The Art of Rebuilding Lives

The Olive Tree Programme, a vital initiative by Mosaic, is a network of refugee centres in Jordan dedicated to providing holistic care and support for displaced communities. By working together, these centres amplify their impact, sharing expertise, resources, and ideas to better serve those in need.

Yet, each Olive Tree Centre retains its own unique character, shaped by the dedicated teams that bring them to life. Today, we want to introduce you to one of those remarkable team members who makes our centre at St. Paul’s Church in Ashrafieh an extraordinary place of hope and transformation: Ghadeer.

Refugee children often face unique challenges—displacement, loss of stability, and limited access to formal education leave them especially vulnerable. For these children, a safe and nurturing environment is essential for healing and growth. Teachers like Ghadeer play a vital role in this process, providing not only education but also hope, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

Informal education settings like the Olive Tree Centre are critical, offering a flexible and compassionate approach tailored to each child’s needs. They serve as a lifeline, helping children rebuild their confidence, rediscover their potential, and envision a brighter future. Ghadeer describes how she sees her role at the Olive Tree Centre:

In the darkness when God’s people are forced to migrate, education gives us a sliver of light.

At the Olive Tree Centre in Ashrafieh, we strive to be that light, providing education, creativity, and hope for children who have endured so much. Through drawing, storytelling, and language education, children are not only learning—they’re healing, growing, and rebuilding their hope of a future that they can choose. Ghadeer shares:

They paint a better tomorrow. Drawing is a skill that expresses a child’s feelings through it.

Through art, children find their voices. Through learning Arabic and English, they unlock doors to opportunity. As Ghadeer says: “We make sure to teach children Arabic reading, believing in the abilities and needs of each child.” These refugee children are finding strength, hope, and community. Ghadeer reflects on this journey:

Our journey on this earth is testimony to strength, faith, hope, and the value of life.

Why Refugee Education Cannot Wait

Dedicated teachers, like Ghadeer, are the cornerstone of refugee education, offering stability and hope to children whose lives have been upended by displacement. The challenges are immense: over 70% of refugee children globally lack access to secondary education, and fewer than 50% attend primary school. Alarmingly, only 6% of refugees go on to higher education, compared to the global average of 40%. These figures highlight the critical need for educators who not only teach but inspire, heal, and empower. At the Olive Tree Centre, our teachers provide much more than lessons—they create safe spaces where children can rebuild their confidence, overcome trauma, and dream of a brighter future.

Thank you for making it possible for teachers like Ghadeer to make an impact in the lives of refugee children at our Olive Tree Centres. Your support helps create spaces where education becomes a source of healing, creativity, and hope for refugee children who need it most. Because of you, these young people are not just learning—they are dreaming, growing, and believing in a brighter tomorrow. We are deeply grateful for your partnership, together we are making an enduring difference in their lives.