Chocolate birthday cakes, each with a sparkler squidged into the middle of them, are carried into the tent amid a chorus of “Happy Birthday” followed by clapping and cheers.

It is the 35th birthday of Syrian refugee Zaki Mohammad Ali. This year’s celebrations are a far cry from where he imagined he would be today, however.

He expected to be in London by now, donating a kidney to his severely ill younger brother Kamel, having risked his life several times in the last 17 months during his attempt to get there.

Instead, he is spending it stranded in Moria refugee camp, located on the Greek island of Lesbos, in a tent that he shares with nine other people. He feels totally hopeless, he says, and is growing increasingly concerned for his brother’s welfare.

“I’ve been here since 3 May. I made some scary decisions to get here and I had no idea I would be unable to leave the island to get to my brother.

“I’m desperate to reach him but all I can do is wait until the Greek authorities allow me to pass to Athens where I can apply for entry to the UK,” he says, holding up pieces of paper detailing his brother’s medical information.

The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees Show all 26 1 /26 The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-main-0.jpg Children who live in Za’atari Refugee Camp with an object that they have brought from Syria. Each photo has an incredibly powerful story behind it. There are images of children holding various objects, including photos of their fathers who were killed in the war, toys which comforted them as they fled the conflict and even a set of house keys, which Rudaina hopes to use when she returns to Syria. Unicef/Herwig Photos Unicef/Christopher Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-8.jpg Omar, 11. Omar holds his teddy bear Ben 10 in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œMy Ben 10 transforms into an alien from space and he saves the world,â€ says the 11 year old. â€œI brought it from Syria. My brother gave it to me before he died. Omar lost both of his older brothers in the conflict. His brother Abdulrahman was just 7 years old when he died. â€œHe bought it for me in the market and told me to take care of it. We used to watch the cartoon together. I still watch it now.â€ Omar doesnâ€™t remember much about his home in Syria but he thinks it was as big as a UNICEF Makani centre, where he goes for learning and psychosocial support. â€œMost of our stuff we had to leave behind but my mum packed Ben 10 so I could play with it.â€ â€œItâ€™s so important to me. This toy is as precious to me as my own brother. Iâ€™m going to keep it forever.â€ The best part of Omarâ€™s day is sunset when he comes home from school and Makani, eats food and does his homework sitting with his family. His favourite subject is Maths and he studies hard to achieve his dream. â€œI want to become a pilot. I used to be afraid of planes but now I want to travel. Maybe if I get on a plane I wonâ€™t be afraid anymore.â€ Omar now has two little sisters in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. He lets his youngest sister Islam play with Ben 10. When he gets dirty he puts him in the washing machine. â€œIâ€™m the only boy now. I think my brother would be proud of me.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-bas Â© UNICEF/UN0264951/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-10.jpg Omar, 11. Omar still has his teddy bear Ben 10 from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œMy Ben 10 transforms into an alien from space and he saves the world,â€ says the 11 year old. â€œI brought it from Syria. My brother gave it to me before he died. Omar lost both of his older brothers in the conflict. His brother Abdulrahman was just 7 years old when he died. â€œHe bought it for me in the market and told me to take care of it. We used to watch the cartoon together. I still watch it now.â€ Omar doesnâ€™t remember much about his home in Syria but he thinks it was as big as a UNICEF Makani centre, where he goes for learning and psychosocial support. â€œMost of our stuff we had to leave behind but my mum packed Ben 10 so I could play with it.â€ â€œItâ€™s so important to me. This toy is as precious to me as my own brother. Iâ€™m going to keep it forever.â€ The best part of Omarâ€™s day is sunset when he comes home from school and Makani, eats food and does his homework sitting with his family. His favourite subject is Maths and he studies hard to achieve his dream. â€œI want to become a pilot. I used to be afraid of planes but now I want to travel. Maybe if I get on a plane I wonâ€™t be afraid anymore.â€ Omar now has two little sisters in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. He lets his youngest sister Islam play with Ben 10. When he gets dirty he puts him in the washing machine. â€œIâ€™m the only boy now. I think my brother would be proud of me.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced Â© UNICEF/UN0264949/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-4.jpg Yahya, 13 years, holds a passport photo of himself, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is a photo of me. Itâ€™s my memory. It means a lot to me because it was taken for my school registration form. I was in the first grade for only one week and then we had to come here.â€ â€œI have memories from this time, both good and bad. I remember how my school looked â€“ it was beautiful. I had started making friends and playing football. â€œBut the bad memories are of the war, when we were under bombing. I want to forget this memory and the memory of the journey here.â€ â€œIt was nighttime when we left Syria and we could hardly see the road in front of us. We moved through valleys full of thorns that hurt when we stepped on them. People started throwing away their belongings because of how hard the journey was â€“ anything heavy had to go. I had to leave behind my school books, my pens and my colours because my mum told me too. She said it wouldnâ€™t be long before we came back home. But itâ€™s been six years.â€ He is now in sixth grade. â€œSchool is good here.â€ When he grows up, he wants to be a forensic doctor. â€œEverything has changed â€“ my school, my home, my friends. I wish I had the power to restore Syria.â€ He keeps his photo safe so he can remember his past when he looks at it. â€œThis photo is part of my childhood. When I look at this photo, it makes me smile to see myself and Iâ€™m happy to have a memory of when I was younger in Syria.â€ â€œI was only six then. Now my biggest wish is to return to Syria and see my house and my school. I want Syria to be safe once again.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of th Â© UNICEF/UN0264920/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-7.jpg Qusai, 13 years, holds a schoolbag in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œI was in first grade in Syria and my dad gave me this schoolbag. I was only little then but now Iâ€™m in the sixth grade.â€ Although the schoolbag is now too small for him, he keeps it safe. â€œItâ€™s important to me because my father gave it to me as a gift and I remember him by it. Also because it is from my country.â€ He still has happy memories from life in Syria, including going to school. â€œI used to feel really happy when break came and I could go to the shop. I remember playing in the schoolyard â€“ my friends chasing me and me chasing them.â€ Although he preferred his school in Syria, he still enjoys going to school in the camp. His favourite subject is English and he wants to become an English teacher. He has no plans to give up the old schoolbag. â€œI will keep this schoolbag forever. I will tell my children my father gave this to me and I kept it safe for all these years to show you.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so Â© UNICEF/UN0264952/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-5.jpg Qusai, 13 years, still owns his schoolbag from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œI was in first grade in Syria and my dad gave me this schoolbag. I was only little then but now Iâ€™m in the sixth grade.â€ Although the schoolbag is now too small for him, he keeps it safe. â€œItâ€™s important to me because my father gave it to me as a gift and I remember him by it. Also because it is from my country.â€ He still has happy memories from life in Syria, including going to school. â€œI used to feel really happy when break came and I could go to the shop. I remember playing in the schoolyard â€“ my friends chasing me and me chasing them.â€ Although he preferred his school in Syria, he still enjoys going to school in the camp. His favourite subject is English and he wants to become an English teacher. He has no plans to give up the old schoolbag. â€œI will keep this schoolbag forever. I will tell my children my father gave this to me and I kept it safe for all these years to show you.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixtur Â© UNICEF/UN0264954/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-3.jpg Ayoub, 13 years, holds a set of spoons in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThese are my spoons. I was six when I left Syria. I wanted to take them with me from Syria as a memory so I grabbed them as we were leaving the house and I carried them the whole way here.â€ â€œI used to eat my meals with them back at home so I thought that I am going to need them to eat when I come to the camp.â€ Ayoub has dropped out of school in the camp but he continues to attend a Makani centre for learning and psychosocial support. â€œWhen I grow up, I want to be a taxi driver because I want to leave the camp and go everywhere. Iâ€™ve been in a taxi before and I loved it. Inside the camp we donâ€™t have taxis, only bicycles. Iâ€™m not in school so I canâ€™t be a doctor or an engineer but I think itâ€™s the easiest thing for me to do when I grow up.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilienc Â© UNICEF/UN0264921/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-6.jpg Hamza, 14 years, holds a handwritten note, from his teacher in Syria, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis note was written by my teacher when I was in first grade in Syria. Itâ€™s a thank you letter to my family saying that I am a good student.â€ The note calls Hamza a star. â€œI made sure to put it in my bag when we were coming here.â€ Hamza is now in the eighth grade and has made a big effort to keep achieving academically, despite the disruption to his education. â€œItâ€™s important for me to keep it because it reminds me of when I was the best student in my class.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 2012. UNICEF provides WASH, protection, education, health and nutrition, youth and adolescent services and social protection Â© UNICEF/UN0264953/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-2.jpg Mohammad, 16 years, holds his hat in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my hat. My father used to work in Damascus. He bought it there and gave it to me. Life then was magnificent.â€ He still remembers the beginning of the conflict in Syria. â€œChildren were being killed and houses were being bombed. My father feared for our lives and for our future.â€ â€œWhen we had to leave Syria, it was winter. I remember crossing a valley and the ground being difficult to walk on. It was dangerous, cars were sliding on the ice.â€ Mohammad brought as much of his clothing as he could carry to Zaâ€™atari but the hat remains his most loved item. â€œI wore it all the way crossing to Jordan and I still wear it every winter. Itâ€™s so precious, it reminds me of Syria. And itâ€™s a gift from my Dad which is why it means so much to me.â€ Mohammad lives with his parents and brothers and sisters in the camp. He is in tenth grade and likes school. He feels like the camp is home because he is surrounded by his family and a bigger Syrian community who keep their memories alive. â€œMy parents tell me about when we were little. They say that Syria was beautiful. I will go back home to my village and continue living there. I will bring my hat and tell my children everything about my story.â€ When asked if itâ€™s important for children in Zaâ€™atari to try to remember Syria when some of the memories are so traumatic, he replies straight away â€“ â€œBoth. I think itâ€™s very important to keep memories but also to forget the horrors of war.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Â© UNICEF/UN0264922/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-1.jpg Mohammad, 16 years, wears his hat from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my hat. My father used to work in Damascus. He bought it there and gave it to me. Life then was magnificent.â€ He still remembers the beginning of the conflict in Syria. â€œChildren were being killed and houses were being bombed. My father feared for our lives and for our future.â€ â€œWhen we had to leave Syria, it was winter. I remember crossing a valley and the ground being difficult to walk on. It was dangerous, cars were sliding on the ice.â€ Mohammad brought as much of his clothing as he could carry to Zaâ€™atari but the hat remains his most loved item. â€œI wore it all the way crossing to Jordan and I still wear it every winter. Itâ€™s so precious, it reminds me of Syria. And itâ€™s a gift from my Dad which is why it means so much to me.â€ Mohammad lives with his parents and brothers and sisters in the camp. He is in tenth grade and likes school. He feels like the camp is home because he is surrounded by his family and a bigger Syrian community who keep their memories alive. â€œMy parents tell me about when we were little. They say that Syria was beautiful. I will go back home to my village and continue living there. I will bring my hat and tell my children everything about my story.â€ When asked if itâ€™s important for children in Zaâ€™atari to try to remember Syria when some of the memories are so traumatic, he replies straight away â€“ â€œBoth. I think itâ€™s very important to keep memories but also to forget the horrors of war.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have Â© UNICEF/UN0264923/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-24.jpg Ahmad, 12 years, holds a key ring inscribed with his fatherâ€™s name in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis key ring belonged to my dad, I inherited it from him a long time ago. He died of a heart attack at the start of the war in Syria.â€ â€œI barely have any memories of my Dad but the few I have are very precious. My favourite memory is the time he brought us to the river for a picnic and we played in the water.â€ â€œIf I want to remember him, I take out his key ring and look at it.â€ Ahmad wants to be an architect when he grows us because his father worked in construction. â€œI still have a long way to go as I am only in the sixth grade but I will do my best. It would make my Dad proud of me.â€ Ahmad lives with his grandmother and brother in the camp. Although they donâ€™t have much, he says that their love is enough for him. Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilie Â© UNICEF/UN0264925/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-25.jpg Ahmad, 12 years, has a key ring inscribed with his fatherâ€™s name in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis key ring belonged to my dad, I inherited it from him a long time ago. He died of a heart attack at the start of the war in Syria.â€ â€œI barely have any memories of my dad but the few I have are very precious. My favourite memory is the time he brought us to the river for a picnic and we played in the water.â€ â€œIf I want to remember him, I take out his key ring and look at it.â€ Ahmad wants to be an architect when he grows us because his father worked in construction. â€œI still have a long way to go as I am only in the sixth grade but I will do my best. It would make my dad proud of me.â€ Ahmad lives with his grandmother and brother in the camp. Although they donâ€™t have much, he says that their love is enough for him. Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilien Â© UNICEF/UN0264924/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-23.jpg Yara, 10 years, holds a doll in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis toy is from Syria. Her name is Farah.â€ Yaraâ€™s father gave her Farah for her birthday. â€œHe used to buy me so many things.â€ She enjoys taking off Farahâ€™s dress, washing it and dressing her again. â€œI take care of her because I love her. I feel happy when Iâ€™m with her.â€ â€œI take her everywhere. I sleep with her. I tell her the story of Little Red Riding Hood - itâ€™s about a wolf - to put her to sleep.â€ Yara still has memories of her bedroom in Syria. â€œIt was white and I had teddy bears and one was really big. Bigger than me.â€ â€œIt got scary in Syria. There were shootings. Dad said get your stuff together, weâ€™re going.â€ â€œI wanted to bring that teddy bear here but my parents said no, it was too big. So I put Farah in my bag. I told her weâ€™re going to Zaâ€™atari. I told her donâ€™t made any sound because if you do, we canâ€™t go in. She was scared.â€ â€œWe were both happy when we arrived in Zaâ€™atari. I brought a pink dress too just like Farahâ€™s. â€œI am never going to get rid of her. I have so many toys, even one that costs 5 JD, but I love this one.â€ Yara goes to school in the camp and wants to be a pharmacist when she grows up so she can give people medicine that will heal them. She wants to return to Syria. â€œI will dress her up and get her ready and we will go. But this time, Iâ€™m bringing all of my toys.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach t Â© UNICEF/UN0264936/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-22.jpg Yara, 10 years, still has her doll from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis toy is from Syria. Her name is Farah.â€ Yaraâ€™s father gave her Farah for her birthday. â€œHe used to buy me so many things.â€ She enjoys taking off Farahâ€™s dress, washing it and dressing her again. â€œI take care of her because I love her. I feel happy when Iâ€™m with her.â€ â€œI take her everywhere. I sleep with her. I tell her the story of Little Red Riding Hood - itâ€™s about a wolf - to put her to sleep.â€ Yara still has memories of her bedroom in Syria. â€œIt was white and I had teddy bears and one was really big. Bigger than me.â€ â€œIt got scary in Syria. There were shootings. Dad said get your stuff together, weâ€™re going.â€ â€œI wanted to bring that teddy bear here but my parents said no, it was too big. So I put Farah in my bag. I told her weâ€™re going to Zaâ€™atari. I told her donâ€™t made any sound because if you do, we canâ€™t go in. She was scared.â€ â€œWe were both happy when we arrived in Zaâ€™atari. I brought a pink dress too just like Farahâ€™s. â€œI am never going to get rid of her. I have so many toys, even one that costs 5 JD, but I love this one.â€ Yara goes to school in the camp and wants to be a pharmacist when she grows up so she can give people medicine that will heal them. She wants to return to Syria. â€œI will dress her up and get her ready and we will go. But this time, Iâ€™m bringing all of my toys.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community- Â© UNICEF/UN0264937/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-20.jpg Hala, 11 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp, holding a photo of her and her older brother in Syria. â€œMy favourite photo is me and my brother together. It was a Friday. My mum had dressed me nicely for Friday prayer, then we went to the market and a restaurant. After that we went to a photographerâ€™s studio where this photo was taken.â€ Hala keeps her photos from Syria hidden in her closet to keep them safe. She takes them out from time to time to look at them. â€œI only remember the war. I used to be so afraid. Bombs used to fall all around our house.â€ â€œWithout photos, I wouldnâ€™t know what it was like to be a kid in Syria. Because Syria is in my heart, it is my country where I was born. When I look at this photo, I remember those days again. There arenâ€™t enough words to describe the life I see in these photos. Itâ€™s pure happiness.â€ Hala missed two years of her education because of the conflict â€“ one in Syria and one in Jordan. Now she is in the fourth grade. â€œI love school a lot. Arabic is my favourite subject and I want to be a surgeon. My mum told me that it was her dream when she was a child to become one but she got married instead. I want her to fulfil her dream through me.â€ As well as getting a good education, Hala knows what it will take to achieve her dream. â€œI have to be courageous and not fear anything.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and Â© UNICEF/UN0264939/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-21.jpg Hala, 11 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp, still has a photo of her and her older brother in Syria. â€œMy favourite photo is me and my brother together. It was a Friday. My mum had dressed me nicely for Friday prayer, then we went to the market and a restaurant. After that we went to a photographerâ€™s studio where this photo was taken.â€ Hala keeps her photos from Syria hidden in her closet to keep them safe. She takes them out from time to time to look at them. â€œI only remember the war. I used to be so afraid. Bombs used to fall all around our house.â€ â€œWithout photos, I wouldnâ€™t know what it was like to be a kid in Syria. Because Syria is in my heart, it is my country where I was born. When I look at this photo, I remember those days again. There arenâ€™t enough words to describe the life I see in these photos. Itâ€™s pure happiness.â€ Hala missed two years of her education because of the conflict â€“ one in Syria and one in Jordan. Now she is in the fourth grade. â€œI love school a lot. Arabic is my favourite subject and I want to be a surgeon. My mum told me that it was her dream when she was a child to become one but she got married instead. I want her to fulfil her dream through me.â€ As well as getting a good education, Hala knows what it will take to achieve her dream. â€œI have to be courageous and not fear anything.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, a Â© UNICEF/UN0264938/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-19.jpg Rudaina, 11 years, holds house keys in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThese are my house keys. I brought them with me because when we go back to Syria, Iâ€™m going to be the one who opens the door.â€ â€œMy parents tell me that Syria is beautiful. I was so little that I donâ€™t remember.â€ Rudaina is in fourth grade and her favourite subject is Maths. She wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. â€œWe once had a home but now we live in a caravan.â€ â€œI feel so sad when I hold the keys because Iâ€™m so far away from home.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 2012. UNICEF provides WASH, protection, education, health and nutrition, youth and adolescent services and social protection for the over 44,000 children who live there an Â© UNICEF/UN0264940/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-18.jpg Rudaina, 11 years, still has her house keys from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThese are my house keys. I brought them with me because when we go back to Syria, Iâ€™m going to be the one who opens the door.â€ â€œMy parents tell me that Syria is beautiful. I was so little that I donâ€™t remember.â€ Rudaina is in fourth grade and her favourite subject is Maths. She wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. â€œWe once had a home but now we live in a caravan.â€ â€œI feel so sad when I hold the keys because Iâ€™m so far away from home.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 2012. UNICEF provides WASH, protection, education, health and nutrition, youth and adolescent services and social protection for the over 44,000 childr Â© UNICEF/UN0264941/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-17.jpg Nour, 12 years, holds a blanket in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my blanket. When I was little and it was my birthday, my grandmother bought it for me.â€ â€œI remember that we had to flee because there was bombing. It was night time. Thatâ€™s why we came here.â€ â€œI was covered in it when I was little and I came here. It protected me against the cold and the rain. I was scared but my mum held me.â€ Nour wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Her favourite subject is Social Studies because she likes it and her teacher. â€œI still have feelings when I cover myself in this blanket. I feel sadness thinking about the old beautiful days in Syria. But I also feel protected and safe.â€ â€œIâ€™m going to keep it as long as I can.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children i Â© UNICEF/UN0264942/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-16.jpg Nour, 12 years, still has her blanket from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my blanket. When I was little and it was my birthday, my grandmother bought it for me.â€ â€œI remember that we had to flee because there was bombing. It was night time. Thatâ€™s why we came here.â€ â€œI was covered in it when I was little and I came here. It protected me against the cold and the rain. I was scared but my mum held me.â€ Nour wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Her favourite subject is Social Studies because she likes it and her teacher. â€œI still have feelings when I cover myself in this blanket. I feel sadness thinking about the old beautiful days in Syria. But I also feel protected and safe.â€ â€œIâ€™m going to keep it as long as I can.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and developme Â© UNICEF/UN0264943/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-15.jpg Iman, 13 years, holds her doll in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œHer name is Lulu. Sheâ€™s a gift from my mum so sheâ€™s very important. I love her!â€ â€œWe brought her here from Syria. When I was little and upset, my parents would give me this toy and I would stop crying.â€ â€œI feel safe as long as Lulu is with me. When the war started and there was shooting, I used to hug her to feel safe.â€ â€œI remember coming here. It was at night and it was dark. On the journey I felt protected having her with me.â€ These days, having Lulu near still makes Iman feel better whenever she is afraid or sad. She keeps her hidden but still lets her little sister play with her. â€œI will keep Lulu forever.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 20 Â© UNICEF/UN0264944/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-12.jpg Iman, 13 years, still has her doll from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œHer name is Lulu. Sheâ€™s a gift from my mum so sheâ€™s very important. I love her!â€ â€œWe brought her here from Syria. When I was little and upset, my parents would give me this toy and I would stop crying.â€ â€œI feel safe as long as Lulu is with me. When the war started and there was shooting, I used to hug her to feel safe.â€ â€œI remember coming here. It was at night and it was dark. On the journey I felt protected having her with me.â€ These days, having Lulu near still makes Iman feel better whenever she is afraid or sad. She keeps her hidden but still lets her little sister play with her. â€œI will keep Lulu forever.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since Â© UNICEF/UN0264947/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-14.jpg Zaina*, 13 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp holding a framed photo of her father. â€œThatâ€™s my fatherâ€™s photo. When I was in first grade he died in the war.â€ â€œI wanted to bring this with me when I came here. It was hanging on the wall. I saw my mother putting stuff together so I ran to the photo and took it off the wall and put it in her bag.â€ â€œI have many memories of all the toys he gave me that I couldnâ€™t bring with me.â€ Zaina has been living in the camp for six years. She is in sixth grade and her favourite subject is English. She wants to be a lawyer when she grows up. â€œI wish to return to Syria and for life to be like it was before. I will put my fatherâ€™s photo back on the wall where it was hanging before.â€ *name changed to protect identity Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy grow Â© UNICEF/UN0264945/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-13.jpg â€œI brought this dog,â€ says Shatha, 15 years. â€œI was little when we left Syria â€“ only 8 or 9 years old. I donâ€™t remember much. â€œWhen we had to leave, I took him with me, I was thinking he would protect me. I had so many toys to choose from but he was my favourite â€“ I played with him a lot. â€œI remember being on the bus here and sleeping a lot. I held him the whole way to Zaâ€™atari. â€œThe camp was full of tents back then and life was hard, really hard. I kept getting lost. I never let go of my dog in those first days so he could protect me. â€œNow life is sweet. We have these centres and schools and weâ€™re getting an education. We have friends and parties.â€ Shatha wants to be a lawyer when she grows up to protect herself and others. â€œI love the Makani, itâ€™s my favourite place in the camp. We learn and we play here. I play lots of football and like the computers. â€œMy toy dog will always be with me. Iâ€™ll tell my children my whole life story and his â€“ because itâ€™s the same as mine.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres re Â© UNICEF/UN0264946/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-11.jpg â€œI brought this dog,â€ says Shatha, 15 years. â€œI was little when we left Syria â€“ only 8 or 9 years old. I donâ€™t remember much. â€œWhen we had to leave, I took him with me, I was thinking he would protect me. I had so many toys to choose from but he was my favourite â€“ I played with him a lot. â€œI remember being on the bus here and sleeping a lot. I held him the whole way to Zaâ€™atari. â€œThe camp was full of tents back then and life was hard, really hard. I kept getting lost. I never let go of my dog in those first days so he could protect me. â€œNow life is sweet. We have these centres and schools and weâ€™re getting an education. We have friends and parties.â€ Shatha wants to be a lawyer when she grows up to protect herself and others. â€œI love the Makani, itâ€™s my favourite place in the camp. We learn and we play here. I play lots of football and like the computers. â€œMy toy dog will always be with me. Iâ€™ll tell my children my whole life story and his â€“ because itâ€™s the same as mine.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres r Â© UNICEF/UN0264948/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-9.jpg Sham*, 7 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp holding a photo of her father. â€œThat photo was taken in Syria. Itâ€™s important to me because my father died and I loved him so much.â€ â€œHe used to tell me stories â€“ stories about Syria. I loved his stories so much.â€ â€œOne day he told me we were going to the camp in five days. He said the war is going to get bad so you have to go. He told me you will grow older and I need you to look after your mother.â€ â€œHe wouldnâ€™t come with us and he died in Syria.â€ Sham says that if she ever lost the photos of her father, she would never stop looking for them. To keep them safe, she hides them in a bag and then hides the bag in their caravan. She lives with her mother, two brothers and one sister in the camp. She goes to school and is in the second grade. â€œI like to go to school to learn. Science is my favourite subject. I study hard so I can practice on my own without using the books.â€ â€œIf my Dad was here now he would ask me â€˜what do you want to be when your grow upâ€™ and I would say â€˜I want to be an engineer just like youâ€™. He would be really proud of me.â€ *name changed to protect identity Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 pe Â© UNICEF/UN0264950/Herwig Unicef/Herwig

In a meeting this summer between several Syrian families and the then immigration minister Caroline Nokes, Kamel’s wife raised the case – but Nokes apparently said there was nothing she could do.

Organ donors can apply for a medical visit visa but both brothers said they had not been made aware of this.

Nokes did not respond to a request to comment from The Independent and a spokesperson for the Home Office said it did not comment on individual cases but added that anyone with refugee status in the UK “has full access to medical treatment”. Application for a medical visit visa would also have to be carried out in Athens, the Home Office said.

The two brothers, along with other members of their family, were forced to flee Syria as a result of the war. Ali and his wife left for Lebanon in 2011 and his brother Kamel followed with his family three years later.

I made some scary decisions to get here and I had no idea I would be unable to leave the island to get to my brother Zaki Mohammad Ali

In March 2017, Kamel was diagnosed with kidney failure. Due to the severity of his condition and with medical treatment being so costly in Lebanon, he was granted asylum in the UK, with his family, to seek medical care at St George’s Hospital in London.

Since moving there in June 2017, Kamel has undergone dialysis three times a week, every week. He is unable to work, unable to make plans and travel is difficult – he was not able to attend his mother’s funeral in Sweden earlier in the year.

Ali began his perilous journey to Europe in April 2018, managing to evade arrest as he travelled through Syria – where he says he would have been forced to re-join the regime’s army had he been caught – from Lebanon. He then crossed over into Turkey and travelled to the northwest where he made two failed attempts to enter Greece over land.

Ali had hoped to be spending his birthday in London, where his brother is severely ill (Charlie Faulkner/The Independent)

“I was stopped both times by the Greek police. The first time I spent 22 days in a Greek detention centre before they sent me back to Turkey and the second time I was held for three days by the Turkish authorities,” he says.

With funds dwindling, he had no choice but to embark on a terrifying boat journey to Lesbos – the cheaper option.

“I was determined to make it, there was no other option. Trying to help my brother was worth the risk – I would have walked to the UK if I could,” he says.

When he finally hit the shore of Lesbos he says he felt mixed emotions – relief at finally reaching Europe but also fearful of being sent back.

“I called my mother as soon as we landed and told her I was safe. She told me to come and visit her,” he says, having not seen her since last year. Tragically, she died the next day.

Since then, Ali has faced a daily battle between feelings of hopefulness and despair, he says.

His wife is still living in Lebanon and he says he has no issue returning there following the transplant procedure, should that be a condition of his entry to the UK.

“Helping my brother is the most important thing,” he says.

Although it is unusual for kidney failure patients to require an urgent transplant, as is the case for heart or liver transplants, dialysis is crucial to keep them alive. However, the average life expectancy of someone undergoing dialysis significantly decreases while also dramatically increasing the likelihood of developing heart disease.

Currently around 4,700 patients are waiting for a kidney transplant in the UK, according to NHS Blood and Transplant data. A transplant from a relative is more likely to offer a better match than someone who is not related: in addition, kidney transplants from a living donor have been proven to last longer.

In an email seen by The Independent, Kamel’s doctor at St George’s hospital in south London urged the Greek authorities to facilitate a reunion of the brothers.

Speaking to The Independent via telephone from his home in London, Kamel says a transplant would be life changing.

Syrian primary school pupil acts as an interpreter for his classmates

“I was fit and healthy until suddenly I was very sick one day. My wife begged the UN for help because we couldn’t afford the medical costs in Lebanon and luckily we were granted asylum,” he says.

The few thousand he had in savings, alongside money he borrowed, helped them set up their new life in London.

“Life isn’t easy but the most important thing is health. Money comes and goes, but I need to stay around for my kids,” he says. “My wife has left her family behind to be here and help me. My nine-year-old daughter said recently that she wanted to train to be a ‘kidney doctor’ so that she could help me.

“I want to get better, I want to work and I want to build a better future for my children.”

Greece’s government announced at the end of last month it would accelerate transfers of asylum seekers to the mainland and deportations of those rejected, amid mounting pressure to deal with the escalating number of refugees landing across the Aegean Islands.

Following the announcement, 1,500 people were moved from Lesbos to the mainland. However, 102 boats arrived on Lesbos during the whole of August, according to Norwegian charity Aegean Boat Report, and the population of Moria refugee camp remains around 10,000 despite its 3,000 capacity.