Elementary School Poster Competition

Ahmad, 51, teaches maths in the schoolhouse he built in the informal settlement where he lives in jordan — Ahmad, 51, teaches math in the schoolhouse he built in the informal settlement where he now lives in Mafraq, Jordan.

Meet Ahmad - he was a farmer in Syria, but civil war forced him and his family to leave in 2012. The civil war in Syria has forced almost 12 million people to flee their homes and left over 2 million children out of school.

When Ahmad saw none of the children in his community could read or write, he decided to be their teacher. He teaches more than 40 Syrian children, ranging from 5 to 13 in Mafraq, Jordan. The school children meet at 8 a.m. until noon, six days a week and the walls of the classroom are covered in posters teaching English, Arabic, science and math.

A boy attends class in a tent in an informal settlement outside mafraq, jordan — July 2018, Mafraq, Jordan. A boy attends class in a tent in an informal settlement outside Mafraq where 23 families live.

What would we like you to do?

Take a moment to think about how Ahmad's classroom compares to your own. What is similar and what is different?

Now we would like you to draw a poster. On one half of your poster, draw your own classroom, and on the other half, draw how you imagine Ahmad’s classroom. (Feel free to draw your regular classroom, or if you are learning from home right now, you can choose to draw any place where you do your school work. It's up to you!)

In considering the experience of children across the world and how it compares to your own, you are becoming a global humanitarian. It is a way to show your support and look out for children all over the world.

“Children in this generation are the future. Because of that, I started this school.” - Ahmad

The Guidelines

Who can enter?

Any elementary school student

What should I draw my poster on?

An 8.5” x 11” standard piece of paper

What colors can I use?

Any! You can use as many as you like. You can use felt-tips, paints, crayons and pencils.

When is the competition?

The closing date is June 1, 2020, and the winner will be announced in June.

Is there a prize?

The winning poster will be turned into our 2020 Thank You cards we send to our supporters and fundraisers around the world to show our appreciation.

Where do I send my poster?

If you are able and it is safe to, please send your poster to us at Mercy Corps, Attn: Lauren Corr, 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, OR, 97204

Please make sure your poster is scheduled to arrive by June 1!

Another option is to take a picture or scan the drawing and send it to pdxactioncenter@mercycorps.org (alternatively, students can send it to their class teacher who would send in all posters towards the closing date).

Unfortunately we are unable to return posters that get sent by mail, and we ask that you keep all original posters that have been emailed to us until after the winner is announced.

All competition entries must include the student's name, age, and name of school on the back of each poster.