"I have one question that my mom can't answer," says Linda with a curious smile. "Has anyone tried breathing on Mars and didn't succeed? Why can't we live on Mars?", she asks. Linda, ten, is eagerly waiting for the answer. "She is always curious and her questions never end," says Amira*, Linda's mother.
In 2016, Amira fled to Lebanon to find safety with her family. At first it was difficult. Her daughters, Linda and Vanessa, were upset and stressed. Amira worried about them missing school, and depriving them of an education altogether. However, during a walk at a nearby park Amira saw a sign about the summer education programme at NRC's nearby community centre. She contacted the staff who enrolled her children immediately.
An opportunity for education
Linda and Vanessa are two of the 1,750 children who attended NRC's non-formal education programmes for out of school children in 2016. NRC's Basic Literacy and Numeracy programme provides children with viable pathways to prepare them for government-led formal school. "NRC's classes gave them a safe space to be children and release their energy. They became happier each day. Every morning they were excited about school, making friends and having fun," says Amira.
"We learnt the alphabet by handcrafting letters. I handcrafted the best K letter," says an excited Vanessa. "I loved my teachers. Everyone treated me well and no one was mean," Linda continues. "I felt relieved when they started. Seeing happiness in their eyes before and after school was enough. It made me happy, they enjoyed education. Vanessa smiled and was happy every day. I can't explain my feelings," says Amira.
NRC’s classes gave them a safe space to be children and release their energy. They became happier each day. Every morning they were excited about school, making friends and having funAmira, mother
The NRC learning centre teaches classes in math, French and Arabic to refugee children so they can adapt to the Lebanese curriculum once they start in governmental schools. After finishing the classes, the sisters were referred to a nearby public school. Although both girls are good students and Vanessa is top of her class, they feel this school is less child friendly. "There is no time for breaks or recreational activities. They attend classes in the afternoon so teachers rush to finish before dark. It affects their well-being," says Amira who was an art teacher in Syria before fleeing to Lebanon.
Ambitious dreams
Linda and Vanessa dream about Mars and flying dragons. "My sister wants to discover dragons and fly on them," Vanessa whispers. "But I want to help mum when I grow up," she says. "I want to become a scientist and discover everything in the world," Linda adds. The positive energy of this young girl spreads across the room as she talks about her dreams. "Linda is often the leader and the children in our neighbourhood in Syria loved to play with her. Vanessa is caring and always wants to support," says Amira.
"I want to return home, to be independent and have my freedom back," says Amira. "I never thought we would become refugees. I love Syria. It was peaceful and safe. I was happy. I always tell myself there is no war and we will return soon. At least that's the attitude I must have to survive the day," Amira concludes.
By providing access and pathways to quality education opportunities in Lebanon for refugee children and youth, NRC aims at enhancing their protection, self-reliance, capacity to cope with displacement, while supporting their cognitive, social and emotional development to enable them achieve their full potential as positive contributors to their societies.
"Back to school" campaign
During the fall 2017, NRC is participating in the "Back to School" campaign led by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) to ensure free access to formal certified education for all children in Lebanon – Lebanese and non-Lebanese – and to integrate them into Lebanese public schools. NRC is devoted to supports this campaign annually to offer quality education support to Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian children and youth. This campaign is done in close coordination with the Ministry, UN agencies, humanitarian organizations and school directors around the country.
* Names have been changed.
