The volunteers who made our Za'atari ideas possible over the past week also live in the refugee camp themselves. Every day, they volunteer at the Youth Center or out in the communities. We knew we wanted to say thanks and do something special for this incredible team. One night, we gathered the whole team together for an Iftar dinner to break the daily Ramadan fast. Then each volunteer was presented with personalized Changemakers chocolate! Staff coordinator Manar had nothing but praise for this team and their work, and knew the party was a special recognition of what they continue to do every day to better their community. “Being generous and helpful, and to feel it with others – this is part of Ramadan and is very much related to being Changemakers! It doesn’t matter who or where you are – we are all human.” During our time in Za'atari, we've met truly incredible people, families, volunteers, and staff who believe in each other - who know that sometimes, it's the … [Read more...] about Saying Thanks

Sometimes the best ideas for change are those that make regular daily tasks simpler. And that’s what we heard today when we delivered two refrigerators to families that had been without. First we met Eman Al Ali. She lives with her brother and mother, who has asthma. She works outside the home and also helps with chores around the house. Because they don’t have a refrigerator in their home, Eman goes to the market often to get fresh food to be eaten before it spoils. With the new refrigerator, she is able to buy more food in one shopping trip. The refrigerator also keeps her mother’s medicine cool. And in the heat of Zaa’tari Camp, water chilled in the fridge is also valued. “For my mother’s Asthma I use the cold water to put it on a cloth and to wet her face and nose to help her breathe better.” Abd Alkareem was also looking for a solution to help his family eat fresher food, especially his youngest daughter, whose stomach can’t tolerate powdered milk. “Without a … [Read more...] about The Little Things

Yesterday, we saw how Rola’s dream came true with the simple investment in her cooking business. And today we’re featuring another Changemaker whose work out of her home is building her skills and confidence in her business. Meet Waed, a successful cook that was having problems building her business to a bigger scale. “I already cook for small gatherings and events, but having so few things to work with prevented me from getting more done and taking bigger orders.” Waed wanted to dream big. Her husband heard a local NGO was hosting food for 100 people and encouraged Waed to prepare the meal. “I was very afraid in the beginning, but he encouraged me. So I overcame my fear and actually did it! And that was the start.” Getting additional equipment helps build Waed’s business, so she can take on more large-scale projects like a 100-person meal. But it doesn’t stop there! Waed is already thinking about the future and investing more into her business. “I want to have a … [Read more...] about Dreaming Big

Meet Rola. She lives in Za'atari Refugee Settlement, and has the idea to invest in her skills as a cook. “I cook for my family almost every day, and when I help my neighbors I was getting very positive feedback. So I started to think I might be able to invest in my cooking skills.” But she lacked one important thing – cooking implements! Rola has been asked to cook large meals for community gatherings, and had to borrow her pots and utensils to prepare the meal. So today, we delivered to Rola her very own set of equipment. Her new tools has made cooking even more fun – now, she even makes ice cream! But what has really made the difference for Rola is her ability to invest in the future – for herself, her family, and her community. “I always think that I want to be one of the reasons that our circumstances as a family and as a community to get better,” she said. And Rola has even bigger hopes for the future. “I will be able to strengthen my personality and become … [Read more...] about Meet Rola

Haytham has been living in Za’atari Refugee Camp with his family ever since it was established five years ago. But the only job he could find to support his wife and three children was doing back-breaking work in the tomato fields with his son. “Life has been so hard on this man!" said Manar, the coordinator the Youth Center. "He knocked on as many doors as he could to find a decent job, but nothing ever turned up.” His kids even had to occasionally stop going to school because he couldn’t provide for their basic needs, like clothing, school supplies, and food. The team in Jordan had an idea. Why not help Haytham set up a small shop inside the camp, so he could better provide for his family? This small amount of income will also ensure his children can stay in school. His eldest son is now preparing to take final exams for graduation, and we’re hopeful this shop will ensure he can focus on passing the exams and looking toward the future. Such a big return on a … [Read more...] about One Stop Shop

Meet Mohamad. He’s 15 years old and the eldest his four brothers and sisters. His father passed away from a heart attack three months ago, leaving the family with nothing. Mohamad was attending our Youth Center in the camp regularly, but then he suddenly stopped showing up. We went to find him and found out that he had to start working in the tomato fields after school to support his family after his father died. We’ve been asking ourselves - how can we help Mohamad without putting him and his family at risk? Ala’a, one of the Youth Center mentors, suggested setting up a shop beside their home. This way, the older sons and mom can sell items safely and close to home. “We wanted to protect Mohamad and the other boys," said Ala'a. "They will lose everything if they don’t have help. And we don’t want them to work so far from home where they will face potential abuse and exploitation." “This idea will greatly protect Mohamad and his brothers from child labor," said … [Read more...] about Meet Mohamad

Afaf Alsalem is a single mom with five kids. She lost her husband in Syria, and has been trying to support her family on her own ever since. Jobs are difficult to come by in refugee camps, and it can be even more difficult for women to work outside of the home, especially when there are small children. She was working as a cleaner for a while, but the work was unpredictable and filled with worry. “When I work as a cleaning lady," she said, "I have to leave my children alone. I feel like I’m always ready for the worst. I get stressed out when I’m not with them." Afaf was the perfect candidate to open her own little shop in front of her caravan - she just needed the start-up capital. So we got to work getting Afaf’s shop all set up. “This is a great transformation in my life to have a shop nearly inside my own house!" she said. "I don’t have to leave my kids anymore.” … [Read more...] about The Mom-preneur

Meet Zaher and Mohamad. They’re parents, dedicated volunteers, and students at a local university just outside of the Zaatari Refugee Camp. Before the war started, they were students in Syria heading towards a bright future. But this all changed when they became refugees in Jordan. Zaher and Mohamad are among the lucky ones who’ve been able to continue university as refugee - the vast majority of Syrians will never be able to return to higher education. But they were missing one simple, but critical tool that every college student needs - a laptop. We saw an opportunity to make an easy investment in both their educations and futures. “This will make studying and succeeding in school so much easier," said Zaher. "These days not having a laptop is like not having a pencil. Having the ability to write, research, and save my files in one place makes my heart jump!” … [Read more...] about A Tool for Success

Nadine left her hometown of Dera’a, Syria with her husband Mohanad in 2013. The day they left was the hardest of their lives. "I arrived bringing only my soul and my childhood memories," Nadine said describing her first moments arriving in the Za'atari Refugee Camp. "When I first saw the tents, I felt like my life had stopped." That was nearly five years ago. Today, Nadine and her husband are on our core team of visionary leaders at our Youth Center in Za'atari Refugee Camp in Jordan. Nadine is a true Changemaker, and, in turn, we wanted to help her and Mohanad out with a basic, but important need. Most of the caravans in the camp aren’t equipped with electricity. This means they don’t have any light after dark, can’t plug in a fan to cool down in the hot summers, or keep food and drink fresh. "I always thought of electricity as a basic need," said Nadine, "but we don’t have it in the camp because it’s expensive and difficult to connect.” But we had an idea! Solar … [Read more...] about Solar Powered

We're back in Za'atari Camp in Jordan for the next few days with our team of Syrian Changemakers! The guys and girls who lead the Youth Center in Za'atari are used to serving other people – but they typically do so through their roles as teachers, coaches, and managers. It doesn't always look like making an impact for one person. "There is a difference between seeing your impact as a Changemaker in a communal versus an individual way," said Georgie Nink of our partner Questscope. So when we asked for the team's ideas for change - big or small - they were so excited to dig in and make a difference. Mohamed and Ahmed are young artists who don't have the resources to purchase their own art supplies. The team saw their chance to make a big difference in their lives - with a set of art and calligraphy supplies! Having a creative outlet is important for everyone, but especially in the harsh environment of a refugee camp. Now Mohamed and Ahmed can continue their healing … [Read more...] about Creative Expressions