Making Kawthar’s Dream a Reality

Through an ECW-funded self-learning programme delivered by UNICEF in Syria, a physically impaired 13-year-old girl attends school for the first time

By Education Cannot Wait

June 29^th, 2021

Story from the field. Special contribution by UNICEF Syria (Original)

It was not until 2019 that 13-year-old Kawthar first saw the inside of a classroom.

“I always wanted to be like all other children; to grab my bag and head to school; to read, write and learn,” she says.

For years, Kawthar's family, originally from the Ghwairan neighbourhood in Al-Hasakeh city, had to flee the violence nearing their home and seek safety in different locations within the governorate. In all, Kawthar and her family were displaced five times. But that's not the only reason why she was cut off from the safety, hope and opportunity of an education.

As a child who suffers from stunting, a physical impairment affecting one’s growth, Kawthar was unable to walk for long distances or extended periods of time. Her family was financially unable to pay for her transportation to school, and the nearest school was some 20 kilometres away from Kawthar’s home – forcing her to remain without an education for six years.

A self-learning programme funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and delivered by UNICEF is supporting thousands of out-of-school children like Kawthar in accessing educational opportunities - some for the first time in their lives.

Kathwar practices in her notebook thanks to ECW funding. Photo © UNICEF/Syria 2020/Delil Souleiman

“I was teased by other children for the way I looked, so I would stay at home and help my mother with housework,” says Kawthar, who rarely left the house when she was out of school. Not feeling accepted by some of her peers had an impact on Kawthar’s confidence.

Although being home with her family was almost the only place she could feel safe, her unfulfilled wish to learn made Kawthar feel at times as if she was imprisoned within the walls of the family’s house. She questioned whether after years of conflict, displacement and hardship, she would ever have a better future or learn to become a fashion designer, her dream.

Three years later, her wish came true. Kawthar recalls the moment that she and her parents heard from relatives about UNICEF's Back to Learning campaign.

“I could not stop smiling. I knew then that my dream could become a reality,” says Kawthar.

Soon after, Kawthar enrolled in Grade 1 of UNICEF’s self-learning programme, especially designed to help out-of-school children or those who missed out on their education catch up to their peers, eventually supporting them to reintegrate into regular school. Her joy became even greater when UNICEF volunteers told her that transportation would be available from her neighbourhood to school.

Kathwar, 13, poses inside a UNICEF-supported self-learning centre in Al-Hasakeh, northeast Syria. © UNICEF/Syria 2020/Delil Souleiman

“I like attending classes. The teachers are very helpful. Whenever there’s something that I don’t understand, I ask them to explain or repeat,” says Kawthar.

Her determination to learn and the support of her mother has helped Kawthar rebuild her self-confidence. “It’s not easy for me to find friends, but the ones I have, now, are very kind. Also, if I’m ever teased at school, I let my teachers know, so they can help me handle the situation.”

“My first day at school was fantastic,” she adds.

For the past three years, Kawthar has studied hard and has been doing well at school. This year, she completes Grade 3 of the self-learning programme. Despite last year’s COVID-19 challenges, including disruptions to school attendance, Kawthar remains as excited about continuing her education as when she first started attending the self-learning centre.

“I wish for all children to be able to go to school. And I certainly hope that nobody gets displaced anymore and that we all remain safe.”

Kawthar, 13, hangs out with her cousin Juhaina outside her house in Ghwairan neighbourhood, Al-Hasakeh. © UNICEF/Syria 2020/Delil Souleiman

Thanks to a generous contribution from Education Cannot Wait, the UN's global fund for education in emergencies, since November 2020, UNICEF has reached some 2,600 out-of-school children in the Al-Hasakeh governorate, including those with disabilities, through the self-learning programme.

The self-learning programme is delivered in four UNICEF-rehabilitated centers, equipped with essential learning materials – including white boards, stationary materials and recreational kits. As part of COVID-19 prevention measures, UNICEF provided the centers with cleaning and sanitization materials, ensuring a safe and hygienic learning environment for children. Children benefiting from the programme were also provided with stationary to ease some of the financial burdens on their families.

More than 2,100 children were also supported with transportation between their homes and the self-learning centres, improving their access to education. Prior to the launch of the self-learning centres in Al-Hasakeh, UNICEF-supported community outreach volunteers went door-to-door, raising the awareness of children and caregivers about children’s right to education and spreading the word about the self-learning programme.

ECW's "Story from the Field" series features the voices of our implementing partners, children, youth and the communities we support. These stories have only been lightly edited to reflect the authentic voice of these front-line partners in their field. The views expressed in this series do not necessarily reflect those of ECW, our Secretariat, donors, or UN member states.

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