Food is the New Medicine

Syrian, from Daraa; seeking Undergraduate degree in Diet Therapy Technology and Dietetics and is enrolled at Zarqa University.  

What if I told you that food is the new medicine? Believe me I know this from experience.

My name is Nour Ahmed, a 20-year-old Syrian from Dara'a. I arrived with my family to Zaatari in 2013.

I have two brothers the younger of whom has Down syndrome, and three sisters. My high school average was 86. I graduated in 2020, and had to re-certify my High School diploma in 2022. My father had renal failure which entered a critical stage during high school. I accompanied him to dialysis 3 times a week. Caring for a kidney failure patient at home with limited means was a challenge. I had to prepare his food and make sure I do everything I can to keep him in good health. I also had to help my mother in caring for my younger brother. I enrolled in training courses and volunteered at the Job Search Club. I tutored young children. I weathered many storms: displacement, personal loss and limited opportunities, and still managed to score well on my Tawjihi. I could not get any scholarship, and finally had to accept a tech two year program at Luminous college. My mother was the source of my strength. My father's journey taught me the importance of therapeutic nutrition technology and dietetics. I believe that good nutrition habits can save lives, not only for kidney failure victims, but diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.

I am determined to make food our new medicine.

Why Would Donors Fund You?

I was determined to succeed despite the challenges I faced.I am about to achieve my dream. I deserve to be given the opportunity major in a subject I care for, namely nutrition for renal failure and other diseases. I hope I will be able to spread awareness about the role healthy diets play in our lives.

How Do You Plan to Payback?

I will work diligently and take care of the health and safety of patients.

I will do organize nutrition awareness seminars to alert people to the dangers of chemicals in our food, of sugar and even meats.

I will alert my community members to good eating habits, the importance of diet and exercise for behaviour modification among children and life expectancy prospects for adults.

Volunteer Work/Social Capital

1. I tutored elementary level children in math, Arabic, and English during Covid lock down.
2. I recorded incidence of renal failure in Zatary Camp.
3. I helped nurses install dialysis machines while my father was receiving treatment in the hospital.

What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements

During my stay in Zaatari camp, I enrolled in the training courses:

Life Skills: International Relief Organization (Makani).

Psychological First Aid: Saudi Red Crescent Organization

Web Design: International Relief Agency

Life AmbassadorProgram for First Aid: Saudi Red Crescent Organization

Job Search Club (SAA) program: International Relief Agency (Relief),

ICDL: Norwegian Refugee Council,

Life Skills: Norwegian Refugee Council.