Imagining a better world: In Jordan, young Syrian refugees pursue education
Since it started in 2011, the war in Syria has killed or injured around 12,000 children and pushed over 90% of the country’s children into poverty. Millions of other Syrians have fled to the relative safety of nearby countries—including Jordan, which is now home to some three million registered refugees. That includes some 2.3 million from Palestine and almost 700,000 from Syria. Nearly half of the Syrians are under age 18.
It’s always been hard for refugee children to get an education. But the pandemic has made it only harder. In Jordan, UNICEF, UNRWA and UN Volunteers are working to make sure young Syrian and Palestinian refugees aren’t left behind. Below, meet some Syrian refugee children who attend UN-supported educational centres, as well as some UN Volunteers who are helping support better education policy for all refugees.
Sham: “My passion is football”
“My passion is football,” says Sham. “I want to become a famous football player like Ronaldo and join Paris-St. Germain Football Club."
Sham was just a little girl when, in 2013, she and her family escaped the violence in their Syrian hometown of Dara’a. There, she had attended school for just a few days.
Now age 14, she lives with her family in Jordan, in the Za’atari refugee camp. She is enrolled at a UNICEF-supported Makani centre, which offers classes, computers, and sports and recreational activities.
Mazen: “Not what I dreamt of”
“The COVID-19 pandemic transformed this world into a turmoil,” says Mazen, 14. “But the impact of the war in Syria was far worse, eroding our lives and separating us from our loved ones and our beloved country.”
“We are safe here,” says Mazen pointing to a tiny house made of corrugated iron. “But this is not what I dreamt of.”
“I am so happy that they re-opened the centre, because it provides opportunities to gain respite,” says Mazen. “At the centre, I also strengthen my Arabic, English and math, and I also learn how to use the computer.”
Eman: “I love Makani centre”
Eman and her family fled the violence in their hometown Dara’a and sought shelter at Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan. To support these vulnerable children, UNICEF is providing integrated package of services through Makani programme.
“I love Makani centre because I am able to learn better,” giggles Eman. “Schools are usually over-crowded, and I cannot follow my teachers easily.”
Zain: “I left when I was only 2 years old”
Zain, a 10-year-old boy remembers nothing about his hometown in Syria, except for the stories he hears from his parents.
With his family of eight, Zain fled the war in Syria. “I left when I was only 2 years old,” says Zain. “Here, I feel safe, and I enjoy learning and playing with my friends.”
Zain enjoys Makani centres to the fullest. Yet, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, these centres were closed.
“I was bored stuck at home. I had nothing to do,” says Zain. “I missed playing football with my best friend Mohammad.”
“I want to become a pharmacist like my aunt,” says Eman. “This is why I am trying hard to learn here at Makani centre.”
UN Volunteers: “Many refugee students have struggled”
The Makani centres support students directly with classes, recreation, and a place to make friends. Meanwhile, UNRWA and UN Volunteers are working also at the policy level to support schools and governments in making sure all children have learning opportunities.
“Many refugee students have struggled to continue their studies online during school closures,” says Saki Komahashi. “The costs associated with mobile phones, computers and internet access have impacted their ability to gain digital skills. In some cases, a single mobile phone is shared by an entire household.”
Saki is a UN Volunteer supporting refugees in Jordan. She serves with UNRWA as Youth Outreach and Development Officer and is spearheading the development of an Agency youth strategy. Saki is researching how UNRWA and its partners can best provide youth with basic services including education, health and social services and learning programmes adapted to the COVID-19.
Another UN Volunteer, Jongmin, serves with the Education section at UNICEF Jordan. He analyzes data from the Ministry of Education to identify the needs and priorities of schools, and also works with data from Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps, non-formal and second-chance education programmes for youth separated from school, with an eye toward re-enrollment.
The start of school
“These children have suffered a lot,” says Abeer, a Makani centre facilitator. That suffering has grown, after more than 10 years of war.
There are now 3.2 million Syrian children who are out of school in Syria and neighboring countries. Today, with the new school-year approaching, education cannot wait for the refugee children in crisis.
Story is based on two stories written by Monique Awad and AbdelMajid El-Noaimi, UNICEF and a story originally posted on UN Jordan. Editorial support provided by Elie Baaklini and Paul VanDeCarr of the Development Coordination Office. For more information on the United Nations' work in Jordan, please visit: Jordan.UN.org. To learn more about the results of our work in this area and beyond, please read the UNSDG Chair Report on DCO.
