There are 65 million refugees world-wide.  Here is a post written by Pam Goldsmith-Jones(MP) about a Makani Youth Centre in Jordan which she recently visited, sponsored by UNICEF.

Pamela Goldsmith-Jones: Liberal MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea To Sky Country, B.C.Coast:

“Today, I rose in the House of Commons to help raise awareness about the realities faced by people confronted by displacement around the world and about the first hand experience I have had in my most recent travels to Jordan. You can watch my Standing Order-31 (SO-31) and read my speech below.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize Canada’s generous donors to UNICEF, and the work of UNICEF through its 128 Makani youth centres in Jordan. Jordan’s schools cannot accommodate everyone by a long shot. UNICEF Jordan works in partnership with government and civil society to reach the most marginalized and vulnerable children, providing education and psychosocial support services.

I talked to many of these children when I visited a Makani centre in Amman. The children love their teachers. They long to go to regular school. They play soccer. They dream of going to university. They feel safe and secure at the Makani centre.

This year the World Refugee Day campaign is focused on displaced persons. Ban Ki-moon has said, “Refugees are people like anyone else, like you and me. They led ordinary lives before they became displaced, and their biggest dream is to be able to live normally again”.

Together with all members, I would like to thank Canada’s partners in addressing the global refugee crisis.”

Home Page Image Credit: Pam Goldsmith Jones

Video of Pam in the House of Commons Credit: House of Commons Photographer/ Videographer