Refugee children find science fun after enjoying 1001 Meals sessions
***
Note: Schools in refugee camps are closed in a bid to protect children and to fight COVID-19. Surveys mentioned in this story and photos were taken before school closures.
***
London, 20 June 2020- On World Refugee Day, we celebrate the strength, courage and resilience of millions of refugees around the world.
One of the objectives of the 1001 Meals programme is to present lesser-known stories of role-models from refugee children’s own cultures, such as the 11th century pioneer Ibn al-Haytham. An exciting story that promotes the importance of the pursuit of learning, patience and perseverance. These are key values that build feelings of self-confidence, pride and hope and that help children express themselves positively.
In a programme assessment conducted earlier this year in two of the Zaatari Refugee Camp schools where 1001 Meals sessions were organised, 89% of students surveyed agreed that they started finding that science classes could be fun. Almost all students thought of Ibn al-Haytham as a role-model and reported that they would like to become scientists when the grow up to help make discoveries to benefit future generations. Also 9 in 10 children agreed that they want to have the strength and determination to overcome challenges just as Ibn al-Haytham did.
Through its partnership with the World Food Programme in Jordan to run the 1001 Meals programme, 1001inventions is committed to supporting the holistic wellbeing of Syrian refugees by providing thousands of children with nutritious meals as well as opportunities to spark their interest and curiosity in learning. 1001 Meals also empowers Syrian adults by providing them with economic opportunities to build their capacities.
You too can make a difference in a refugee child’s life today by supporting the World Food Programme deliver healthy meals to vulnerable children. Download the ShareTheMeal app — select to join the “#1001Meals” Team — and with just a tap you can donate to “share the meal” with a child in need. Donations to World Food Programme – WFP are also possible through: https://donatenow.wfp.org.
#1001Meals / www.1001meals.org
www.facebook.com/1001meals/
www.twitter.com/1001meals
About 1001 Meals
The 1001 Meals initiative is a partnership between the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and 1001 Inventions organisation. It inspires creativity, curiosity and hope among vulnerable children deprived of crucial opportunities for meaningful engagement to support their physical, emotional and intellectual wellbeing.
1001 Meals team transforms makeshift classrooms in refugee camps into an inspiring space for the children to enjoy an exciting educational experience. Thousands of children are introduced to introduced to scientific concepts through stories of lesser-known pioneers from a historical golden age of science and innovation that occurred in the Middle East.
About United Nations World Food Programme
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives worldwide, provides 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.
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 exhibits, short films, live shows, books and classroom learning materials that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.
