Spotlight on our project for vulnerable children

After launching earlier this year, our Child Protection project in partnership with UNHCR is coming on very well.

 The project sees us working together to protect vulnerable children from violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination, while providing them with access to necessary support services and enhancing their social and emotional wellbeing.

As part of the project, the Lotus Flower is supporting and building the capacity of three community-based organisations – ROJ, Gashbun and Hevi – to provide activities for vulnerable refugee and asylum seeker children from Syrian and non-Syrian backgrounds.

A music session with ROJ

As you can see in these photos – which the children’s parents have given us full permission to share – activities include games and sports, art, music and singing.

As an organisation, Gashbun’s aim is to ensure the protection, security and dignity of children with special needs and those in poor living conditions. This project is all about ensuring these children take part in activities without discrimination, and that they are empowered to cope with daily life in the community and participate in many of the same social activities as their peers.

Gashbun focuses on young people with special needs

All children are treated equally at Gashbun

Meanwhile, the community-based organisation Hevi works to enhance the lives, educational skills and wellbeing of Syrian refugee children and youths living in Domiz 2 camp, through activities which are held in a safe and friendly centre.

Fun and games with Hevi organisation

And for ROJ, the objective is to provide recreation and awareness, informal education and child protection activities in a safe, welcoming space for young Syrian refugees living in Domiz 1 camp.

Some tasty treats with ROJ

Before some outdoors learning

This large-scale project also sees us offering psychosocial support to at-risk children and their parents or caregivers, with priority given to those with specific mental health or protection concerns. This support includes activities such as art therapy, music and sport, as well as stress and anxiety management, healing strategies and a focus on building positive relationships.

Another part of the project sees us providing case management for at-risk children, to ensure they receive access to required services – such as emergency cash assistance and medical services. In addition, the project includes capacity-building training on Child Protection measures for government staff and other community organisations and partners.

It’s a project we’re incredibly proud to be working on, and we’re also very grateful for the productive and positive partnerships we’ve established so far…