“The street is a double-edged sword, it is fun to play in but, at the same time, it may contain risks and people we shouldn’t meet,” said an adolescent girl during the awareness session carried out by the SSSD Child Protection Club, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at the Nabd Community Center in Salkhad, Sweida.

The session discussed the risks of playing on the street and its negative effects on adolescents.

It also gave clues to safe playing and designated places for teens to play in, using the street play “risk bar” and explaining the “tree of causes” of behaviors resulting from street playing.

At the end of the session, an adolescent boy said: “I liked the safe space so much, as I was able to play and learn in it, safely and without fear, unlike my playing on the street.”

VT: Training course in shaving and hairdressing for men and women—Nabd Community Center, Salkhad, Sweida
Due to the increasing demand of the labor market for technicians in the field of shaving and women’s and men’s hairdressing, the team of the Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD), in cooperation with the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), conducted two trainings in shaving and hairdressing.

The first training targeted 20 male and female trainees from the local community to learn hairdressing and beauty care. “I badly needed such a course in order to support my family after my husband’s death,” said a woman happily after the end of the course. In fact, most of the women are heads of households.

The second training also targeted 20 trainees, mostly young, from both local and IDP communities to learn men’s grooming. The training has proven rich with explanations, both theoretical and practical. “Having attended this training, I’m now capable of entering the job market, help my family, and fulfill my dream to open a barber’s shop,” said a young man.

VT: Upholstery training course—Nabd Community Center, Salkhad, Sweida
In view of the increasing need for qualified workers in upholstery, and in light of the market needs assessment, the team of the Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD), in cooperation with the UNHCR, implemented a training course in this time-honored craft.

The training targeted predominantly female heads of households of various age groups, from both IDP and local communities. The programme included a set of theoretical axes and practical applications on the methods of designing and wadding cushions, pillows, mattresses, corners and other skills that pertain to the craft.

After the course ended, one of the trainees gratefully said: “I felt I’m able now to support my family and children, meet my home’s needs, open an upholstery shop and enter the job market.”