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

June 2026

Inside Zam: Where Violence Follows Children Into t...

Children in Zam, Burkina Faso are rebuilding their education after conflict and displacement. See how community-led support is restoring safety, learning, and hope.

June 2026

Souraya: From a Victim of Exploitation to a Hopefu...

Souraya, a young girl from conflict‑affected Burkina Faso, escapes exploitation and rebuilds her life through psychosocial support, skills training, and entrepreneurship with the help of Children Believe and partners. Her inspiring journey shows the power of protection, resilience, and hope.

June 2026

Inside Mancico: Where Children Wake Before Dawn to...

Inside Mancico, Nicaragua’s Dry Corridor, children wake before dawn to collect water. Discover how extreme drought, climate pressures, and limited resources impact education—and how new rainwater harvesting systems are bringing hope to families.