~~Enthusiastic young students meet Bilal Rabie Al Bodour, UAE Ambassador to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, during their trip 

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates- April 7, 2016: A group of 16 Zayed University female students embarked on a six-day journey of a lifetime to bring a smile to vulnerable and less privileged Syrian refugees in Jordan.  

‘Bring A Smile’ project was part of Zayed University’s Community Enhancement Center service-learning activities. The Center, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, was founded on the principle of social responsibility through leadership service action projects both nationally and internationally.

Funded by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the trip also saw a tremendous support from the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), who helped Zayed University volunteers to deliver food, clothes and supplies to the Zaatari refugee camp, hold activities and workshops in the Mrajeeb Al Fhood Emirati -Jordanian camp, which is located 20 kilometers east of Zarqa in Jordan.

Bushra Mohamed Al Najjar, Zayed University accounting student, leader and creator of “Bring A Smile” service-learning project, aimed at targeting 300 children and residents in Al Fhood refugee camp. However, Bushra and her team’s goals exceeded the expectations. She with Afra Ali Al Mutairi, co-team leader, and other team members were able to reach 800 children and even more residents with the support of the Emirates Red Crescent.

Sara Lajam, Ambassador of  ‘Bring A Smile’ project, said: “It was an experience of  a lifetime that I will never forget. The people we met showed me how to be resilient in a world that is not always in their favor. The children were beautiful and happy despite their hardships. I will forever keep their generosity in my heart and try to teach my future kids the same.”

“The work of the Emirates Red Crescent has inspired a new generation of volunteers to give more, do better and be better,” she added.

The first day of this exciting journey began with a tour, which aimed at providing Zayed University students with essential knowledge needed to gain better understanding of the scope of the services offered by the Emirates Red Crescent and to realize what life inside UAE Jordanian refugee camps is like.

Zayed University students were surprised to see that every aspect of life in the camp has been carefully planned, attention to details and care provided for refugees were staggering. 

At the outset of the journey, enthusiastic young students were impressed by the structure and infrastructure of the camps. They pointed out that the  Emirates Red Crescent has structured the camp in a way to maximize normalcy for the vulnerable families and provide each individual with a sense of dignity.

“The camp is infused with an extraordinary sense of community,” Zayed University volunteers said.

“Families welcomed us with open arms and we were warmly greeted everywhere we went, both our planned and unplanned stops. I was surprised after visiting the refugee camp at how satisfied they are with their lives. I am so grateful for the things and the life that I have after spending a quality time with them,” Maitha Al Shehi, Ambassador of ‘Bring A Smile’ project, added.

Furthermore, Zayed University volunteered in the emergency room in the Mafraq Hospital, which has provided free medical care, surgeries and medicine to almost 600,000 refugees since 2012.

 “I tried to cheer up the sick people and some of them were so happy to talk to me,” Maitha added.

The trip also allowed students to work with around 26 families in eight of communal kitchens at different refugee camps. Each kitchen was staffed with at least two of ‘Bring A Smile’ ambassadors, who assisted families in their lunch preparations and hosted a friendly cooking competition.

During the trip, young female students from Zayed University were able to engage in another amazing experience. They distributed food, clothes and other supplies to refugees in the Zaatari camp, which was first opened in 2012 and located 10 kilometers east of Mafraq, to host Syrians fleeing the violence of the ongoing Syrian civil war that erupted in 2011.

“We came with the mission of bringing a smile to the residents, but they touched us so deeply and brought both smile and hope to us that will remain forever etched in all our hearts,” Safa Aljneibi, a Zayed University student, said. 

At the end of their trip, Zayed University students had the opportunity to meet with the UAE Ambassador to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Bilal Rabie Al Bodour.