(MENAFN- Jordan Times) ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP — Amal Khatib, a 15-year-old Syrian living in Zaatari camp, on Wednesday got to meet her favourite actor.
Described as her 'source of inspiration', actor Ahmed Helmy immediately put a smile on Khatib's face. 'I was waiting for this chance to meet him. I am a big fan of his,' she said.
She was among a number of Syrian children who had a chance to show the Egyptian actor, writer and producer their talent and works of art at Zaatari camp.
A renowned actor in both Jordan and the Arab world, Helmy, who is a UNICEF ambassador, paid a visit to the camp and Jordan for the first time.
'No one wants to be inside a camp or lose their home, but I saw the very positive energy of refugees and the workers inside the camp,' he told reporters during his visit.
'I was afraid that when I came I would see people just living, but I was surprised that there were schools, people playing football and art being taught and music is played,' he added.
'Many thanks to the Jordanian government for the support and security that it provides,' he said.
Helmy also commended the works of art created by the children.
'I learned that children were painting [scenes of] wars and destruction, now I see [scenes of] love and names of streets being shown in these paintings,' he added.
Helmy also promised to visit the camp again, adding that there was a chance to have children from the camp on his show.
The UNICEF Egypt ambassador was also briefed on how the provision of water to households in the camp has vastly improved the lives of families thanks to a wastewater treatment facility, according to a statement from UNICEF.
'We are very grateful to UNICEF ambassador Ahmad Helmy for shining a spotlight on the needs of Syrian refugee and other vulnerable children in Jordan, as well as the urgent need to sustain international support for critical services, including WASH, education and social protection,' Robert Jenkins, UNICEF Jordan representative, said in the statement.
'Abject conditions produce talented people, and these conditions will equip them to make them able to continue their life and become talented and stronger,' he said.
MENAFN0112201800280000ID1097771077
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.