If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.

– Alphonse de Lamartine

You know, those of us who leave our homes in the morning and expect to find them there when we go back – it’s hard for us to understand what the experience of a refugee might be like. Naomi Shihab Nye

#Azraq #refugees #syriacrisis #jordan #childrenofsyria #humanity #azraqrefugees

Sand StormWorld Vision maintains a comprehensive waste management programme in Azraq Refugee Camp, ranging from solid waste management, to trash collection with the support of Syrian incentive based volunteers. 15 to 20 tonnes of trash is collected and some recycled everyday.

Today, I was with World Vision Korea to tell the story of the programme and these workers. Suddenly, a sand and hail storm rose upon us… with @dailylife.of.mine #azraqrefugeecamp #azraq #jordan #syria #humanitarian #syriacrisis #worldvision #worldvisionkorea

Yesterday, I was filming one of World Vision’s educational programme in the outskirts of Amman. The programme aims to empower Syrian refugee children and youth within Jordan’s host communities by improving their quality of life through active social engagement, integration and participation. This little girl gave me a thank you card after an afternoon together and her classmates. It was profoundly touching.

Peace must prevail in Syria. Have a thought, a prayer or spare a donation in support of such projects which are making a real difference in the life of these kids.

World Vision works to serve, first and foremost, the children, they see in them a reflection of the bright possibilities of tomorrow.

It’s an opportunity to thrive not simply survive. And now is the time!

Click to view the 5 parts documentary Dare to Believe, the story of World Vision in West Africa

Eid ul Adha: Dakar, early morning after the storm. To my Muslims friends, Eid Mubarak!

“If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire.”

― George Monbiot

Central African Republic – June 2015

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”

— John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

The photo was lost on the pavement. It was covered by a fine layer of dust which I wiped off with my sleeve. At first, I felt amused by the outfit of the man. Everything was so grandiosely formal. I looked around to see if anyone was looking for it. The road – next to my Dakar office — was buzzing with people rushing home for the weekend. A memory lost among the crowd, I felt sad for whoever misplaced it. I looked at it one more time, before returning it to the street. I placed it against a wall to be protected but also to be seen. A memory lost on a pavement. I hope it was found before nightfall.