Brothers Mahmoud el Hajj Moussa, 8, (right) and Jihad el Hajj Moussa, 3, (left) are Palestinian refugee children who have Spina Bifida. They live in the El Buss Palestinian Refugee camp in South Lebanon, along with 450 other children with disabilities. The brothers wait expectantly for the start of a special event to commemorate International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The day included a clown, sign language instruction, face painting for younger children and art activities.

Palestinian refugee children with disabilities are among the most marginalised in Lebanon. Denied the right to education and integration with wider society, they are missing out on the joys and opportunities of childhood that other children take for granted. A special event organised by World Vision and a local partner gave children reason to smile, but much more needs to be done to enable them to shine…Photos & text by Patricia Mouamar, World Vision Lebanon.