Ricky Martin is Syrian refugees' hero in Lebanon

World renowned singer and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Ricky Martin visited Lebanon to meet with Syrian refugee children. Martin met with refugee children in camps in Zahle, the Bekaa Valley and Minnieh.

 

This beautiful girl randomly came running towards me and hugged me soooo tight. She wouldn't let go. later I found out she had lost both her parents in the conflict. Estas hermosa criatura de la nada vino corriendo a mí y me da un abrazo tan fuerte. No me soltaba. De más está decir que me robó el corazón. Luego me enteré que desafortunadamente había perdido a su madre y padre en el conflicto. #ChildrenofSyria @uniceflebanon

A photo posted by Ricky (@ricky_martin) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:18pm PDT

In Minnieh, children performed “Maria,” one of the singer’s hits, and played football with the pop star. He also met with teenagers receiving training in life skills.

 

I have new Syrian friends in Lebanon. I truly admire their perseverance and spirit in spite of the hardships they are facing. More than a million Syrians have sought refuge in Lebanon since the start of the crisis and more than half of them are children. They shouldn't be forgotten. Proud to be a @UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to help raise awareness for the #ChildrenofSyria @UNICEFLebanon is working in the more than 2000 informal settlements across Lebanon to give every child a chance to be what they want in life. UNICEF provides a package of services for these children such as education services, protection services, health care and clean water. Every child has a right to these services. Every child has a right to enjoy childhood. #ChildrenofSyria @UNICEF @UNICEFLebanon P.s. The song on the video is performed by the kids living in the camps. Aqui con Mis nuevos amigos sirios en el Libano. Admiro su perseverancia y el espíritu a pesar de las dificultades que se enfrentan día a día. Más de un millón de sirios han buscado refugio en el Líbano desde el inicio de la crisis y más de la mitad de ellos son niños. Ellos no deben ser olvidados. Orgulloso ser un embajador de buena voluntad de @UNICEF para ayudar a crear conciencia para los #NiñosDeSiria. @UNICEFLebanon está trabajando en los más de 2.000 asentamientos informales de todo el Líbano para dar a cada niño la oportunidad de ser lo que quieren en la vida. @UNICEF proporciona un conjunto de servicios para estos niños, tales como los servicios de educación, servicios de protección, atención médica y agua potable. Todos los niños tienen derecho a estos servicios. Todos los niños tienen derecho a disfrutar de su infancia. #ChildrenofSyria @UNICEF @rickymartinfoundation P.d. La cancion qué escuchas en el video es realizada por los niños que viven en el campamento.

A video posted by Ricky (@ricky_martin) on Jun 3, 2016 at 6:09am PDT

The star, whose charity and advocacy work has focused on combating child labor and human trafficking, said he was moved by a Syrian refugee from Homs whom he met in the Bekaa Valley.

Martin expressed regret at the state of refugee children in the region and was deeply affected as they recounted their experiences.

According to UNICEF, child refugees are particularly at risk of exploitation and abuse.

 

Listening to their stories. #ChildrenofSyria. #syrianrefugees #syrianrefugeechildren #Lebanon

A photo posted by Ricky (@ricky_martin) on Jun 3, 2016 at 5:31am PDT