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Millions of people are still living far from home after fleeing the four-year war in Syria — refugee life is their new reality, filled with heartbreak and challenges.

Some fled to refugee camps, and others now live in host communities in Syria's neighboring countries. Many had to run from their homes with only the few personal items they could carry.

These items have become bittersweet symbols of home and hope — they connect them to the life they've loved and ache to regain one day.

To shed light on the personal experiences in the midst of this crisis, we visited Syrians participating in our programs in Jordan and asked: What is the most important thing you brought with you? Produced with funds provide by Mercy Corps.

Sajida, 14, and her family left their home in Daraa, Syria for the safety of Jordan two and a half years ago. She and her close friends exchanged necklaces.

“At the beginning of the war we didn’t know what was going to happen, we thought we might get separated so we gave each other gifts to remember one another by.” All of the other girls have remained in Syria. This necklace is from her best friend, Batool.

Sajida participates in arts and crafts at school in this Mercy Corps extracurricular classroom in Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees, Jordan, May 2015.

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Sumaya Agha for Mercy Corps
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Symbols of home and hope, Jordan–for Mercy Corps
Millions of people are still living far from home after fleeing the four-year war in Syria — refugee life is their new reality, filled with heartbreak and challenges.<br /> <br /> Some fled to refugee camps, and others now live in host communities in Syria's neighboring countries. Many had to run from their homes with only the few personal items they could carry.<br /> <br /> These items have become bittersweet symbols of home and hope — they connect them to the life they've loved and ache to regain one day.<br /> <br /> To shed light on the personal experiences in the midst of this crisis, we visited Syrians participating in our programs in Jordan and asked: What is the most important thing you brought with you? Produced with funds provide by Mercy Corps.<br /> <br /> Sajida, 14, and her family left their home in Daraa, Syria for the safety of Jordan two and a half years ago. She and her close friends exchanged necklaces.<br /> <br /> “At the beginning of the war we didn’t know what was going to happen, we thought we might get separated so we gave each other gifts to remember one another by.” All of the other girls have remained in Syria. This necklace is from her best friend, Batool.<br /> <br /> Sajida participates in arts and crafts at school in this Mercy Corps extracurricular classroom in Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees, Jordan, May 2015.
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