Making a difference with a smile and a little magic

How play can help children carry on through humanitarian crises

Children need to have fun, especially when they’re going through life in a refugee camp, and Jamie Balfour-Paul is a magician helping children smile in Lebanon, as reported by BBC.

“These kids suffer a lot from the trauma of war and stress of the camp. And, what drives me is the smiles and the happiness on the faces of those kids,” says Jamie.

At Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC), we love to hear and share these stories. We believe in ensuring children go to school and have safe spaces (see above) to play and grow, supporting their development and mental health wherever they’re living.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

 

About Inspiring Stories

September 2026

Rebuilding hope in Burkina Faso's crisis zone

In Burkina Faso, displacement and insecurity have closed schools and shattered routines. Discover how the PROSIPE project is restoring education, safety, and hope for children like Faiza.

September 2026

Here, a child can be born and still not exist

In a remote village in India, children are born but not officially registered — barring them from school, healthcare, and a future. Read how one community turned invisibility into opportunity.

August 2026

Showing up where help often doesn’t

In Paraguay, silence has let violence against children go unseen for generations. See how donor support is helping kids find their voice.