Alaa, 14, from Daraya, attends the Centre for children in Sahnaia on the outskirts of Damascus.

Alaa said: “I come to the centre to learn, to strengthen my knowledge. It is useful for our education. I used to study English, Arabic and Mathematics. I like to study the Arabic language the most. I like it because it’s easy, and the teacher teaches and explains well.

“It’s been three years since we’ve been displaced from Daraya. We left because there were a lot of raids, and a lot of shelling in our area, That is why we left. We are five girls and three boys. The journey was a bit difficult, because when we first left, we went to Lebanon and then we came here. We went to Beirut first, and we stayed there for a year. We returned to Syria, because all of my family were here, and my uncles and all relatives are here. My three older siblings they travelled to Germany due to the situation, and to continue their studies, and we remained here in Syria, myself and sister, and twin siblings, and my father and mother.

“It was difficult living in Beirut. We don’t know anyone there, like just a few families, my father’s friends, but we were not very close to them. So we returned here to Syria, to where my whole family is. I didn’t go to school in Lebanon. I continued my studies when I arrived here.

“I’m always in touch with my siblings. They tell me life is good over there. They live in a house and the situation is good, it’s ok. They have just started studying.

“When I grow up I would like to become a cardiologist, so that I could treat anyone who has heart conditions, to help them.

“I hope that the crisis in Syria is resolved, and that everyone returns to their homes, so that we can see our friends and we go back to reminisce about the old days.

“For the children who left Syria, I hope that when the crisis is resolved, they will be able to come back and not stay abroad for long.”

Supported by NRC, the centre is run by a community-based association which assists around 150 displaced children from across Syria and others from the community catch up on their education. The centre runs catch-up classes for children and hosts recreational and life skills activities through its Summer Programme for children who have been out of school because of the crisis and displacement. Children are prepared to pass government-recognised exams in Arabic, Maths and English so they can eventually return to formal schools. NRC also helps to facilitate a vital link between this community-based initiative and the Ministry of Education.

NRC has been supporting the centre since June 2016, providing student backpacks and supplies, teaching materials, teacher training, and providing administrative support to the association.

Photo: Karl Schembri/NRC
24 August 2016

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