It is in the darkest hour that our stars shine the brightest

Syrian, from Daraa; seeking Associate Degree/Diploma degree in Psychology and is enrolled at Al-Balqa' Applied University.  

I am Rasmea Abu Khoshref, 19 years old from Daraa, Syria. I live with my family in the Zaatari refugee camp. I got my high school diploma in 2020.

I am the oldest of 6 siblings, still in grade school. My father is a day laborer and is out of work. My mother has terminal cancer. My dream is for her to know that I will be attending college.

Like most of the Zaatari residents, I arrived in Jordan in 2013. Despite the challenges of displacement, I appreciated the opportunity to volunteer with Mercy Corps, Handicap and Scope Quest. I was so attracted to young children with learning disorders.

I was 12 years old when we left Syria in 2013. I have always wanted to become a social worker to help persons suffering from autism. Displacement took its toll on all of us, but people with mental and psychological disorders suffer the most.

I decided to earn a diploma in psychological Disorders and Diagnosis of Autism.

There is an acute need for proper diagnosis and early intervention of autistic children to integrate them and bring about possible behavior modification.

Parents of children with learning disorders and autism in particular told me that they saw a marked improvement in their children's behavior as a result of the attention I gave them.

I did it by instinct but lacked the scientific knowledge required to optimize my intervention.I hope that with an associate degree I would be better qualified to help the vulnerable in our community.

Why Would Donors Fund You?

Diagnosis of early childhood disorders is still an uncommon field of study in our community. We hide persons with disabilities and treat them as if they were a stigma.

Learning how to diagnose autism and related spectrum disorders will help shed light on the problem.
The trauma of displacement was especially hard for families with children who suffer such disorders. I believe there is a dire need for specialists in this field. I hope to be the one to provide the required care, and dream of using my associate degree as a bridge to a full degree when the circumstances allow.

Your help will allow me to venture into a field that has been left out of the sphere of medical attention given the severity of other ailments in displaced communities

How Do You Plan to Payback?

I plan to raise community awareness about early childhood disorders including autism.

I will coordinate efforts with civil society organizations to organize seminars on how to handle autistic children and seek help to bring about desired behavior change.

I need to stress the importance of integrating - not isolating autistic children .

Volunteer Work/Social Capital

I tutored many children in my caravan during the COVID lock down. One little girl was autistic. I worked with her one on one, had the patience to handle her case. This paid back with behavioral changes.

I volunteered with Handicap and Quest Scope to care for persons with special needs.

What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements

1- Life skills from Makani Center
2. Connect and communicate
3. Computer skills
4. English language levels
5- Social skills