Overcoming challenges: stories from Akkar

Fatima, Shaza, and Rayane have all lived in Akkar, Lebanon, since fleeing Syria. Each of them has faced unique struggles as they attempted to build new lives in a country struggling with its own economic difficulties.

Shaza reflects on the difficulties she faced as a refugee. “People talk a lot,” she shares, hinting at the social pressures and stigma associated with being a refugee. Despite this, she remained committed in her pursuit of education, understanding its lifelong value. “I advise every girl to seek an education because it is an eternal weapon. Even if she has her father, brother, or son, her education will always remain,” Shaza explains.

Rayane, a philosophy graduate from the University of Damascus, speaks about the frustration of seeking employment. “I graduated in 2018, and it’s now 2024. This is a problem,” she says, highlighting how difficult it has been to find a job in Lebanon’s strained economy. Despite these challenges, she maintains an optimistic spirit: “The most beautiful things people should believe in are these words: I can, everything is possible, nothing is impossible.”

Fatima echoes these sentiments, acknowledging that hardship is a universal experience. “No one goes through life without hard challenges, and no one has success handed to them on a gold plate,” she says. Through the STEP Programme funded by the Islamic Development Bank, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, Fatima and her peers learned how to turn their struggles into opportunities, using the skills they acquired to secure employment. “Young people need support, both socially and mentally,” Fatima adds, underscoring the critical role that programmes like STEP play in empowering youth.

Building skills and opportunities 

Through the STEP Programme, these women gained practical knowledge and hands-on experience that helped them in the job market. Rayane shares how the training was both theoretical and practical: “We started preparing theoretical lessons and then tried to apply them. For example, how to teach lessons and conduct exams online for students. Then, we worked with a software company to achieve this goal.”

By acquiring these new skills, the participants were able to create job opportunities for themselves. Fatima, Shaza, and Rayane’s success stories demonstrate the positive impact that targeted educational programmes can have on individuals and communities.

After completing the STEP Programme, these women have been able to create employment opportunities for themselves using the skills they learned. Fatima explains how the programme has made a real difference in her life. “Young people need support, both socially and mentally,” she says. Through STEP, Fatima not only gained new skills but also the confidence to apply them to her work.

The STEP Programme’s impact is evident: out of 395 students who enrolled in the training, 128 secured internships, and 68 found paid employment. This success shows the importance of targeted vocational training in helping young refugees and graduates navigate the complex job market in Lebanon.

Turning challenges into opportunities

The stories of Fatima, Shaza, and Rayane are reminders that with the right support and training, young people can overcome significant obstacles. Shaza’s words serve as advice and inspiration to others: “Education is an eternal weapon for girls. Even if she has her father, brother, or son, her education will always remain.”
Through the STEP Programme, SPARK has provided more than just training; it has offered a lifeline to those looking for a way to move forward. Fatima sums up this journey, saying, “No one goes through life without hard challenges.” Yet, with the skills, support, and opportunities provided by STEP, young refugees like Fatima, Shaza, and Rayane are forging new paths for themselves and building hopeful futures.