"We thought the conflict would end within one or two months," says Siwar, who fled war-torn Syria with her family. "We didn’t expect all the killings and bloodshed, and we certainly didn’t expect to end up in Za’atari."

Motherhood in a Syrian Refugee Camp

Siwar fled war-torn Syria with her husband and five children. They have been in Za’atari for a year and a half – the youngest child was born in the camp. They left Syria because their village was under heavy shelling.

“Before the war, we lived a normal life in Syria. My kids used to play with friends and work with their uncle. They want to go back to their country where they grew up.

We miss our family, relatives and neighbors. I miss the village that I lived in all my life. I feel very lonely,” she said.

“During my last pregnancy, I was in a lot of pain,” Siwar continued. “I was alone when I gave birth to my daughter in the camp. In Syria, my relatives were there to support me during my past pregnancies. It’s been so hard to raise my youngest without them, and it has been difficult for us all living in a small trailer.”

“I worry about my children becoming sick. Two of them have already suffered from the flu. They are homesick and miss their cousins and grandparents – they too are lonely and isolated here,” Siwar said.

“We thought the conflict would end within one or two months,” Siwar said. “We didn’t expect all the killings and bloodshed, and we certainly didn’t expect to end up in Za’atari.”

Save the Children is on the ground in Syria and is helping refugee communities throughout the region including, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. We are providing refugee and displaced children and their families with food, emergency care, shelter, protection, clean water and clothes. Please donate now to the Syrian Children’s Relief Fund and don't let Syrian children become a lost generation.

*Names have been changed to protect identities