"All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten". Robert Fulghum

Syrian, from Homs; seeking Undergraduate degree in Classroom Teacher and is enrolled at Zarqa University.  

As a kid, I did not imagine myself choosing teaching as my career. For some reason, I hated this profession, even though I belong to a family of teachers.

I am Eman Alsmair, from Homs, Syria. My family and I took refuge in Al-Azraq camp. It was a barren land. In this landscape, it was very difficult for hope to grow. I realized that education was the only way to change the course of my life.

I decided to become a teacher, and help contribute to building the Syria of the future.

After I finished my high school studies, I realized that grade-school teachers were instrumental in building character. After all, to quote the title of Robert Fulghum's " All I really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten".

Al-Azraq was a place no one wanted to be. Scholarships were scarce in 2018 . I did not give up. I worked on sharpening my skills. I got an ICDL certificate, and improved my English language skills and learned sign language. I got training in leadership skills, a trait I felt is important to impart to children.

In 22, I lost my sister to leukemia. She wanted me to be the best version of myself. I promised her to pursue my education.

When life returns to normal in Syria, I want to make a difference in the lives of our lost generations.

This dream will only come true with your support.

Why Would Donors Fund You?

It is said: “If you achieve success in life, be sure that there is a successful teacher behind your success.” With your support, my first goal will be achieved, which is to become a teacher and educator for generations exhausted by wars and asylum, because I will teach with all honesty and integrity and I will become one of the teachers who write on the hearts of future generations and teach these generations the meaning of success, excellence in their lives.

How Do You Plan to Payback?

My plan after graduating from university is to use my degree to serve my community in the camp, where girls and children dropping out of school are common.

I will arrange group remedial tutoring activities . I will also raise awareness among all girls about the importance of continuing their education. I will use technology. I hope to organize literacy campaigns among women to improve employability, and establish volunteer groups for that purpose. With their help, we can run after-school programs to free women to acquire income generating skills.

Volunteer Work/Social Capital

I volunteered with UNICEF for a week to train in writing research papers,

I volunteered with CARE in child care for two and a half months, and

I volunteered with the Na platform. The number of volunteer hours has reached 81 hours,

I am currently volunteering with the community committees in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the Blue Camp to raise awareness of the people in the camp.

What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements

I participated in the following activities:

• obtained ICDl certificate from NRC.

• obtained a three-level English language certificate from the NRC organization.

• obtained a livelihood certificate from RElEF.

• obtained a leadership training certificate from UNICEF from the Hope Makers Organization.

• obtained a sign language certificate for the first and second levels from CARE.

• obtained a certificate as a Higher Educational Guidance Programmer in Mosaic from the Mosaic Organization.

• obtained a certificate in goal setting and decision making from the Forsa platform.