To his teachers and classmates at the “Back to the future” educational center in Ghazze in West Bekaa, 12-year-old Amer (alias name) is a remarkable student who stands out and dreams big.
At 6 years old, Amer was about to start attending school when the war started at his homeland, Syria. Amer was forced to be displaced with his family to Lebanon, and his future and right to education were jeopardized.
“Amer is the youngest of three siblings. Due to our displacement, none were able to seek proper education”, says Amer’s mother.
Although Amer found trouble reading and writing in Arabic, and had no previous knowledge of any foreign language, his mother wished for her son to have a second chance.
Thus, Amer was enrolled in the “Back to the Future” education program, and he became a BLN (Basic Literacy and Numeracy) student learning Arabic, English and Mathematics. Three months later, he started showing progress in reading and writing in Arabic, and familiarizing with the English language.
“My teachers helped me overcome all the learning difficulties I had. I feel more comfortable reading out loud in class, and I have been practicing writing in Arabic while working on extra assignments at home. My improvement made me look forward to attend a public school in the upcoming years”, shares Amer.
Expressing her gratitude to the programme, Amer’s mother emphasizes on the importance of the Psychosocial Support Amer is also receiving at the center. “I noticed undeniable positive changes in Amer’s personality. He is becoming more independent and open about his feelings, and committed to his education”, she affirms.
“Back to the Future” is funded by the European Union in Lebanon, through the EU Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian crisis, the EU Madad Fund, and implemented in partnership by AVSI, Terre des hommes Italy in Lebanon and War Child Holland in Lebanon.
March 2022