Syrian kids briefly escape reality through games

Details

Description

(1 Sep 2022) SYRIA GAMES

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 3:07
  
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Idlib, Syria - 24 August 2022
1. Exterior of Karm al-Zaytoun camp
2. Various of children playing games
3. Children playing mancala
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Moussa Afara, winner of mancala game competition:
"I came to Karm al-Zaytoun camp to participate in games that stimulate the mind and require intelligence. Thank God, I beat three people and got the first place in the mancala game. I felt very good. My first opponent was older which made me worry that he will beat me. I decided not to care if the opponent is older or younger. I cared about focusing on winning and I beat one opponent after the other until I won first place, thank God."
5. Various of children playing
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ibrahim Sermini, coordinator at Violet humanitarian organization: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++
"The children in camps are not in settings that encourage games and fun, especially because they experience a harsh life both in the summer and the winter. We target these children through our activities that include brain games. We are trying to stimulate their minds and keep them focused. This is the main goal of these games. We are hoping that one day these children will participate in tournaments abroad."
7. Various of children playing puzzle game
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jalila al-Omar, winner of puzzle game:
"I played the Equilibrio (puzzle) game. I beat my opponent. I was awarded and honored at the end."
9. Various of children playing
10. Awards and trophies
11. Various of award and trophies getting handed out, children cheering and celebrating
LEADIN:
For a brief moment, Syrian children from camps in the Idlib countryside got to escape the tough reality they face by competing in board and puzzle games.
Over 100 children from 10 camps went head-to-head in a competition featuring six of these games.
STORYLINE:
Syrian children from different camps in the Idlib countryside left everything behind for a moment and poured all their concentration into winning games that stimulate the mind.
The children took part in a competition featuring six games including board games such as mancala and puzzle games.
The winners were celebrated and handed trophies in a small but cheerful ceremony.
"My first opponent was older which made me worry that he will beat me. I decided not to care if the opponent is older or younger," said Moussa Afara, the winner in one of the games.
"I cared about focusing on winning and I beat one opponent after the other," he added.
The first and second place winners were recognized in each game in the contest that brought together 130 children from various camps.
The event was organized by Violet, a humanitarian organization, and was held in Karm al-Zaytoun camp.
These children live in a setting that is not conducive for fun activities because they experience a harsh life in the camps all year long, said Ibrahim Sermini, a coordinator at Violet.
"We are trying to stimulate their minds and keep them focused. This is the main goal of these games," he added.
AP video shot by Ghaith Al Sayed
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