Sara thanks you for the training she’s gained as a Syrian refugee in Lebanon.

As a mother of two, who fled Syria, she’s faced so many challenges, starting over in a new country. With your support, Sara enrolled in the administration, accounting, bookkeeping and sales course. At first, she was overwhelmed and anxious – using a computer for the first time frightened her.

She had always wanted to be a nurse but never got the opportunity. Now, at 38 years of age, she knows that when she graduates with her new skills, she can get a job as a medical secretary – keeping close to the medical world she had always longed to be part of.

Getting through the training has been tough – she has been juggling a cleaning job in a hospital, attending classes in the day and doing her Word and Excel assignments on her neighbour’s computer in the evenings, once her children have had supper.

Her journey has also given her a voice. Sara hopes to shed light on the challenges children face in accessing education in Lebanon, where residency restrictions often prevent refugee and stateless families from enrolling their children in school. Without proper documentation, many children are left excluded from classrooms, making them more vulnerable to exploitation, including child labour. Sara believes strongly in raising awareness among parents about these dangers, so that children can have the opportunities for education and growth that she herself was denied.

“After completing the training course, the dream that once felt impossible became possible. The course paved the way for me to build my own small business, something I once thought I could never achieve. Now, I have my own shop, and I look forward to continuing and growing.”

Sara’s story is one of resilience, courage, and a relentless desire to grow. Despite the hardships she has faced, she continues to move forward—step by step—toward a better future for herself, her children, and her community.

*Sara asked that we change her name to protect her privacy