[PHOTOS] The Color Wheel Project At Jerash Refugee Camp

The children at the Jerash Refugee Camp School are in the midst of a four week summer camp run by the Middle East Fitness Initiative (MEFI), a program held annually, currently in its second year.

A further initiative was developed by Middle East Contemporary Art Consultant, Victoria Gandit Lelandais, who through an independent volunteer network, runs a project where one week of the summer camp is transformed into ‘Art Week.’ This includes activities such as drawing workshops, lessons on color mixing, planting seeds in decorated cups, mask-making, games to teach sustainability and of course, the painting of one mural each on the girls’ and boys’ sides of the school.

Knowing the poor condition of the camp is hardly an inspiring one for anyone living there. Victoria, under the banner of social responsibility, created an opportunity for the kids to feel empowered through producing a mural and exploring their own creativity.

The walls are also symbolic of a happy and bright atmosphere generated by providing these kids with opportunity and a sense of self-production and responsibility.

Food and supplies can also be purchased on site to enable an increase in economy for the camp. As a further gift, the kids create their own ‘passports’ - with a photo shoot taken inside the camp, as many of these children don’t have official identification. 

With 100 kids, including 40 staff and volunteers, the kids have an inspiring and exciting week full of activities, healthy food and art.

Publish your photo essays on ILLUME.

After a week of prepping and painting blocks of colour, the boys start to add detail.

A girl runs past the mural wall - the first mural at the school to be painted by the students.

Victoria providing highlights and detail while the boys continue with their magic.

The (very cute) dedication on their faces was a blessing to be able to witness.

The mural taking shape on the boy’s end.

The boys include a comparable portrait of their teacher.

Boys shy away and provoke me to take a photo at the same time.

A rare opportunity for the kids to explore their creativity and paint on walls without getting in trouble.

Waiting around before painting (not to mention a foreign photographer) is also fun and games.

Part of the finished mural - on the boys end of the school.

Unlimited poses from these boys, couldn’t be staged if you tried.

After painting the mural - the school staff, Victoria, MEFI volunteers and boys cheer in excitement. So much so that someone forgot their shoe.

The girls listen intently to instructions before the painting begins.

A volunteer assists the girls with the painting, along with workshops and games run throughout the week.

The girls filling the wall with colour, unaware of the photo-bomber above.

More dedication and detail from the girls, at the mural on their section of the school.

Victoria helps the girls fill the silhouettes.

The girls experience the joy of painting that any artist knows well of.

Girls pose before the wall, a gesture of peace presented beautifully.

Two friends admire their creative work.

A volunteer breaks to give a smile for the camera, with paint partially donated by Dulux as part of the ‘Let’s Colour!’ campaign.

A group of girls relishing in the opportunity to pose. [16] More dedication and detail from the girls, at the mural on their section of the school. 

A girl runs past the mural wall - the first mural at the school to be painted by the students.