Jana is a bright and determined 10-year-old girl who lives with her mother, Arij, and four siblings in a small village nestled in the beautiful Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Since their displacement to Lebanon in 2014, Jana’s family had faced the daily struggles of living in a conflict-ridden area and navigating through economic hardships. Both Arij and Jana understood the importance of education in shaping Jana’s future, but they were faced with numerous obstacles that stood in their path to accessing it.
As the economic crisis loomed over their lives, it was increasingly challenging for Jana to go to a public school due to the scarcity of resources and the difficulty of transportation. Determined to ensure her daughter’s education, Arij made a pivotal decision: she enrolled Jana in the education program offered by Basmeh & Zeitooneh at their Learning Center in Bekaa, where she received an education that would help her achieve her dreams.
When asked about her aspirations, Jana’s eyes gleamed with determination and excitement as she confidently proclaimed, “I want to become a doctor to help other children.” The passion in her voice was evident as she expressed her deep desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Jana’s mother, Arij, was proud of her daughter’s ambition. She had seen firsthand how much Jana had learned at the Learning Center. “My daughter learned a lot from the school,” Arij said. “She is now confident to teach her brother and sister.”
Jana’s love for learning extended beyond the walls of the Basmeh & Zeitooneh Learning Center. At home, she acted like a teacher, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for math, Arabic, and English with her younger brother and sister. Jana’s interest in teaching was evident in the way she explained concepts to her siblings, using real-life examples and making sure they understood the concepts. Jana’s passion for education was contagious, and it inspired her family to make it a priority in their lives.
Jana’s resolute commitment remained steadfast as she diligently pursued her education at the Learning Center, eagerly absorbing knowledge with an insatiable thirst. Fueled by her unwavering determination to succeed, she fearlessly confronted every obstacle that came her way. Supported wholeheartedly by her family and guided by the dedicated education team at the center, Jana held an unyielding belief in her capacity to achieve any goal she set her mind to.
Jana is a shining example of what can be accomplished with the right support and resources. It is a reminder to us all that education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of any circumstances.
Written by: Christian Ghafary
