By: Rob Sixsmith
DAMASCUS, 24 January 2010- UNICEF fundraisers go to extraordinary lengths to help nudge UNICEF towards the goal of alleviating child hardship.
And length is something Andreas, Øyvind and JØrn, three intrepid UNICEF fundraisers from Norway, know a little about - cycling roughly 20,000 kilometres as part of an ambitious journey from Norway to South Africa in a bid to raise $75,000 for UNICEF education projects.
Six months into their trip, and passing through the Syrian Arabic Republic, the team took time to rest their weary limbs and visit a UNICEF funded Child Friendly Space in Qudsaya, a sprawling Iraqi refugee suburb on the outskirts of Damascus.
“Since we are cycling to raise money for UNICEF, it’s inspiring to actually go to see UNICEF work,” remarked team member Andreas.
Credit: UNICEF/SYR09653/Razan Rashidi
Caption: Norwegian cyclists posing for photos with the kids of Qudsaya’s Child Friendly Space, January 2010
THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS
As with these Norwegian journeymen, the road to Damascus has long exerted a powerful grip on the imagination of travellers and welcomed many throughout history.
Perhaps the biggest influx came in the form of refugees escaping the 2003 conflagration in Iraq. This number was swelled in subsequent years as the country succumbed to sectarian violence.
Touring the frenetic, joyful refugee project in Qudsaya, the Norwegian team got a sense of the invaluable gains UNICEF and their partners have made on behalf of Iraqi refugees.
Credit: UNICEF/SYR09556/RazanRashidi
Caption: SARC supervisor explains how Iraqi refugee children are supported, Syria, January 2010
“This project seems to get good results and it’s run very professionally”, said Andreas. “It’s nice to see that it’s possible to really help children even though they had a really difficult past.”
Of the vulnerable that came, perhaps most at risk were the young. Ill-equipped to deal with the maelstrom that engulfed their lives, they were in danger of becoming Iraq’s lost generation.
Through centres such as this in Qudsaya, UNICEF, and their partners have worked to stabilise the existence of young refugees. They offer a safe space in which to play and create.
“These spaces serve as a referral point where the most vulnerable cases are identified for specialised psychosocial support” noted Dr Theodora Tsovili, Project Manager for UNICEF Syria. “We appreciate the efforts of all UNICEF fundraisers as they reflect the international community’s support of our work”, she added.
Credit: UNICEF/SYR09628/RazanRashidi
Caption: SARC volunteer and Iraqi children in Qudsaya Child Friendly Space, January 2010
BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS
Traversing Finland, Russia and Turkey, the Norwegians have already braved floods, snow and wild dogs. They’ve slept in sheds and braved the chaos of the Silk Road – now, much more a dangerous stretch of pounding traffic than a romantic, trade route populated by plodding caravans.
During their visit to the UNICEF / Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) refugee centre in Qudsaya they wowed the centre’s kids and volunteers with tales of their endeavours.
Follow the Norwegian team’s progress at www.bikecape2cape.com. A documentary about their epic will feature on Norwegian television early next year.
Credit: UNICEF/SYR09628/RazanRashidi
Caption: SARC volunteer and Iraqi children in Qudsaya Child Friendly Space, January 2010
