A moment of childhood for Syrian refugee children in Jordan
In a tented settlement near the Syrian border, on the outskirts of the Jordanian city of Mafraq, Syrian refugee families continue to rebuild their lives with limited resources and little space for childhood. Through our latest project, Joy that Empowers, the Everyday Refugees Foundation visited the community to support more than 100 children aged 2 to 10.
We distributed hundreds of school bags, educational materials and toys — gifts that carry real value for children with limited access to learning or play. As we arrived, the children gathered quickly, watching closely and waiting with anticipation. Balloons, sweets and playful moments added to the atmosphere, turning an ordinary afternoon into something lively and memorable. Each child received a school bag and a toy of their own, sparking excitement and a true sense of celebration throughout the settlement.
Parents gathered outside the tents, smiling as they watched their children wearing their new school bags and playing with their new toys. Laughter filled the air — a sound that softens the hardships of everyday life.
Among the parents was Syrian refugee Faizeh Abdulkareem, a 36-year-old mother who fled Deir ez-Zor in 2014 and has lived in this settlement ever since. She told us with pride, “These bags will encourage my children to study and go to school prepared.”
Nearby sat Fouad Aldodi, a 30-year-old father from the Syrian city of Al-Hasakah who is visually disabled. Surrounded by his daughters, Ayleen and Hadeel, he smiled as they played with their dolls:“Thank you for bringing joy to us parents and to our children. Living here makes you forget these precious moments.”
Lawrence, 11 years old, was just a baby when his parents fled Syria. The moment he received his school bag, educational materials and a football, he ran off to play — filling the ground with energy.
Aseel, a 12-year-old girl from Syria, shared her happiness about finally having a real school bag rather than a plastic one she used to carry to class.
After receiving their items, many children rushed home to place their school bags safely in their tents — then immediately returned outside to play with their new toys, filling the settlement with joy long after we left.
Joy plays an essential role in a child’s well-being. Positive experiences help reduce stress, encourage curiosity and strengthen emotional resilience. For children living in prolonged uncertainty, moments of play can restore balance and offer a glimpse of normality often missing in daily life. It is not about the gifts — it is about making space for a healthy childhood to exist, even in challenging circumstances.
For years, the Everyday Refugees Foundation has supported this same community through a series of practical initiatives responding to their evolving needs. Little Smiles brought early learning materials; Warm and Healthy and Safe and Healthy provided winter clothing, hygiene essentials and medical support; Beat the Cold helped families endure freezing temperatures; and Cooler Summer offered relief during extreme heat. With each project, our relationship with the families has deepened, and our understanding of their daily challenges has grown.
Joy that Empowers reflects our continued commitment to meaningful support. By creating opportunities for play and learning, we help empower displaced children and their families — reminding them that their well-being matters, and that joy has a role even here, even now.
If you wish to get involved and support, donate here: https://everydayrefugees.org/help
