People ask us how we came up with the idea of making this Doll Collection. We don't think of it as an idea. We simply see it as a channel to give the lost generations of Syria a voice. The biggest crisis we are witnessing today is the fact that these war-torn children and families are being sidelined by the media. 

The everyday simple stories, names, struggles and words of these people should be heard, vocalized and spread. Because they are what matters.

Syrian Refugee women in Lebanon, from the Bassmeh & Zeitouneh NGO help in the production of the dolls. They are being payed for each doll they embroider. Through this effort we help provide them with gainful employment and a way to help provide for their families.

Ultimately creating a community and circle allowing refugees to help other refugees.

ANA means “I am”  in Arabic. I am Adreyeh, I protect my children’s dreams. Each doll has a different name of an actual refugee like Adreyeh, telling her/his story to the world. 

#dollwithadream

The war has caused many losses, forcing people away from their homes. We asked some of the families to share with us their stories and their hopes for the future. We gathered these hopes as letters and drawings; their stories inspire the illustrations on our dolls.

By giving the children the chance to draw and express their dreams
we also aspire to help heal their invisible pain through art and self-expression.

Each doll was given the name of a refugee and once sold, part of the proceeds go back to that refugee.

We asked the children of refugees what they wanted for the holidays. The answers we got, we transformed into these special edition dolls.

Mariam's son Abed wants a tiger for a friend.

Hala's son Hikmat wants a big bus he can drive around town.

Maguy's daughter Cynthia wants a guitar to play music.

Nivine's nephew Mohamad wants a house to live in with a father and mother.

Mouchira's daughter Racha wants a Barbie in a beautiful dress.

Ghadeer's daughter Joude wants a big doll house with a kitchen and living room.

Khouloud's son Amer wants a big red truck that works on batteries.

Stories were gathered from children in the Bekaa Valley refugee camps. The collection launched in Riyadh in collaboration with The Social Support Society at a fundraiser gala to build new schools in the Bekaa and support the education of Syrian refugees. 

Miniature versions of our dolls.