1001 Meals Story

A Syrian mother shares her impressions supporting 1001 Meals at Azraq camp

“I see myself in Ibn al-Haytham,” Noor said, her voice revealing hope. “How at first he was weak but he remained patient until he was able to stand on his feet again. He was determined and made important discoveries and became a scientist as big as the world.” This is how Noor, one of the Syrians supporting 1001 Meals initiative in Azraq refugee camp, expressed impressions about her experience.

Noor left her town in Syria to Rukban camp at the border with Jordan. In April 2016 she was transferred to Jordan’s Azraq refugee camp together with her two children, Farah and Zakariya. One month later, her parents and siblings arrived.

Noor together with the 1001 Meals team at Azraq refugee camp

In her home country, Syria, upon graduating high school, Noor didn’t get the chance to pursue higher education so she opened a store where she sold clothes and through it, provided for her two children, both of whom have special needs. For one year now, the soon-to-be mother of three had been searching for work at the Azraq refugee camp. Supporting the 1001 Meals programme was the first opportunity that came her way.

Noor, like many other Syrian women displaced from their homes, is making every effort to defy the hardship of living in a refugee camp and provide the best environment possible for her children. Noor said she would nurture her children with the values she learned from Ibn al-Haytham … in her own words:

“even if one is very sad, one must remain patient, determined and hopeful. We must express ourselves and move forward.”

Supporting the delivery of 1001 Meals in Azraq camp schools has been “a wonderful experience” according to Noor.

“Although I studied in Syria for 12 years, I learned much about science through the 1001 Meals programme that I didn’t know from before. I learned about how light reflects, for example, and about Ibn al-Haytham’s Albeit Almuzlim (camera obscura).”

Noor, whose own name means “light” in Arabic, was delighted to see the children engaged with the activities and learning about light and vision. She felt they benefited a lot from the experience and greatly enjoyed it; so much so, that the children were creating their own camera obscura! With a shy smile Noor concludes saying:

“I hope 1001 Meals would remain running so I could continue to be part of this remarkable programme.”

About 1001 Meals:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the award-winning 1001 Inventions organisation launched the 1001 Meals initiative to offer Syrian children in refugee camps access to healthy meals coupled with valuable learning opportunities to improve wellbeing.

Each 1001 Meals event combines fun educational experiences produced by 1001 Inventions along with WFP nutritious meals prepared by Syrian women working in WFP’s ‘Healthy Kitchens’.

Young adult refugees are being recruited and trained to support the delivery of 1001 Meals activities. The initiative aims to help build their capacity and boost their self-esteem while providing them with economic opportunities and hope for a better future.

To help refugee children and families by giving them hope for a better future while supporting their pursuit of learning and improved nutrition, download the ShareTheMeal app on your smartphone and select the “#1001Meals” Team. With just a tap you can donate US$0.50 to “share the meal” with a child in need.

#1001Meals / www.1001meals.org
https://www.facebook.com/1001meals/
https://twitter.com/1001meals

1001 Meals Wide Banner

About United Nations World Food Programme

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives worldwide, provide food assistance to more than 90 million people in 84 countries annually by delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. In addition to their efforts in relief and rehabilitation, development aid and special operations.

Since 1964, WFP has been present in Jordan working with the Jordanian government, as well as international and local organizations, to create economic and livelihood opportunities for food insecure and vulnerable communities.

WFP’s operations have also supported the government in providing food assistance for half a million Syrian refugees in camps and in the host community.  WFP has also been offering vocational training opportunities and on-the-job training to develop human capacities and improve employability for targeted vulnerable Jordanians and allow the opportunity for the current influx of Syrians to be self-sufficient.

www1.wfp.org/countries/jordan

 About 1001 Inventions

1001 Inventions is an award-winning, British based organization that creates international educational campaigns and engaging transmedia productions aiming to raise awareness of the contributions to innovation, technology and culture from the golden age of science in Muslim Civilisation.

1001 Inventions has engaged with over 400 million people across the globe working with a network of international partners, including UNESCO, National Geographic and leading academics to produce interactive exhibitsshort films, live shows, books and classroom learning materials that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.

www.1001inventions.com