WATCH: BCF brings joy to refugee children from Rojava through horse-back riding

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) recently organized a horse-back riding event to bring joy to children from Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) who are staying at a refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region.

The BCF organized an all-day event at the Erbil International Equestrian Club in the autonomous Kurdish region’s capital of Erbil. A total of 130 Syrian Kurdish refugee children from the Bardarash Camp took part in the program.

The Bardarash Camp currently hosts over 2,600 Syrian refugee families, equivalent to about 12,000 individuals who fled to the Kurdistan Region following a Turkish military assault on northeastern Syria.

Located on the Erbil-Massif road, the horse club first opened its doors for riding and jumping lessons in 2011. It is now home to some 90 horses, has held several international jumping competitions, and often opens its doors to children who have been displaced or who whose parents were killed in the war against the Islamic State.

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The racing side of the Erbil International Equestrian Club, called the Kurdistan Jockey Club, started holding races in March 2018.

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Larissa, a child at the camp who was displaced from Qamishli, expressed her joy to Kurdistan 24 about the horse-back riding event.

“I am thrilled that my friends and I can ride horses. I want to thank the Barzani Charity Foundation. I am here, and I am pleased. I hope I’m always this happy,” she said.

Other children Kurdistan 24 spoke to said they were grateful for the opportunity and that they were delighted to take part in the program.

A representative from the BCF said the children rode the horses then were given a warm meal and a trip around Erbil before they returned to their families at Bardarash.

“We are always ready to help our brothers and sisters in Rojava, whether it’s sending or providing them with clothing or food,” he told Kurdistan 24. “This time, we thought of another idea and wanted to bring happiness to these children. Aid is not only through food and clothing.”

The BCF is one of the most active humanitarian NGOs in Kurdistan that often provides a substantial amount of aid to internally displaced persons and refugees.

Since Turkey’s military campaign in northern Syria, which began on Oct. 9, the BCF has been the leading humanitarian organization that has sent food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies to displaced Syrians.

The organization was founded in 2005 and strives to honor the great legacy of Malla Mustafa Barzani, the leader of the Kurdish Liberation Movement and influencer of the contemporary Kurdish nation.

Editing by John J. Catherine

(Additional reporting by Zardasht Hame)