In a powerful moment on the debut season of MBC The Voice Kids, 9-year-old Syrian contestant Ghina Bou Hemdan moved the audience and judges to tears with her emotional performance of “Give Us Childhood, Give Us Peace.”
The song, originally by Lebanese singer Remi Bandali, was written in the 1980s to highlight the suffering of children during the Lebanese Civil War. Today, it echoes the same heartbreak for Syrian children living under the shadow of war.
A Song for Every Syrian Child
Before her audition, Ghina told MBC that she had never seen a theme park in real life—only heard about it from her older sister. “I only see the bloody sky, hear bombs, and feel afraid every day,” she said in her pre-performance interview. Her voice cracked with emotion on stage, and tears streamed down her face when judge Nancy Ajram turned her chair in approval.
When asked why she cried, Ghina responded simply: “Because I’m happy.”
Social Media Reactions: “Because Syrian Kids Deserve Joy & Peace”
The moment quickly went viral across the Arab world. Social media users rallied around the young girl, praising her courage and shedding light on the realities of Syria’s war through her voice.
Actress Heba Bitar tweeted: “Because Syrian kids deserve joy & peace.”
Other tweets captured the region’s emotional response:
اعطونا الطفولة 😭😭 اخ ياغنى فتحتي جروحاتنا #mbcthevoicekids
— Fatema.kh🇸🇾 (@FatemaCyrine) January 2, 2016
I can't that little Syrian girl on #MbcTheVoiceKids is waay too adorable😭😭
— نورا (@noushfatoush) January 2, 2016
Because Syrian kids deserve joy and peace #SaveSyriaChildren #MBCTheVoiceKids
— Heba Bitar (@HebaBitar) January 2, 2016
#mbcthevoicekids when little kids are singing and asking for peace to their countries 💔 #PrayForSyria
— Miral 🇵🇸𓂆 (@MiralAli03) January 2, 2016
A Voice Heard Around the Arab World
Ghina’s appearance on MBC The Voice Kids didn’t just showcase her talent—it spotlighted the voices of millions of displaced and traumatized Syrian children. Her message, delivered through song, resonated far beyond the stage.
