Giving Back: From Student to Volunteer
May 30, 2024
“My name is Mohammad; I am 20 years old, and I was born in Aleppo, Syria. My father’s name is Ali, and my mother is Aisha. I have two sisters, Mona and Amina, and three brothers: Ismail, Ibrahim, and Ahmad. I am the youngest in the family. My father works as a construction worker whenever he can find day jobs or projects, while my mother is a housewife.
When I was 10 years old, I had to stop attending school because it was bombarded by rockets. I was only in the third grade. Fortunately, I wasn’t injured, but the event left me traumatized, especially the sound of missiles. Due to the war, we fled to Lebanon in late 2013 and settled in Hay el Gharbeh in a relative’s house before moving to a rented home in the neighborhood.
Adjusting to life in Lebanon was challenging. The frequent incidents of child kidnapping in the region added to our worries. Despite these challenges, I managed to enroll in a public school and later joined the Tahaddi Education Center’s homework support program at the age of 11. The transition to the Lebanese educational system was tough, particularly since some subjects were taught in English, in contrast to my education in Arabic in Syria.
What significantly boosted my academic performance was the homework support program at Tahaddi. I fondly remember Mrs. Jihane, who is still with Tahaddi, and her emotional support. She would reward us with gifts for improving our grades. I attended the program daily, each afternoon from 2 PM to 4:30 PM, where I received comprehensive academic support for all subjects, completely free of charge!
In 2019, my family and I moved to Khaldé because my father’s job required us to relocate. Despite the move, I continued with the homework support program at Tahaddi intermittently. I participated in the program for a total of nine years, which significantly helped me to settle into the Lebanese school system and improve my grades. My science scores rose from 3 out of 20 at first to above average. In 2022, I graduated having passed all my academic levels, thanks in large part to Tahaddi’s support. They even covered my school expenses.
My family and I also benefited from the Tahaddi Health Center while we were living in Hay El Gharbeh. Whenever we needed medical care or lacked medicine, THC was there to assist us. They ensured I received the necessary vaccinations.
After high school, I applied to a German scholarship program with Dafi that covers 100% of university tuition fees for refugees. Though I wasn’t accepted in the first year, I persisted and got accepted the following year. Currently, I’m studying biomedical science at the Lebanese International University, a field I’ve always been passionate about. My participation in the Youth National Development (YND) group exposed me to the rewarding experience of volunteering. This inspired me to return to Tahaddi in October 2023, where I aimed to contribute positively and give back to the community that once supported me.
Volunteering at Tahaddi, where I help children in the same homework support program that once supported me, is incredibly fulfilling and stirs many memories. The children have gradually warmed up to me, and it’s heartwarming that they now greet me by name whenever we encounter each other across the street. I find it deeply rewarding to share my knowledge across various school subjects with them. My commitment is to continue this journey until the end of the school year, and I aspire to extend my support into the next year if I’m able to.
Jihan, Tahaddi’s Homework Support Program Coordinator, says, “Mohammad has been a dedicated volunteer in the HWS program, providing valuable assistance with homework assignments and fostering an environment of learning. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service by contributing his time and effort to support students aged 8 to 13. It has been a pleasure having him around as a volunteer after all these years as a student. It’s just heartwarming and makes us proud.”
Mohammad continues, “My ambition is to become a scientific researcher specializing in disease research. I’ve been inspired in part by my niece’s condition, stenosis, a disease that doctors say is incurable and requires lifelong medication.
I believe in the importance of perseverance, learning from others’ mistakes, and making a positive mark on the world. To Tahaddi and its donors, I say: THANK YOU! While my father believes that ‘thank you’ should not be exchanged among family members, and considering I regard Tahaddi as my second family, I still feel compelled to express my gratitude. Thank you!”
