Syrian, from Homs; seeking Undergraduate degree in Accounting and is enrolled at Lebanese International University.
War tore my life apart in Syria, leaving me a 22-year-old refugee in Lebanon. My dream of attending university felt distant, after two gap years due to financial problems.
I am Zaynab Al-Khalaf applying for a BS in Accounting and Business Management at the Lebanese International University.
During those hard years, math became my anchor. It was my trusted companion, offering a sense of logic in a chaotic world. As Albert Einstein said, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." This powerful quote deeply resonated with me.
My mother, a source of incredible strength, battled illness while being our sole breadwinner. Her refugee status limited her earning potential to manual labor, paying only $2 per day.
When life demanded more than being a mere high school graduate, I took on an after-school tutoring job. Sharing the passion for numbers felt like a way to give back.
Together, we kept our family afloat. Yet, my hunger for deeper knowledge remained.
Business and accounting ignite a passion within me. I see numbers not as mere figures, but as tools to unlock opportunities, for myself and others who lost everything.
Your support would be transformative. It would propel me beyond the confines of our one-room apartment and daily routines, towards academic achievement and a brighter future.
I dream of assisting anyone grappling with financial challenges.
Will you help me?
Why Would Donors Fund You?
As a first-generation college student, I understand the importance of education. Your contribution helps me break barriers and inspire others facing similar challenges. I dream of helping other women with financial literacy, breaking a stereotype that has long dominated our community.
How Do You Plan to Payback?
I plan to pay back by empowering my community! I will offer free training courses on in-demand skills beyond traditional fields, such as medicine, engineering, and law. I will organize workshops on life skills and entrepreneurship. Finally, I will mentor high school graduates to choose their future majors. In this way, I'll ensure that future generations have informed decisions.
Volunteer Work/Social Capital
Math Tutor (Since Grade 9) :
o Provide one-on-one math instruction to students of all ages.
o Organize and lead a summer math training course for siblings and neighbors' children.
Social Awareness Advocate:
o Supported awareness campaigns on chronic diseases with Red Cross and Caritas.
o Raised awareness about mental health by encouraging individuals struggling with psychological issues to seek professional help from psychiatrists.
What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements
As a first-generation aspiring student, I strive to make better living conditions for my family and I:
I passed the Lebanese official exams (economics and social sciences stream)
I participated in seminars about early marriage
I transferred my knowledge in mathematics to others sharing my conditions
I joined workshops for computer literacy
Eman Alsmair
good luck Zaynab 🤍
Eman Alsmair
good luck Zaynab 🤍
Batool Aljnade
بالتوفيق زينب 🌸