Uprooted by wars, over a million Syrian children are now living in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. Following a post- event visit to Syrian refugee school in Istanbul, Turkey in 2015, a WWD regional event was organized in Jordan this time.
Wood cut- outs and “Wood is Good” eye glasses, prepared by Folk Art participants Randy Stump from the United States, Kazuaki Harada and Megumi Harada from Japan respectively, were sent to a Syrian refugee school in Mafraq. A workshop was held to allow children to unlock their creativity and freely express themselves through decorating the wooden toys. Furthermore, the activity aimed to empower the children as their works will be sold to raise fund. Proceeds in return will go to an education fund to sustain their needs.
World Wood Day is a cultural event celebrated annually during the week of March 21st to highlight wood as an eco-friendly and renewable biomaterial and to raise awareness on the key role wood plays in a sustainable world. Starting from 2013, WWD celebrations were held in Tanzania, China, Turkey, Nepal, and United States respectively, involving participants from over 100 countries and regions.