Protection sessions continue at Basmeh & Zeitooneh’s Shatila center, where mothers and young women of different ages gather in a safe and stimulating environment that encourages learning, communication, expression, and interaction. In these sessions, participants receive educational and knowledge-based lessons that help them build new skills, contributing to an improved quality of life and enhancing their presence within their families and the community they live in.
Education, Psychosocial Support, and Digital Skills
In this context, the Protection program offers specialized literacy classes for women, aiming to develop their life skills, enabling them to navigate daily life with confidence, and preparing them for entry into the labor market.
Mohammad, Protection Project Manager for Nabaa and Shatila, explains that in addition to psychosocial support sessions covering various life and social topics, participants also receive literacy classes that include mathematics, reading, and writing letters and words, as well as courses on using the internet and smart devices. He emphasizes that these activities are designed to support women in their daily lives, reduce stress, anger, and the pressures of everyday life, positively affecting their family relationships and mental health.
Literacy Classes: Remarkable Progress
Susan, a Protection trainer, taught mathematics classes and says: “The purpose of the lessons is to enable women to calculate their bills at the market, read signs in public places, read their children’s grade sheets, and even read stories or prayers”. She adds: ”What distinguishes these classes is the participation of mothers and their daughters together, which helps break down barriers, create positive educational interaction between them, and assist them in supervising their children’s homework while strengthening family support”.
Trainer Safia, who teaches Arabic letters and language, expresses pride in the participants who have made noticeable progress after attending five consecutive regular classes. “They have moved from being unable to read to writing letters and reading words”, Safia said.
Safia shares some moving experiences: she recalls one woman telling her that she had once given her child expired medicine because she did not understand the expiration date or how to read it. Today, the participants joyfully shared: “I can now help my son with his homework”, while another proudly said: “I can now write my son’s name correctly”. Safia also notes that participants maintain weekly attendance, forming friendships and supportive connections among themselves and with the trainers.
Stories of Success from the Classrooms
A 50-year-old Syrian woman, mother of six children and grandmother of 12 grandchildren, says she wanted to learn, and through the classes, she has been able to teach her grandchild new letters and words. She describes the environment as safe and comforting, saying with enthusiasm: “Every Tuesday morning, I wake up, have my coffee, and tell my family I’m off to class… This weekly routine brings me joy and keeps me active both mentally and physically”.
A 33-year-old Syrian mother of three recounts her experience after being away from school for many years since leaving Syria. She says returning to class filled her with indescribable happiness, and the lessons have empowered her to support her children’s learning. She can now read signs, measurements, doctors’ names, and other everyday written information both at home and in public spaces.
Empowering Women and Girls to Build a Dignified Future
Through the classes and activities offered by the Protection Program, the team’s dedication, and the provision of a safe learning environment, Basmeh & Zeitooneh continues to uphold its mission of empowering women and girls, strengthening their skills, and promoting healthier communication within families. By investing in women’s learning and knowledge, we create positive ripple effects that support their children, families, and entire communities, paving the way for a more just and dignified future.
Written by: Ibrahim Al-Housseiny
