Dream Day Foundation releases refugee children’s Hope soundtrack from Za’atari

Dream Day Foundation has released “Amal” — Arabic for hope — a soundtrack created by Syrian children in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp after more than two and a half years of music programming. The project underscores how arts education is being used to support healing, expression and long-term development for young refugees.

Why it matters: - The soundtrack puts a spotlight on the role music can play in trauma recovery, self-expression and resilience for children living through displacement. - The project also highlights a broader funding gap in refugee support, as donor support for development programming has declined while needs remain high in Za’atari. - Dream Day Foundation frames the program as an investment in Syria’s future, with many participants hoping to return home when conditions allow.

What happened: - Dream Day Foundation released a first-of-its-kind soundtrack titled “Amal,” which means hope in Arabic, on World Refugee Day, June 20. - The music was created by Syrian children in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp. - The soundtrack caps more than two and a half years of music programming led by Dream Day Foundation with Questscope and Playing for Change Foundation. - Dream Day Foundation says the initiative is the first formal music program in the Za’atari camp.

The details: - The Music for Refugees program started in September 2023 with British singer and artist Ellie Goulding. - The program grew from 30 children to 250 Syrian children and more than eight music teachers in Za’atari. - Za’atari sits about 15 km from the Syrian border. - The camp is home to 51,000 Syrian refugees, and more than half are under 18. - The population has fallen from 85,000 before the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, as Syrians have returned home. - Many refugees in the camp still need basic humanitarian support and development services in education, sports and music. - Khaled, 17, said learning the oud helped him improve himself and take part in something new. - Yumna, 14, said learning guitar helped her psychologically and made it easier to express herself. - Heba said the oud program helped her overcome stress and shyness and called it one of the most beautiful experiences she has lived. - Todd Krim, Dream Day Foundation founder, said listening to the soundtrack gave him goosebumps and showed how human potential can flourish when children are given the chance to learn, create and thrive. - Maen Rayyan, director of Questscope Jordan, said the program has become a source of healing, self-expression and hope.

Between the lines: - The release is as much a statement about arts access as it is about music, positioning creative programming as part of humanitarian aid rather than an optional extra. - The timing on World Refugee Day and the UN refugee agency’s “Solidarity with Refugees” theme adds a public-facing advocacy layer to the soundtrack launch. - The push to frame the project as both emotional support and future investment reflects a longer-term bet that arts education can help stabilize young refugees now and support recovery later.

What's next: - Dream Day Foundation is asking supporters to listen to Amal on Spotify and help expand the program. - The organization says continued funding will be needed to sustain and grow music and arts opportunities for refugees. - The children involved in the program continue to learn instruments and build skills that could carry into future education and, eventually, life beyond the camp.

The bottom line: - Amal is both a music release and a proof point for refugee arts programming: a small cultural project with claims of real emotional and developmental impact.