MEET HALA

My name is Hala. I have been teaching adult literacy to Syrian refugee women for years. Some were really starting from scratch and didn’t even know the letters. Some others went to school in Syria for a few years but stopped very early, either because of the war or because of their community and family who doesn’t allow women to learn. Because of that, they had forgotten most of what they had learnt because they were not using it.

For many of these women, it is the first time someone thinks of them as individuals and gives them something that is just for them. It makes them feel special and gives them their dignity back. They usually suffer from a lot of domestic violence, and it is extremely rare to meet a woman who is respected and treated well by her husband.

Despite the challenges, what encourages me the most is when I see the happiness and pride in their eyes when they start being able to read! In the class I have a young woman who was only 13 when her family married her off, thinking it would be an escape from the war for her. She didn’t know anything when she started, but she is very clever and learning quickly. She is overjoyed to be in the program, and her motivation is contagious.

One of our graduates was able to find a job after she learnt with us. She initially was totally illiterate, but after just a year of learning, she got a job opportunity. An NGO was looking for people within the refugee settlements to help them with data gathering and needs assessments within the community. Several people applied and took a test. She did very well and was selected. She is still learning with me this year.

After they reach a certain level of literacy, they can also teach their own children or follow up on their homework. I personally feel it is even more important to teach a mother than to teach her children, because the mother is the one who educates the children at home. When the mom helps her children at home and is invested in their education, the children can reach their full potential. Just seeing their mother studying and working hard herself changes the mentality of children. It makes them understand the importance of learning. It is a great example, especially for the little girls. Educating women brings the entire family together.

The women benefit so much more than just academically. I believe the center has a great psychological impact on them too. These women live in such difficult circumstances and environments that they have a lot on their mind all the time. So, when we start the class, they can’t focus right away. I do a lot of psychological work with them at the beginning of each lesson. First, I let them talk and express how they feel, I give a space for them to vent out and I listen to them. I encourage them and I show compassion. I make sure they feel safe in the class. It takes a lot of time from the lesson itself, but it is necessary. Each time, I have one or several women who ask to stay a few minutes after the class, because they want to talk more with me about something difficult that they are facing at home.

I also try to give them assignments that help them process their emotions and bad memories. Recently, I asked them to write about their experience during the war in Syria, what had affected them the most and what they remember. Sometimes I ask them to write a letter to someone they love and share what is on their hearts. Other times I ask them to write about positive things, like how they benefit from the classes or what they are thankful for.  I tell them that when they are going through hard times, they can write about how they feel. It really helps them.

In the time I have with them, in the context of the lessons, I use every opportunity to raise awareness on many societal issues that they usually face in their community, and to teach them the Christian perspective on these. I teach them the “woman of value” from the book of Proverbs and talk with them about the value of women in God’s eyes. The issue of early marriage often comes up and they share about their personal struggles and challenges.

Many women also ask me advice on how to raise and educate their children. I share a lot about my own life and experience, and I always emphasize the importance of love. How important it is not to be violent with children and how they cannot behave well if they don’t feel loved and appreciated. I tell them that even when they are under huge pressure and are stressed and angry, they shouldn’t take it out on their children. That they need to be a safe place for their children, to listen to them and give them their full attention, and not to be quick to blaming and punishing them when they report some problems. They receive my advice well, and they try to apply it. They usually report good impact and better atmosphere at home.

The center is also a spiritual ministry for our team. Most of the woman ask me to pray for them and with them when they share about their challenges, which allows for a big testimony. If they don’t have an issue with it, I pray in front of the class, but if they prefer, I pray with them after the class. They feel at peace after, and they sometimes tell me they believe God answered my prayers. The class is a safe space for them to ask spiritual questions that they might have.