After nearly 12 years of war in Syria, a devastating earthquake struck, writing a new chapter in the Syrian tragedy. Children have been and continue to be its most prominent victims. The war deprived them of education and other rights of childhood, leaving lasting psychological effects that may not be healed anytime soon.
Rola[1], a 9-year-old Syrian girl studying in second grade, lived with her family in the village of Kafr Yahmul in the Idlib countryside, north of Syria. She used to go to school every morning with great happiness and enthusiasm. However, life circumstances forced her family to move from their village to the city of Afrin, northern Syria, after Rola’s father found a suitable job opportunity there. However, the family did not expect the absence of a nearby school to their new home in Afrin. Rola’s mother says:
“After arriving in Afrin, we started looking for a nearby school so that my daughter could continue her education. Unfortunately, there was only a school that was very far from our home. We enrolled Rola in it, but I was very worried about her going there because the road was long, difficult, and dangerous.”
To ensure Rola’s safety, her parents decided not to continue sending her to that distant school. However, educating children remained a top priority in the family. Rola’s mother began providing education for her daughter at home, using available resources to ensure she wouldn’t be completely deprived of education. This arrangement continued for an entire school semester until the sudden and destructive earthquake occurred, causing the family’s house to collapse and forcing them to flee and return to the village of Kafr Yahmul.
Once the family settled in Kafr Yahmul, Rola’s parents encouraged her to return to her old school and resume her education. However, she only attended the school a few times before she stopped going. The reason for this interruption was the extreme fear that the earthquake had left in her. Rola says:
“After the earthquake, I felt intense fear of going to school, afraid that the classroom would collapse on us if another earthquake happened. I went a few times, but I would sit alone and not go out to the schoolyard. After that, I stopped going to school altogether.”
The school’s psychological support worker contact with Rola’s mother due to her frequent absences. They learned the whole story and collaborated to encourage the girl to return to school. Rola attended the “back-to-school” event, and the psychological support worker organized various activities to integrate her with the other children. They also conducted special sessions to address the fear and anxiety that accompanied Rola after the earthquake. These efforts were successful, as Rola took a test and was placed in the appropriate grade level based on her academic abilities. She began attending school every morning without interruption.
Rola spoke about the details of her current school, saying:
“I am now studying in the second grade, but I should be in the third grade. I have five friends at school, and we play together and have a lot of fun. They are like sisters to me. I also really love Miss Hanan because she helped me return to school. She cares about me a lot, encourages me, asks about my needs, and communicates with my mother to stay updated on my studies at home.”
Rola’s mother played a crucial role in supporting and encouraging her to continue attending school and pursuing her education. Rola says:
“My mother encourages me a lot to study. After I come back from school, she prepares food for me and talks to me about my school. Then she helps me understand the lessons and complete my homework.”
During this time, Rola’s condition noticeably improved for her family. Her mother says:
“After Rola returned to school, her mental state improved significantly. She interacts better and loves school a lot. I hope this improvement continues so that my daughter can complete her education and excel in it.”
When asked about her dream, Rola shared it, saying:
“I dream of completing my education and becoming a teacher to help children in the future.” Rola overcame obstacles and challenges with the continuous support and encouragement from her parents, particularly her mother, who served as the main pillar she relied on to continue her educational journey. This journey will lead her to achieve her dream, paving the way for a bright future filled with accomplishments.
[1] The name was changes according to the protection principles.
