I am sure that when people hear about this campaign they will directly ask why is it toys and not food, water, education…etc, I know that children in refugees’ camps need a lot. However, this campaign aims to afford what a lot of organizations and people forget when it comes to a crisis like this. There are a lot of charitable agencies and governmental efforts that are thankfully focusing in nutrition, health and education. Meanwhile, another important life aspect is always neglected; it is joy and happiness.
Actually, creating joy through toys and playing is not a luxurious thing to think of. It is necessary because it practically helps the purpose of education. Imagination through playing is essential for all children’s mental development. Providing them with toys will help promote their thinking and communicating skills.
Many of these children have seen the torture and killing of some of their family members. Those kids lived a frightening moment under the fire and explosions. They faced REAL danger and threats. Syrian children have seen their parents in their weakest moments. Syrian children have lived in a fast, dramatically changing life, from prosperity to poverty and from security to insecurity. Toys will hopefully help to gradually alleviate those bad memories of the war.
Syrian children flee their country and leave their homes with nothing, literally nothing but their memories that totally differ from their reality at the camps of refugees. Don’t you think it is fair enough to help them to forget for some time their severe situation and remember that they are just like all children around the world? Imagine that happened to your kids; wouldn’t you be happy if they got something that they really liked and you got to see a true smile on their faces?