(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Amman, Dec. 2 (Petra) -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has partnered with the award-winning 1001 Inventions organisation to launch "1001 Meals", which offers Syrian children in refugee camps access to healthy meals coupled with valuable learning opportunities to improve wellbeing.
A WFP press release said the initiative will deliver a series of fun and engaging events held in refugee camps across Jordan starting with the Azraq camp with activities that launched today. Many of the 30,000 children living in Jordan's refugee camps were either born or raised in the camps where only basic education is available in makeshift schools that lack facilities and electricity.
Each "1001 Meals" event will combine fun educational experiences produced by 1001 Inventions along with WFP nutritious meals prepared by Syrian women working in WFP's "Healthy Kitchens."
"We are combining meals with learning, which presents an exciting opportunity to improve wellbeing for children in camps," said Sarah Gordon-Gibson, WFP Country Director in Jordan.
"WFP's Healthy Meals project provides nutritious meals to children at schools. Meals consist of freshly baked pastries, a fresh vegetable and a seasonal fruit. It also aims to create employment opportunities for Syrian women who prepare, bake and pack the meals, using ingredients sourced from local suppliers."
The step aims to help feed children and also inspire creativity, curiosity and hope through story-telling about the lesser known pioneers from a historical golden age of science and innovation that occurred in the Middle East.
From the 7th century onwards, in early Muslim Civilisation, men and women of different faiths and cultures rose up to the challenges of their times and made contributions that have had a positive impact on the world.
Through films, live shows and hands-on activities produced by 1001 Inventions, children will be introduced to diverse themes in science by pioneers from their own cultures including Al-Jahiz, the Banu Musa brothers, Al-Zahrawi, Jabir Ibn Hayyan and Ibn al-Haytham who made important discoveries in our understanding of light science.
Ahmed Salim, 1001 Inventions Co-Founder and Managing Director said: "Last year we organised a pilot project in the Azraq camp that engaged 2,300 children. It was a huge success helping build refugee children's love for learning and improving self-esteem, psychological wellbeing, determination and hope for a better future. 1001 Inventions is now delighted to have the opportunity to expand the initiative to engage tens of thousands more children through '1001 Meals' and our exciting partnership with the World Food Programme."
Young adult refugees and those with previous teaching experience are being recruited and trained to support the delivery of '1001 Meals'. The initiative aims to help build their capacity while providing them with economic opportunities.
To support the initiative, download the ShareTheMeal app (select to join the "#1001Meals" Team) on smartphones where just $0.50 can help "share the meal" with a child in need.
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.
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.
The organisation 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 exhibits, short films, live shows, books and classroom learning materials that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.
YK
02/12/2018 16:01:48
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