Lasting change starts here

“Without this school, I would have remained without an education. If I had not learned to read and write, I would not have known anything.” - Faiza*, 8 years old.

Twin sisters Fatima* and Faiza* have lived in a half-destroyed room in a makeshift camp in Raqqa, Syria since they were one. Their dad died not long after they came here. 

Then two years ago, life started to change for Fatima* and Faiza*. Save the Children built a temporary education centre near their home and they started going to school. 

Their teacher, Maara, says Fatima* and Faiza* were shy and fearful to begin with, having worries and responsibilities beyond their years. But little by little, Maara and her colleagues have helped Fatima* and Faiza*  to grow in confidence. “We got close to them and tried to break the barrier of fear and tension and relieve them from the pressures,” says Maara. 

Noura is full of praise. “Our children go to the Save the Children Centre. By God, they are good to us and to our children, and the care and lessons are the best.”

For Fatima* and Faiza*, the transformation is remarkable. They have learned to read, write and do basic sums, and enjoy playing with their friends. “I love the education centre, I love the teachers, I love my friends, I love to learn,” says Fatima*.

A whole life bundled into a small bag. 3 toy cars salvaged from a lifelong collection. A new language, a new life.  

For Marko* and his mum Yana, who fled their home in Odesa when the war broke out in Ukraine, life changed in an instant. Yana remembers the shock of it. “It was loud and scary. You realise that one bag and your child are your whole life now.”  

But at a Save the Children refugee centre in Bucharest, Marko’s* starting to find his feet. Language classes. Art sessions. A homework club. And a portable computer to help him keep up.  

“I want to try this new school and make new friends,” says Marko, who is getting ready to take the next step in life and learning.

It's so hard when children get worried about things. All we want to do is help reassure them, but sometimes simple reassurance just doesn’t do the trick. When that anxiety is around going back to school, it’s even more tricky. We can’t just not let them go – and it's horrible to think of them feeling sad when we’re not there to support them. 

*names changed to keep them safe.