Syrian, from Rif-dimashq; seeking Undergraduate degree in Data Science and is enrolled at Lebanese University.
I am Yaman Shiha, a 19-year-old Syrian refugee in Lebanon from Harasta, Damascus Countryside and a biochemistry major at the Lebanese University. My father died in 2013. I have three siblings.
COVID stole my first year in college. It was a virtual reality. I discovered that I do not have photos to document my college journey.
My 42-year-old mother was forced to drop out of school in seventh grade. She is a staunch supporter of education for girls .
She worked as a seamstress to earn a living, and was both a mother and father.
Like all Syrian refugees, learning English, the language of instruction in Lebanese schools, was a big challenge.
My younger sister was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Our family had a hard time handling her disease. We knew very little about it.
I've been in love with biology since I was a kid . I enjoyed discussions in my biology classes , then went home to explain what I learned to my mother. She always marveled at my passion for the topic
While role playing as kids, girls played house and I played teacher.
I tutored our neighbors' kids after school: first it was for fun, then it became the way I earned my living.
But with my sister's diagnosis, wanting to learn about the human body and how it functions became a family matter.
I eventually want to major in Computational Biology. With bioinformatics (data analytics, software development and modeling) we can further understand the many aspects of the genome revolution.
I want to follow my dream. I want to pursue my my education in a topic I love most. I dream of attending college.
Why Would Donors Fund You?
I want to lobby international organizations and NGO's to achieve gender equality among Syrian refugees and Increase the rate of Syrian students' access to higher education in Lebanon.
I also want to dispel misconceptions and therefore change social attitudes towards diseases, like AIDS.
I want to volunteer with educational organizations that provide counseling for students when they choose their college majors.
I also want to raise awareness about Juvenile diabetes, management and nutrition.
How Do You Plan to Payback?
I will tutor persons with special needs.
I organize science awareness campaigns in grade schools to discuss misconceptions about diseases, simple hygiene, disease prevention and nutrition.
Help students find the compass of their lives and goals and hold awareness seminars on disciplines and what suits their talents.
participate in early detection of breast cancer campaigns
Spread awareness about AIDS and change social attitudes about the disease.
Volunteer Work/Social Capital
*I volunteered with young men and women to clean up the remnants of the Beirut Port explosion
*I helped organize a graduation party at Kamed Al-Louz Club
*I tutored a child for 5 months for free
*I volunteered to organize parties for children during the holidays
*I volunteered at the Lebanese university COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.
What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements
I received the following certificates:
- Excel / Kiron
- Word / Kiron
- "Be your own business"
- Microsoft from "Action Aid"
- English language Conversation level 3
- Participation, attendance, and localization of a project/ Jusoor.
- Participation in Aamel Association project
- AUB "Stream Into College" program.
Dania Alkhutaba
good luck Yaman 💚