NEWS: UNICEF Regional Ambassador to the Middle East and North Africa Zade Dirani Visits Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan

NEWS:

Fuente: UNICEF MENA Regional Office

Agradecimiento: Lic. Ana Teresa Delgado de Marín

Foto. Cortesía

@delgadoanat @UNICEFmena

AMMAN, 21 August 2016– Accompanied by a grand piano, newly appointed UNICEF Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa, Zade Dirani, made his first field visit today to Za’atari refugee camp and nearby town of Mafraq to bring music and a message of hope to children and youth, including those who have fled war and violence in Syria.

“Music has the amazing ability to transcend borders and bring us together around the beauty of the human spirit,” said Dirani, a world famous Jordanian pianist who was appointed last week UNICEF Regional Ambassador. “I wanted to bring my music to children and youth – today and in the months to come – as a way to engage them and become a form of therapy for those who have witnessed things that no child should ever experience.”

In Za’atari, Dirani visited a UNICEF supported “Makani” centre, which provides learning opportunities, life skills and psychological support to children and youth. Some 300 children and adolescents came to speak with Dirani and watch him play.

“Having Zade with us today is such an uplifting experience for the children, young people and their families,” said Robert Jenkins, UNICEF Representative to Jordan, who was with Dirani. “It sends a powerful message through music that we must do more collectively to address the needs of especially the most vulnerable children in Jordan.”

Dirani then visited another Makani centre in Mafraq town to play the piano and meet with marginalized children and youth from different backgrounds who are without formal education and come to the centre to learn and play.

Aside from his music, Zade, who is the founder of the “Zade Foundation for International Peace and Understanding,” is known for his work to help young musicians promote peace and cultural understanding.

Over the past years, he has worked with aspiring and world renowned musicians to spread the message of respect and tolerance.