For years, this space in Iraq has given refugee kids a chance to play, learn, and heal from the trauma of war.
Now it’s in danger of closing its doors, as the world loses interest in the plight of refugees. While others move on, we’re digging in. Help keep this safe space for children open, and ensure 1,000 refugee kids have a safe place to just be kids again.
This safe space is located in northern Iraq, in a camp for Syrian refugees who fled the war in their homeland. The space has been open ever since refugees first started pouring into this camp.
The space serves the emotional and developmental needs of children who’ve suffered the trauma of war. Children can participate in therapeutic art, games, sports, and English classes. They also receive care from trained therapists. Most of all, this space gives them a chance to be kids again.
Many large agencies who cared for these families in the early days of the refugee crisis have scaled back or pulled out, including the organization that originally funded this space. We are stepping in to ensure it does not close its doors.
It takes $20 per child, per month to ensure this space continues to provide safety, care, and support for the children who depend on it.
We’ve been working in this refugee camp for more than three years—it’s like a second home to many of us. In fact, it was the safe space that got us started here.
The friends who run this space recognized that poverty was a significant cause of stress for the children they served, and they asked if we could help provide income opportunities for parents. Since then, we’ve helped families all over this camp launch their own businesses so they can choose dignity over dependance.
We are joining hands with this space to ensure that the youngest refugees in this camp have what they need to thrive, too.
