Shahd
Thanks to the support of Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, Shahd was provided the opportunity to continue education at the Smart Syrian School in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The Smart Syrian School provides Syrian curriculum approved by the Syrian Ministry of Education. Its remedial classes aim to help students who were out of school to catch up with the curriculum and provide extra support to those who are not doing well.
Shahd was introduced to the school by her neighbor when she was 16 years old and had only completed up to Grade 3. Typically, Grade 3 students are 8-9 years old. She had dropped out after Grade 3 because her family could not afford the school fees in the UAE. Over the past two years at the Smart Syrian School, she has progressed to Grade 9, and she feels that she is one step closer to making her parents proud.
Shahd is from Syria. She was born in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and lives with her mother and six siblings. Her father passed away a few years ago, and there is no stable income supporting the family of eight. Just like her siblings, Shahd wants to complete her education to access formal employment opportunities to support herself and her family. When she started the Smart Syrian School, she knew nobody and was shy to talk and present herself, as she was one of the elder children in the classroom. However, through the program she was supported by the Syrian School via the online sessions and Lotus Retal via the in- person remedial sessions. Shahd mentions the teachers are extremely patient and accommodating towards all levels. The program has not only helped her progress academically but also gave her a sense of self- worth and confidence to express her opinions and speak her mind.
She mentions, “At a time when I was not going to school, the idea of completing my education was a far-fetched dream to me. Today, this dream is my reality – and I cannot wait to continue living this dream and aim higher and higher” while quoting that she finds herself in a much better situation than her extended family who have migrated into other neighboring countries from Syria. Motivated by her ambitions for personal and professional growth, she seeks to extend the impact beyond herself, aspiring to empower her siblings – who are also enrolled in school and vocational trainings supported by Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund.