"In the Darkest of Times Remember to Turn on the Light ". Albus Dumbledore

Syrian, from Yabroud; seeking Undergraduate degree in Psychology and is enrolled at American University of Beirut.  

Do you know what it means for a Syrian refugee to walk down Bliss Street in Beirut dreaming of looking at the world and her future from the inner side of the fence? All I know is that I wanted to sit under the Banyan tree at the AUB campus and be an AUB student.

All I knew then was that I am looking at the Forbidden City, in other words, at an elusive forbidden future.

But to be honest, I knew I will do every thing in my power to look at Bliss street from the inner side of the campus.

I am Amina Kabbour. I am an adventurer and a refugee; but my refugee status does not define me. My skills and dedication to attain the impossible define me. My gratitude that I have a family that stood by my side defines me.

I survived multiple displacements, a harsh cross border journey, changing 6 or 7 schools, and won a battle to be accepted by my peers because of my refugee status. I am an 18-year- old from Yabroud, Syria residing in Lebanon.

I ranked first among representatives of 192 countries at the First Global Robotics challenge.

This year I'm starting my psychology major at the American University of Beirut

My mother helped us adapt making an otherwise a very disrupting journey look like changing houses. What mattered most is that we are all together, safe and will try again and build back from scratch. My father gave everything he could to soften the landing of displacement.

Here I am, determined to make a better future for myself and my community with your help.

Why Would Donors Fund You?

I believed in myself. Before knowing Brene Brown, I had the courage to speak with my whole heart, the courage to be imperfect. I reached out for help and took this bet. I succeeded in robotics, an area I thought I was least qualified to succeed in. And again, I proved I was "necessary" when my efforts
and those of my team members brought success. I will pay it forward. I am grateful. I do not take the generosity of others for granted. I try to earn it and am willing to prove that I am worthy of your generosity if I am given the chance.

How Do You Plan to Payback?

I would like to establish an organization to treat children and adolescents who suffered trauma and learning disabilities as a result of conflicts and and displacement.

The center will provide psychosocial support to traumatized children, which could in many instances resolve learning disabilities. I will include therapists who can identify learning disorders and their underlying causes among the children and adolescent refugee population.

Volunteer Work/Social Capital

I registered with “Insight Club”, an AUB club reaching out to charities to help Syrian refugees in the Beqaa.

I joined Social Work Club at AUB, to provide food and clothing to the needy.

What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements

I scored 85% on my high school diploma.

1. I attended two Robotics camps in RoboSquad Team at LIU, that was recognized by "Beqaa Technology Center" .
2. I I was the driver in the robotics Team Hope in 2019, sponsored by MAP's Lebanon in the First Global Robotics Challenge. Our team ranked first among participants of 192 countries representing 70 million refugees worldwide.
3. I attended a mental health AUB sponsored workshop, "Heal from Within".
4. I have around 300 followers on my Instagram page, "The Artistic Mind", in which I publish my cubic and fine arts' work.
   paintings.
5. I registered for TEDx AUB to improve my public speaking skills and confidence.
6. Music: Two years ago, I started learning guitar.