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Unpacking at the Birds’ Nest

Based on Nellie Miller’s notes, Maria Jacobsen (right) is unpacking supplies sent from Denmark. Miss Jacobsen ran the Birds’ Nest on behalf of Near East Relief, but she was also a missionary with a Danish organization.

Nellie Miller with children dining on the porch at the Birds’ Nest

Nellie Miller’s original caption reads”Watching the babies eat on the spacious veranda of the old palace which was rented to the Near East Relief for a nominal sum because it was standing empty.” Nellie stands at left. The woman at right is probably a mairig, or nurse matron.

Children dining on the porch at the Birds’ Nest

Children take their meal at a long table on the colonnaded porch of the Birds’ Nest Orphanage. Nellie Miller’s original caption reads “Prayer before meal.  See their earnest little faces.”

Refugee woman and baby

Nellie Miller’s original caption reads: “A woman caring for one of the babies at Birdsnest Orphanage, Sidon hilltop.” Based on this caption, the woman is probably not the child’s mother. She is most likely a mairik (matron).

New Near East, June 1924: Children at the Birds’ Nest

New Near East magazine featuring five children at the Birds’ Nest orphanage in Sidon, Syria. The orphanage was operated by Danish missionary Maria Jacobsen on behalf of Near East Relief. The orphanage at Sidon was a very popular subject for the magazine. The Birds’ Nest moved to Jubeil in 1928.

Maria Jacobsen with a baby, 1923

Maria Jacobsen, a Near East Relief worker from KMA, a Danish missionary organization, with a baby. The original caption from the New Near East magazine refers to Miss Jacobsen as the “mother” of the children at the Birds’ Nest Orphanage. Prior to opening the Birds’ Nest in late 1923, Miss Jacobsen operated the orphanage at Zouk.

Two babies at the Birds’ Nest Orphanage in Sidon

Two babies at the Birds’ Nest Orphanage in Sidon, Syria. Danish missionary Maria Jacobsen operated the Birds’ Nest, which cared for some of the youngest children in Near East Relief’s care, in Sidon, Syria. She later moved the orphanage to Jubeil, Syria. This photograph was featured in an April 1924 issue of the New Near East. 

Outdoor beds

Children sometimes slept outdoors to avoid overcrowding. Ill children were often housed in outdoor units to maximize exposure to fresh air.

Maria Jacobsen with a child at the fountain

Danish missionary and Near East Relief worker Maria Jacobsen holds a child up for a drink of water from the fountain on the terrace at the Birds’ Nest orphanage. Nellie Miller’s original caption reads: “Miss Yacobsen playing with the babies at the fountain on the porch.”

Child on steps

Child sitting on the steps at the Birds’ Nest Orphanage. Nellie Miller Mann identifies this child as “Albert.”

Exterior of the Birds’ Nest

The Birds’ Nest was located in a former Druze palace in Sidon, Syria. Maria Jacobsen, a Danish missionary who joined Near East Relief through KMA, oversaw all operations. She was known to the children as “Mama.” Jacobsen later moved the Birds’ Nest to Jubeil, Syria (now Lebanon).

Children playing with carts

Children from the Birds’ Nest playing with toy carts made by boys at Maameltein Orphanage. Includes Nellie Miller’s original handwritten caption.

Maria Jacobsen with a child on her lap

Danish missionary and Near East Relief worker Maria Jacobsen oversaw the Birds’ Nest Orphanage. Miss Jacobsen adopted three children into her own family.

Maria Jacobsen and Nellie Miller with Birds’ Nest children

Maria Jacobsen and Nellie Miller with Birds’ Nest children. Maria Jacobsen was a Danish relief worker who adopted three orphans into her own family. Nellie’s original caption reads: “Little ones flock around for a bit of mother love.”

Saying grace before a Birds’ Nest meal

Children at the Birds’ Nest say grace before a meal. Antranig Karjian is second from the right. Nellie Miller’s original caption reads: “Some of my little ones asking the blessing.  The tinest children at the Birdsnest Orphanage on the Sidon Hilltop eat at a low table always give thanks before eating.”

Birds’ Nest children playing with toy carts

Birds’ Nest children playing on carts made by older orphan  boys at Maameltein Orphanage. Nellie Miller’s original caption reads: “Playing on porch with kiddie cars made by Maameltein Big Boys Industrial.”