I think getting an education is very important if not the most important thing there is.
Alaa el Dine and Shaeela live in Al Zarqa and are originally from Aleppo. They have 7 children, 4 of which go to a Back to the Future school in al Ghouwariyya, Jordan. Despite the fact of not having been able to complete their education, they were adamant on sending their kids to school to secure their future. “I think getting an education is very important if not the most important thing there is. Why would you want to stay blind and not know how to read?” says Shaeela.
School had a positive effect on the girls’ academic performances: “my daughters are doing well at school and I hope they will end up getting good jobs. Don’t we all wish the best for our children?” says Sala El Dine. Attending classes also helped them mentally and psychologically, having gone through all the difficulties and challenges of fleeing their country and adapting to a new reality. “They improved their academic performance and also relaxed a lot mentally,” explains their father. Going to the centre every day gave them a purpose and a new sense of stability that they lost when Daesh occupied their hometown. “They became more serene and relaxed. They also have higher levels of energy. When they get up every morning at seven, they are enthusiastic to go to the centre,” adds their mother.
Back in their hometown where Daesh was in control, the kids couldn’t go to school and girls were not allowed to finish their education. “Here the girls have the chance to get better education and there are more activities for them. […] Their prospects are much better. Really, much better,” says Shaeela.
With the support of the EU, through the Trust Fund, Back to the Future gives almost 100,000 Syrian refugee and local children in Jordan and Lebanon access to informal education and protection, and a better chance to, one day, go back to the official education system.
The girls’ future looks promising and their good performance at the centre allowed them to catch up to their peers’ level: they will be able to integrate in the official school system and finish their education.