Hanin’s Great Lesson

Teachers say that Hanin is one of the best-behaved students and the most popular among her classmates ; she is calm, listens attentively to lessons and actively participates in class life. However, the girl – 18 years old – has had a difficult time in the last year: health problems and economic problems within her family have had a certain impact on her academic performance. Hanin attends the after-school program that AMU supports with the program Seeds of Hope in the city of Baniyas (Syria). She is the eldest of four children. The only person able to work is her mother who, to keep up with the expenses, works two jobs a day. To help support the family, Hanin worked for a while last year, but had to give it up to focus on her studies ; from that moment on, it was her younger brother’s turn to go and work as a waiter in a restaurant far from their home, during the summer from nine in the evening to five in the morning. This prevented him from participating in the summer course organized by the after-school program. When the educators at the center spoke to Hanin’s mother, they understood the great difficulties these people face. They had to do something concrete to help them: “At that point, we visited their house to find that they live in a small, uninhabitable room. There is a lot of humidity, no sunlight, and only a small window for ventilation. Also, the mattresses on the floor are old and worn out. There is no light source because the battery that lights the house is out. It was one of the most difficult visits we have ever made.” Hanin and her siblings are an integral part of the center; theirs is a dignified family, who had not told anyone about their difficulties. They did not want to ask for anything. How much willpower this girl must have! She is not satisfied with low grades, she is determined to get the most out of herself. She decided to repeat the school year because she was dissatisfied with her previous performance, and on top of that she started working in a clothing store: ” Failure is not a permanent defeat. We learn from our experience, and it is from here that we get the strength to start over again”. She has no shortage of enthusiasm, what drives her to face commitments and hardships is the precise will to build a better future , for herself and for each member of her family. The after-school program supported by Semi di Speranza is of great help to her: “The special thing about this center is its humanity. It is ideal for those who need to learn and make their dreams come true. After my high school diploma I want to study medicine and I hope to travel outside of Syria. I have very big ambitions and projects and I want to make them happen with the support of my family and my teachers. The experience and learning at the center were decisive”.