With graceful movements reminiscent of the true meaning of childhood, children presented 20 artistic, musical, and theatrical performances. These children, who completed six months of training in arts, theater, music, and English language, celebrated their achievements as part of the “Investing in the Future” project which focuses on the right of refugees and minorities and host communities to access inclusve and quality education.
Under the theme “Every day, a story, an idea, and creativity,” and in celebration of World Refugee Day on June 20th, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) and Vision of Hope International organized a six-day event in collaboration with the Colors of Hope Association (Ghadeer Hadadin), the Shams Sunlight Theater and Folklore team, and Issa Ghattas.
The children’s performances reflected lessons they learned about building self-confidence and utilizing simple artistic tools for self-expression, rejecting bullying and violence. These performances underscored the importance of inclusive education for all children, regardless of their nationalities, economic, social, or legal status. The event highlighted the need for swift responses to meet the needs of these children.
The event featured three activities, beginning with the children’s singing and followed by two theatrical shows, “Expressive Scenes Designed by Children” and “The Toy and Doll Store,” presented by the Shams Sunlight Theater and Folklore team. The celebration culminated with the children’s achievements, turning sorrow into hope and uniting dreams.
The “Colors of Hope” event, in collaboration with visual artist Ghadeer Haddadin, involved the children preparing and presenting their artwork. The event concluded with the “See the World through Our Eyes” activity, where the children’s drawings were exhibited and explained to the audience, including parents and the public.
Parents commended these efforts in providing interactive and educational training for their children, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to build their children’s skills and self-confidence. The project addressed challenges faced by refugees in accessing education, such as transportation difficulties, overcrowded schools, extreme poverty, unemployment, conflicts, and wars. It also addressed issues related to the integration of children with disabilities into the education system.
As 50% of Arab children lack access to education, continuous dialogue and recognition of educational challenges are imperative. Expanding collaborations between civil society, governments, and the private sector, along with a comprehensive approach that includes location, cause, and social protection, are essential to create opportunities for citizens, migrants, and refugees.
“Investing in the Future: Improving Livelihoods and Education for Refugee Minorities within Jordanian Society” project, is implemented by ARDD in partnership with Vision Hope International and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The project aims to provide quality education for everyone and raise awareness of opportunities available to citizens, migrants, and refugees, including Sudanese, Somalis, Yemenis, and Jordanian citizens. The project also supports vocational education programs and equips students with essential knowledge and life skills. This all aligns with ARDD’s education strategy, which considers comprehensive education as a fundamental pillar for poverty alleviation, enhancing protection, enabling positive social transformation, and fostering social cohesion.
