The Child Friendly Spaces offer children in refugee camps a safe place to play, teaches basic hygiene and allows the kids to engage in emotional therapy through arts and crafts.
"It creates a sense of a normal routine," said Gladding, a senior program manager with World Vision Canada. "As a mom myself I've definitely learned the importance of that routine for kids. It allows them to have a normal sense of life again and to introduce play to have a chance to just be kids."
Although Gladding has also been to Haiti and Pakistan as part of World Vision's natural disaster relief efforts, she said the children in Lebanon give her the greatest concern.
"It's the need for protection and the need to have some education" which concerns me most said Gladding. "We are talking about a lost generation potentially as a result of (the Syrian) crisis so to be able to get kids back to school I think is the most important thing at this point."
Founded in 1954 World Vision, the global entity of World Vision Canada, traditionally focused on relief efforts ranging from finding water and sanitation solutions to providing medical and food supplies. But with so many children being impacted by the crisis in Syria today, World Vision has put greater emphasis on helping those who are the most vulnerable - the kids.
"The latest numbers indicate that about 1.6 million people are refugees out of Syria," said Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada. "What we are especially concern about today is that half of them are children."
Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada.
Photo by Evan Boudreau
And that's what has prompted the organization establish these Child Friendly Spaces in four refugee camps in Lebanon.
But increased efforts require extra funding and that's why on June 26 World Vision Canada invited children to play in a replica Child Friend Space while tugging at the hearts of adults outside of Toronto's Cathedral Church of St. James.
"The work that World Vision is doing ... we need more funding to do it," said Toycen. "We're inviting people to make contributions to that. The biggest challenge right now is fundraising."
According to Toycen raising money for its Syrian efforts poses a larger challenge than in the past because of the violent context surrounding the refugees. With these camps costing about $2,000 a month to operate, Toycen called on Canadians to open their hearts, their wallet and their mouths on this issue to garner greater support.
"I'm just delighted that we are able to take a stand on a beautiful summer day," he told about 30 people on hand. "Yes we've got challenges in Canada but believe me it's nothing compared to what these people are facing in their refugee camps."
Six-year-old Sarah O'Brien said she sees the importance of the Child Friendly Spaces after playing in the replica that morning.
"It's important because we are all God's children and we all have to have fun."
While much of the morning's event was scored by the sound of children laughing and playing, Toycen made sure the emphasis remained on the serious issue of the children affected by the Syrian crisis.
"We want to draw attention today to these Child Friendly Spaces," he said. "Be a positive person about this by encouraging our government to do more and by simply being someone who encourages friends, relatives (and) acquaintances to not give up on this. Be part of the light that needs to be shining to bring hope to these families."