"You are only as big as your dreams". Jessica Watson

Syrian, from Daraa; seeking Undergraduate degree in Applied Hearing and Speech and is enrolled at جامعة الزرقاء.  

Some people believe that dreams should be small so that we can easily achieve them. I for one have one big dream, as big as the Zaatari camp for refugees, believed to be the 4th largest in the world. I am Marwa Al-Nashi, a 21 years old Syrian girl, and one of 8 siblings. My older sister has a motor disability, and is the reason why I chose to study hearing and applied speech therapy.

I remember when we arrived at Zaatari. There were no schools that could accommodate children with disabilities. My sister used to sit and watch while I did my homework. I could see the sorrow in her eyes. She was bullied and humiliated, and therefore opted to stay behind and not attend school.

I hope that I would one day be able to earn an income to allow her to acquire skills and therefore work to earn a living.

My father struggles to put food on the table and can barely provide for us.

Your help will provide me, my sister and many children with disabilities in my community with a chance to live in dignity.

Why Would Donors Fund You?

Persons with disabilities rarely see the light in our communities. They are penalized by their families and the communities that fail to provide them with reasonable accommodations. They are often a source of shame to their parents/families.

I could not find a major that could help persons with mobile disabilities, but can at least help those with
hearing, swallowing and pronunciation difficulties communicate with others so that they do not end up suffering from the tyranny of nature and the tyranny of others.

How Do You Plan to Payback?

Will provide speech therapy sessions for free to the needy.

Will start neighborhood awareness campaigns about the need to integrate persons with disability into the society.

Volunteer Work/Social Capital

Awareness campaign for those living unhealthy lives with organizations inside the camp
2- Awareness campaign to combat overweight and obesity in Zaatari camp
3- Participation in religious projects to teach children and youth the Holy Quran and the provisions of intonation
4- Planted trees and flowers to break the harsh landscape of the camp and help preserve the environment
5- Participated in awareness campaigns to alert camp residents to the dangers of taking medications without prescription, or consuming expired drugs

What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements

I memorized the Holy Quran and learned the rules of intonation