Homeward Bound

This is a daily scene at the Za'atari Refugee Camp in Jordan. Every weekday afternoon, on this occasion it was an hour before before sunset, the trucks & buses arrive and are quickly filled to the brim.

Young boys climb up on the cargo truck first so that their relatives below can hand them their luggage. The boys remain on board to make sure everyone's luggage stays safe during the short trip home and also to facilitate its unloading upon arrival.

The transportation, arranged and paid for by the Jordanian government; takes the refugees across the border where they may be met by a member of the Free Syrian Army or left to their own devices to make there way home.

In late September, around 300 people a day were leaving the camp to return to Syria. The convoy arrived in a blaze of desert dust amongst a stir of excitement from the waiting crowd. Suddenly there was a hive of activity and shouting as everyone rushed over to load their luggage under the watchful yet distant eye of the security forces.

Ironically those who were informally organising the process (and keeping the journalists and photographers at bay) were the self-appointed street leaders of Zaatari Camp. An aggravated man quickly approached us when we dared to stray from the zone to which we'd been allotted. "You can only shoot from here. Do not come any closer" he commanded sternly. The protective stance towards those heading back home was palpable yet frustrating given that we had waited for 90 minutes in the 35C degree heat of the desert sun for the arrival of the truck convoys.

Once the cargo truck (actually a huge refrigerated truck for food produce) was loaded the crowd quickly dissipated towards the passenger bus awaiting them nearby. Within minutes the convoy drove off towards the border leaving us covered in a cloud of dust as we wondered what would become of these (and future) returnees.

He who opens a school door, closes a prison. ~ Victor Hugo

Syrian refugee children have been integrated into the local schools in Mafraq, Jordan with many of the schools in that governorate now working two shifts per day. Several of the classes are filled beyond capacity and some schools do require additional staff & rudimentary resources inc. classroom furniture since the children may be forced to share a desk. This is the Ashrafiya Secondary School for Girls based in Mafraq. On the wall behind them a teacher proudly wrote: Countries are built on three essential foundations: Teachers to Educate, Soldiers to Protect, And Farmers to Feed it.

Syrian Children at Za'atari Refugee Camp

Syrian children at the Zaatari Refugee Camp. Despite the difficult conditions they happily request to be photographed. When I engaged them and asked them to count to ten they did so in perfectly fluent English.

Should you happen to ignore a request for a photo from young boys then expect some retaliation & be prepared to have the occasional stones thrown at you. This is a tough environment for kids to grow up in. Dealing with the diaspora and the violence they have witnessed has been traumatic for many. As winter approaches its hard to imagine how these young children will be able to cope with the added hurdle of the bitter cold of the desert. FACT: About 13 Syrian children per day are born in the Za'atari Refugee Camp in Jordan. 21% are < 5 years old and 55% are <18. Source ~ UNHCR ~~~~ Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~~~~

The Bedu of Northern Jordan

Beautiful #Jordanian #bedouin woman who has moved to #ashrafiya in #mafraq . She lives in this colourful tent with her family. Her son is unemployed despite the fact that there are #syrian #refugees working in the nearby tomato fields.

According to the son tomato picking is back-breaking work that shortens a man's life span. Ironically they believe it is ok for their 2 sisters to pick tomatoes.

She was happy for me to take her photo although she hates her #tattoos and wants to have them removed. #nomads #life #nomad #bedouin #photojournalism #jordan