Campaign to ‘feed minds’ of 1.2million Syrian refugee children


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten days of fun and activities will have a serious message at its heart – that Syrian refugee children need education or they face becoming a lost generation.

The UAE-based Big Heart Campaign is urging donors to “feed the minds” of more than 1.2million refugee children.

Since its launch in June 2013, the initiative has provided lifesaving medical interventions for more than 265,000 Syrian refugees and given food and money to 400,000 others.

Now the Big Heart campaign is moving into a third phase, which will focus on education. A 10-day event will be held from February 10-20  at Dubai Mall’s Souq Arena.

Called No Lost Generation – Journey of Hope, it will feature activities for children and adults, as well as special appearances by celebrity supporters.

Patron of the Big Heart Campaign is Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Syrian Refugee Children. Three-quarters of the 2.4million Syrian refugees registered with HNRC, the United Nations refugee charity, are women and children.

The Warm Hearts winter campaign raised funds for shelters, blankets and clothing and saved hundreds of thousands of refugees from sub-zero temperatures in Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher said the campaign needs to keep evolving to meet the needs of refugees.

She added: “Our ever-supportive donors have helped us to feed and shelter refugees but now it’s time to feed their minds through education.

“Children are born with a hunger for knowledge and a thirst to satisfy their endless curiosity, so education is just as vital as the air they breathe. Let our big hearts beat as one and let us work together to turn young refugees into future humanitarians.”

The education phase of the Big Heart Campaign will continue until May 7. See the poster on this page for details of how to donate.