Syrian Refugees Get a Taste of ‘La Vida Loca’ in Lebanon

Friendly games of football and a singalong to the hit song “Maria” with everyone’s favorite Puerto Rican singer, Ricky Martin, brought a sense of joy on a humanitarian trip to Northern Lebanon to visit Syrian children living in Lebanese refugee camps. The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador was visiting Zahleh, in the Bekaa Valley, and Minnieh in Tripoli to bring to awareness to the exploitation of refugee children.

He met with a young Syrian girl who is “working in agriculture, 12 hours a day. And she’s getting paid with water.” The singer expressed that the word “refugee” had lost its value. Martin also believes that education can help elevate the lives of refugees. “At this point what we want is to make sure children get their rights. Some children unfortunately are not going to school.”

Martin’s focus as an ambassador is bringing awareness and an end to the human trafficking and child labor which young Syrian refugees have unfortunately fallen victim to of since their widespread displacement. The singer urged the international community to “open its heart.”

WE SAID THIS: Check out these 9 Small NGOs Dedicated to Syrian Refugees.