For many children whose families have been displaced by conflict, the idea of “home” is abstract—a name they’ve heard, not a place they’ve known. Since the beginning of this year, nearly 5,100 families have left the displacement camps where they were living in northeast Syria to return to Iraq. Nearly 5,700 of the individuals repatriated this year are under the age of 18. Some of these young people have never lived outside of a displacement camp.
As more families prepared to return to Iraq, Blumont’s community mobilization team saw an opportunity to help children prepare for life back home.
Through a blend of art, storytelling, theater, and cultural education, earlier this year, children discovered the richness of Iraqi heritage. Activities like drawing maps of Iraq, identifying their hometowns, and building models of ancient sites sparked curiosity and pride. One child, upon seeing the recreated buildings, exclaimed, “Is this really in Iraq? I only heard of tents in our country.”
As their families prepared to leave the camp, children explored Iraq and the journey ahead.
Blumont’s Emergency Protection Program Manager outlined the importance of this initiative, “The team recognized that many children returning may have limited or no direct experience of Iraq, leading to a disconnect from their cultural roots. Activities aimed to foster a sense of belonging and promote psychological well-being by creating positive, engaging experiences centered on their homeland.”
Storytelling played a central role. Older Iraqi residents living in the camp were invited to share memories from their childhood, wedding customs, holidays, and more. Hearing of palm trees, the scent of tannour bread, and playing in fields, one young participant said, “I used to think Iraq was just a name, but today I felt it’s a real place, with people like me, with streets, schools, and games.”
Through the stories, children could visualize a vibrant Iraq beyond the memories of conflict.
Stories and videos of everyday life helped children who had no memory of Iraq.
“This engagement helps children develop a sense of identity, pride, and hope for their future,” Blumont’s Emergency Protection Program Manager reflected. “It can reduce feelings of alienation, trauma, and loss, and encourage their integration into Iraqi society. A strong sense of belonging can also motivate them to participate actively in their community.”
As their families prepared to leave, children used art to process their feelings about displacement and the start of their journey home. When asked what they hoped for their lives in Iraq, all the children expressed excitement to go to school. By building a stronger connection to their history, activities in the camp helped children feel not just prepared to return to Iraq, but excited to be part of its future.
Creating art helped children connect with their roots.
