A heartfelt volunteer journey in Syrian refugee camps in Urfa, Turkey

• “I had prepared myself to leave everything behind—work and commitments—and immerse myself in a unique experience, seeking nothing but reward. I went with the intention of giving, but I returned with so much more,” said Fajr Sabah

By Fajr Sabah
Special to The Times Kuwait 

I have volunteered many times, both in Kuwait and abroad, in various capacities, but this experience was truly unique.

I traveled to Turkey once again, not for tourism, but for volunteering, with a new focus on visiting Syrian refugee camps in Urfa.

I was a bit hesitant, as it was the first time I would be visiting Arabs who could understand our language without the need for translation—people whose lives were once like ours before the conflicts and wars.

I was very cautious with every word and action, especially on the first day, being meticulous about each move and photo to ensure no faces appeared and that I wouldn’t inadvertently offend anyone. However, by the end of the first day, I discovered something entirely different from what I had imagined.

I had prepared myself to leave everything behind—work and commitments—and immerse myself in a unique experience, seeking nothing but reward. I went with the intention of giving, but I returned with so much more.

I traveled with the International Islamic Charitable Organization alongside some of the finest men and women from Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. We went to Istanbul and then immediately to Urfa, where we began working without delay. We prepared food baskets and distributed them, visited the camps, played with the children, talked to the women, and visited hearing centers to install devices for those with hearing impairments. We also visited the Osama Al-Zaid Center for Mental Health and Quran Memorization and celebrated a recreational day with orphans.

These activities were diverse and seemed exhausting, but in reality, they were incredibly enjoyable. The refugees welcomed us with immense love and enthusiasm, their gatherings filled with warmth and longing. They were the ones asking for photos to be taken and shared, and they also prepared segments for us, creating ideas and memories together.

It was as if they were saying, “We don’t want anything but for someone to ask about us, visit us, and share in our exile and estrangement.”

Despite the many situations we witnessed and were deeply affected by, they remained strong in the face of their needs, content despite their circumstances. They believed that God would never forget them and would always provide for them.

This experience was truly unique. I went with the intention of giving and returned with a heart full of contentment, love, and many new friends.