Princess Basma visits Zaatari refugee camp

AMMAN — Chairperson of Save the Children Jordan (SCJ), HRH Princess Basma on Tuesday visited programmes that support Syrian refugees living in Zaatari Camp, according to a statement from the organisation. 

She was accompanied by Muna Idrees, SCJ vice chairperson for strategies and programmes affairs.

Save the Children Jordan CEO, Rania Malki gave a briefing about the role of the organisation in improving the livelihoods of refugees, especially in education.

She also highlighted the services provided by SCJ in education, protection and poverty since the establishment of the camp since 2012 and until now, besides serving children all over Jordan.

The princess visited an Early Learning Centre (ELC) which caters for 1,500 children aged 3-4. The programmes provide children with education and care services that aim to better prepare them transition to formal schools, according to the statement. 

ELCs use interactive learning approaches not only with the children but also with their parents who benefit from awareness sessions on positive parenting skills. 

Princess Basma visited one of the organisation’s Drop-In-Centres activities that focus on combating child labour of boys aged between 10-17 years. 

She also called in at the Multi Activity Centre for children and adolescents who benefitted from age-appropriate designed programmes including education, psychosocial support, life skills and vocational trainings for children in labour between 10-17 years old.

Princess Basma expressed her sincere admiration of the programmes implemented by Save the Children Jordan which are mainly aimed at improving the lives of children especially in education, the statement said.

During her talk with the mothers and daughters in the Multi-Activity Centre, Princess Basma voiced hope and pride in the two generations. She told them: “You are true role models of courage, strength and pure humanity. Despite the circumstances surrounding you, you remain adamant on pursuing and benefiting from the educational and training programmes offered here [by SCJ] to help your families.”

“What I saw today will stay forever in my heart," she said, expressing her admiration and respect for the refugees' resilience.