Daring to Dream Again: Walid and Lama Share their Ambitions for Life after Displacement in Syria
April 30, 2025
A childhood between displacement and ambition
In the eastern countryside of Idlib, Walid, an 11-year-old boy, was born. He spent his early childhood wandering the narrow alleys of his village, chasing his dreams.
However, the winter of 2019 brought the chaos of war and the sounds of death, forcing Walid and his family to flee their home and begin a journey of repeated displacement, eventually leading them to a camp in northern Idlib.
These harsh conditions deprived Walid of his fundamental right to education during this turbulent time.
Walid was trapped in a cycle of loneliness after being displaced
A new school and difficult beginnings
After settling in the camp, Walid returned to the classroom in one of the camp’s schools. However, the recurrent displacement left him feeling out of place in his new educational environment. The teaching staff observed his isolation from his peers, his visible tension, and his reluctance to join in their games.
These behaviors made him a target for bullying by his classmates, deepening his sense of insecurity and trapping him in a cycle of loneliness and anxiety.
Psychosocial support sessions building a bridge to hope
The school staff reported Walid’s case to the psychosocial support team at Takaful Al Sham organisation. The team responded promptly, and Walid began attending a psychosocial support programme run by Takaful Al Sham which is our implementing partner for the EU's ECHO funded Building a Brighter Future: Education and Protection Services for Crisis-Affected Children in North-West Syria project.
While Walid struggled to adapt, the psychosocial support sessions became his lifeline. These six carefully designed sessions were filled with recreational and educational activities aimed at enhancing children’s psychological and social adjustment.
After attending psychosocial support sessions, Walid's confidence has grown and he has friends to laugh with
From isolation to integration
Over time, Walid began to grow and change, through his participation and efforts in the sessions. He learned new communication skills and developed resilience that helped him tackle his daily challenges with growing confidence.
With great joy, the facilitator of the psychosocial support sessions said:
Today, Walid dreams of returning to his village, continuing his education, and pursuing university studies. What once seemed like an impossible dream now feels closer than ever, thanks to the support he received and the determination that has grown within him.
Walid’s story is not just about a child who overcame challenges; it is a call to action for everyone to support every child seeking a new chance at a better life.
Despite heavy burdens and family responsibilities, Lama never gave up her dream of education
When dreams never end
Lama, a 25-year-old woman displaced from her village in rural Idlib since 2019, had her life uprooted when she and her mother and younger siblings were forced to flee their home. Carrying their shattered dreams, they endured repeated displacement until they finally settled in a camp in rural Idlib.
As the eldest among her siblings and following the death of her father, Lama took on the heavy burden of responsibility amidst harsh living conditions. Yet, she clung to her dream of education, continuing her studies at the College of Education and later embarking on her teaching journey.
Speaking of her challenging beginnings, Lama recalls the early days of her teaching experience:
Through the project, Lama has learnt new, effective techniques to enhance her role as a teacher
A new horizon through the Building a Brighter Future project
Lama’s turning point came through the Building a Brighter Future: Education and Protection Services for Crisis-Affected Children in North-West Syria project, implemented by Takaful Al Sham in partnership with War Child and funded by the European Union through ECHO. The project offered her a golden opportunity to train, acquire advanced skills, and learn new, effective techniques to enhance her role as a teacher.
Lama describes the impact of the training and support provided by the project:
"Joining the training sessions had a tremendous impact on developing my professional performance. The sessions focused on practical, hands-on aspects, complemented by individual supervision.
The support went beyond theoretical training; we received stationery and teaching materials, in addition to close follow-up from the Takaful Al Sham team. Their emphasis on strengthening our skills and addressing weaknesses greatly improved my abilities, especially in lesson preparation and delivering model lessons using modern educational tools."
A vision without limits
Expressing her gratitude for the support she received, Lama acknowledges how the Impact Project bolstered her confidence and expertise, elevating her professional journey to a new level. Despite her achievements so far, Lama carries boundless ambitions. She says:
"I dream of pursuing postgraduate studies at my university. For me, learning has no end; it is a continuous journey toward improvement."
Between the harsh reality of displacement and the dreams of continuous education, Lama lit her path with a passion for learning and a determination for change. She has become a beacon of inspiration for anyone facing challenges on the road to their dreams.
