First thing you notice is how remote the location is — some 100 kms east of Amman; 20 kms from Azraq town; 75 kms to Saudi Arabia; 255 kms to Iraq; and 90 kms to the Syrian border — from which its inhabitants fled.
At the same time, the harshness of the setting — a hardscrabble, sprawling 15 square km patch, scratched, etched and stretched out of endless rolling desert.
The perimeter was equally formidable, with security fencing, official patrols, check points and razor wire.
The perimeter was equally formidable, with security fencing, official patrols, check points and razor wire.
While the security situation has its requisite precautions, it underscores the desolate status of those displaced into a neighbouring country by the ravages of unrelenting conflict raging in their homeland: They live as stationary sojourners in lands not their own — as #refugees
(The Al Asraq Refugee Camp in Jordan is indicated in these screenshots, and highlighted by the lower right red tent icon in the last picture here.)
For I am fortunate enough as a Canadian to possess these golden keys.
But as I prepare to board my flight could I leave you with two things?
The first is a promise that I have some truly uplifting elements to share about my experience— things that give me hope & courage.
The second is a request. That you pray for & care enough to help #refugees?
The first is a promise that I have some truly uplifting elements to share about my experience— things that give me hope & courage.
The second is a request. That you pray for & care enough to help #refugees?
Back on solid ground. Let’s carry on into the #refugee facility.
The first place we visited was the hidden hearth of the communities. It is known as the “Healthy Kitchen”, wherein nutritious— even tasty! — meals are made for the camp’s 8,000 schoolchildren in 5 schools each day.
The first place we visited was the hidden hearth of the communities. It is known as the “Healthy Kitchen”, wherein nutritious— even tasty! — meals are made for the camp’s 8,000 schoolchildren in 5 schools each day.
The pastries are baked fresh each morning, with the croissant-like puff options including cheese, pizza — or in this day’s selection, a delicious melange of thyme & cheese.
The produce is fresh and nutritious. Each bag is stamped with the meal’s nutritional values & calories.
The produce is fresh and nutritious. Each bag is stamped with the meal’s nutritional values & calories.
Not only does the Healthy Kitchen provide meals for the community’s children, it also serves as a vital source of #employment, skills training, empowerment & dignity for the 141 #refugees who work in Al Azraq’s two kitchen facilities.
(By the way — isn’t the hairnet / surgical mask combo an epic fashion statement? The things we do for love. :)
The #refugee staff who do an amazing job of running a tight ship in 2 kitchens include:
12 Bakers (yeah, a literal Bakers Dozen)
12 Bakers Assts
28 Cleaners
30 Washers
30 Packers (not Green Bay, but certainly as devoted as their fans)
4 Drivers
4 Supervisors
21 Food Distributors
12 Bakers (yeah, a literal Bakers Dozen)
12 Bakers Assts
28 Cleaners
30 Washers
30 Packers (not Green Bay, but certainly as devoted as their fans)
4 Drivers
4 Supervisors
21 Food Distributors
As testament to the dedication of employees in the @wfp Healthy Kitchens school feeding program for 1000’s of children in schools across Al Asraq & Za’tari #refugee camps in Jordan, I came across this letter posted on the wall by the local @WorldVision #Syria Response Director:
As we wrap the Healthy Kitchen tour to explore another aspect of the camp, the prominent display of such @wfp feedback/hotline posters is an example of accountability systems in place so comments can be registered, concerns & complaints attended — as well as ideas encouraged.
If you venture inside the @ADH102030 funded @WorldVision Early Childhood Education & Life Skills preschool — one of a number of #education centres & #schools inside the Al Azraq #refugee camp — be(e?) prepared for a hive of activity, action and excitement!
The first thing you notice when kids arrive at a #school is whether they are dreading, enduring or excited about the experience.
Well, here’s how these #Syrian #refugee preschoolers approach a typical school day in their @worldvision early childhood education #ECE centre.
Well, here’s how these #Syrian #refugee preschoolers approach a typical school day in their @worldvision early childhood education #ECE centre.
Wonder what these kids were scampering towards? Seems they were jostling for position for a rousing #flashmob rendition — complete with full animation / full action choreography — of...wait for it...
🐻 🐻 The 🐻
🐻 Gummy 🐻
🐻 Bear 🐻 🐻
🐻 Song 🐻 🐻
🐻 🐻 🐻
😎 In French! 😎
🐻 🐻 The 🐻
🐻 Gummy 🐻
🐻 Bear 🐻 🐻
🐻 Song 🐻 🐻
🐻 🐻 🐻
😎 In French! 😎
When my wife (a specialist teacher w/ a MEd. in Educational Psychology) gathered what these #children are experiencing — kids who’ve only ever known displacement, fleeing bullets & bombs in #Syria, or life in a #refugee camp — she remarked
“They are getting their #childhood back”
“They are getting their #childhood back”
Early Childhood Education Centre in Al Azraq #refugee camp I visited this week. 90kms from #Jordan-#Syria border, amidst the harsh winds of a middle eastern desert, it’s a challenging environment to live. Yet devoted @worldvision workers are making it a #special place for kids.
In this @WorldVision project for children in crisis — in a Syrian #refugee camp in #Jordan — @SesameStreet’s #Elmo & #Raya & make a surprise appearance w/ @SesameWorkshop’s #WashUP hygiene initiative.
Dr. Mayada tells me kids love it! Promoting healthy handwashing saves lives.
Dr. Mayada tells me kids love it! Promoting healthy handwashing saves lives.
