Girl who fled Syrian war resumes education in Ajman after 3 years
ajman — A Syrian teenager who fled the war in her country has finally been offered a spot at an Ajman charity school, after three years of no education.
Ghofran Basit is now enrolled in Grade 7 at Ajman’s Al Ahlia Charity School, although she is meant to be in Grade 11. Due to the time she missed, the 16-yearold is much behind than most students of her age.
Basit, who hails from Aleppo, had not been to school since 2014 because of the war, in which they lost their house, belongings and became displaced. After moving to Ajman in mid 2016, she missed out on two school years due to financial constraints, missing documents and long waiting lists of charity schools around the UAE.
“For a long time I thought I would never go to school. I was always sad and had no hope, but my life has taken a positive turn. I’m going to school now,” Basit told Khaleej Times. “I’m so happy that words cannot explain. When I stopped going to school in Aleppo, I became very depressed. I moved to the UAE with hope. Sadly, I became depressed again when we found out how expensive the schools are here.
“When we approached charity schools, they kept telling us to wait and the waiting turned into years. There are thousands of children on the waiting lists of these charity school. I feel extremely lucky to be selected. I hope and pray the other children also find good schools.”
Basit said her dreams of becoming an engineer one day has been restored. She hopes to help children who have been displaced
There are thousands on the waiting lists of charity schools. I feel extremely lucky to be selected. I hope other children also find good schools.” Ghofran Basit, 16-year-old
or cannot attend school due to various constraints.
Basit’s father, Abdul Basit, is also relieved that his only daughter is receiving an education again. “As a parent, one of the most painful things to go through is when your children are denied education. Ghofran would always ask me if anyone from the charity school had called to offer her a seat. The answer was ‘no’ for a long time. Now, she gets so excited putting on her school uniform,” he said.
Ghofran would always ask me if anyone from the charity school had called to offer her a seat. The answer was ‘no’ for a long time.” Abdul Basit, father
Khaleej Times had earlier reported that charity schools in the UAE were overcrowded and have more than 2,000 children on their waiting lists. Charity schools help only needy children, most who come from low-income families and ones that have fled countries in war. The Manar Al Iman Charity School expanded last year and enrolled 700 students from needy families. However, many are still desperately waiting for their turn.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com