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VT: Closing Ceremony of Vocational Training Courses—al-Hameh 2018

The Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD), in cooperation with the UNHCR, held a closing ceremony for all VT courses held at al-Hameh in 2018. The ceremony included a video presentation of all the courses held, a drama performance and a dabké dancing show.
The beneficiaries of eight different courses (2 sewing courses, 1 eastern-western cuisine chef course, 1 interior design and furniture spraying course, 1 home electrical installations course, 1 cell phone maintenance course, 1 aghabani embroidery course, 1 men’s shaving and hairdressing course) were honored and received their certificates.
The event included a public invitation to an exhibition of all course outputs—an opportunity for the local community to get to know the beneficiaries and their skills and thus help improve their chances of getting a job.
In her speech, one of the beneficiaries, who was referred from the SSSD GBV Program to the VT Program, said: “I’m so thrilled today. For the first time in my life I can savor success. This is the first certificate I earn in my whole life! Not only the course taught me a lot professionally wise, but I learned new life skills and how to deal with people as well. It changed me a lot. I feel stronger and psychologically fulfilled. Even at home, my dealing with people changed. Thank you from the heart.”
It is worth noting that 61 beneficiaries have already been directly linked to the labor market, namely trainees of sewing, aghabani, carpentry, painting and interior design, electricity and mobile maintenance courses.

The Journey Begins with a Single Step Etidal’s Story

Two-year old Etidal, a person with Down syndrome, lives in a family of six. The family was displaced from rural Aleppo and lives currentlyin an unfinished house in Jaramana, Daff al-Sakher. When they came to visit the community center to receive some services, the girl was registered, referred to the Rehabilitation Program and integrated into a Friendship Group. In fact, all children were enrolled in age-appropriate activities to obtain services offered at the CC.


When interviewing the mother (with the girl present), the Program and what it can offer was explained to her, especially as it is applied at home mainly and helps the whole family develop some objectives along with the Dawn person.


An evaluation was conducted with both mother and girl, and on the basis of that, a family plan suited to Etidal’s needs was developed. Those needswere explained to the mother and she was provided with appropriatetools and games to achieve the desired objectives.


Through follow-up and practical sessions with both girl and mother, it was established that the girl achieved several objectives:
- She is no longer afraid of leaving her mother at home in her familiar environment with familiar people.
- She no longer crawlsaround the house or move carried around, but walks autonomously and runs to escape or play.
- When talking to her, she nods or shakes her head to affirm or negate, and tries to communicate with the caregiver through sight, waiting for the confirmation of something, and tries to draw attention by applauding or disappearing behind hands.

- She expressesher needs (hunger and thirst) in words, sounds and gestures instead of crying; she names some objects, mimics some simple sounds/words and songs and mentions some names, especially those of her siblings in their absence.
- She is no longer afraid when changing the position of her body from sitting to standing and from lying down to sitting in order to do something.
- She is no longer afraid from hiding to play and loves to play with her siblings, fits with the group, and follows the rules by imitating some of the children’s or siblings’ movements.
- She has become more aware and in control of her surroundings: when seeing sunlight coming from the window she drawsthe curtains; when seeingtrash she throws it in the trash bin; when feeling cold she brings a blanket to feel warm; etc.
- She used to be indifferent to pictures or any drawings she saw. Now, however, when she sees a picture her mother had talked to her about, she points to it with her index requesting from her mother to bring it and talk to her about it again.
- Thanks to the increasing attention given to her and to finding a suitable place where she can play, away from unsafe sources of contamination, the girl’s health improved and she was finally rid of a chronic intestinal infection.


The family’s happiness with this change was immense. It facilitated a lot of things for them and created a relaxed atmosphere within the household. This is why the family continues to help Etidal, cooperating by enjoying playing with her or doing any activity that improves her performance and offers her more autonomy in some simple daily activities.
Work is still going on to plan forward towards subsequent objectives.

His Guardian Angel Youssef’s Story

We met Youssef’s mother after SSSD ORVs had monitored her son. She had come to the community center to get help for him, a 5-year-old Down syndrome boy living with a displaced family from Saqba (Damascus Reef) at one of their relatives’ because they could not afford to rent a house. He was then referred to the Home Rehabilitation Program by the Child Protection case manager.


After talking to the mother during several sessions to explain the Program’s purposes and the way to use it, a direct evaluation of the boy’s condition was conducted and several questions were put to her in order to develop an implementation plan that she could apply with the child at home through a definite routine. The mother was also handed some of the Program tools to ensure her full cooperation and help her achieve the desired objectives.


Then the boy was integrated into a Friendship group and regularly followed up among his peers during group activities. After a specified period of time had elapsed, and reviewing the objectives set before, it turned out that the boy had reached them all:

• The boy is now able to solve his problems by asking his mother for help, while he used to beat other children in previous stages.
• He listens to his mother’s injunctions regarding behavioral control and abides by the rules she sets for him, such as sitting down when someone comes to the house, not messing up with his father’s things, etc.
• He is able to classify tools as carpenter’s tools, kitchen utensils, physician’s instruments, etc.
• He can count up to 3 and has integrated the number concept (he can handle cubes and other objects counting from 1 to 3).
• He can formulate words that express sizes and amounts, such as: big and small, much and little. For example, a large spoon for eating and a little spoon for tea; “I will pour a little tea”; “My big brother”; etc.
• When back home, he talks about things and persons he encountered, especially familiar ones. For example, “Brother played with us with the ball”; he relates the songs he learned and his new experiences to his brothers; etc.
• He can use opposites when speaking about persons and things: “My mate is big,” “That man is tall/short,” and can identify images that illustrate opposite concepts using given tools.
• He can identify and read more than 10 characters, including his name’s (direct application with the boy).
• He can rely on himself in doing some daily tasks without help from adults (washing hands, putting on his clothes, folding clothes, helping in setting the table, etc.).


Working with both mother and child continues in order to set new plans to achieve the subsequent objectives. The dramatic change in Youssef’s life was expressed by the mother thus:
“When I came to the center and learned about the Program and the importance of the plan for my child, the way it works and its objectives became clear to me. I benefited from the plan a lot and experienced immediate results during its application at home. This provided me with effective solutions to several points I observed on Youssef, and this prompted me to make simple tools for my son to serve those objectives. I found myself spontaneously involved in making simple plans to develop some of his skills, in addition to the tools and games that already served the objectives.”


One of the mother’s tools to develop Youssef’s perception and skills is a special notebook in which she puts down all the elements that the boy recognizes, like fruits and animals, with pictures taken from old manuals and captions including the name of each item and some information about it. For instance, “A cow give us milk and says muuu,” etc.


The mother, Youssef’s Guardian Angel, continues to follow up her son’ blooming in the framework of the Rehabilitation Program and seeks to integrate him into the school curriculum.

 

A Little Angel Dropped By… Little Ahmad’s Story

Five-year old Ahmad had development problems, nerve shortness, a mild cognitive retardation, and a hydrocephaly that affected the auditory nerve and hearing.
Ahmed lived in Jaramana, Daff al-Sakher, within a family of five, displaced from Aleppo, in a rented house under harsh material and health conditions.
We met Ahmad when he came to the community centre with his mother who was asking for help. A neighbour had told her about the services provided by the CC for children with specific needs in order to help them realize the best of their potential.
Soon after, Ahmad was integrated into the Friendship Group. At first, the boy was afraid of unfamiliar people (non-family members) and cried whenever someone approached him. After being integrated in the Rehabilitation Program, his condition was assessed using the Portage tools.
We made a family plan for Ahmad to help develop some of the points where he showed weaknesses. The plan was explained to the mother: It consisted in applying a daily routine and providing some means to achieve objectives using simple tools that are available at the CC or at home. The mother was fully cooperative and contributed to the development and improvement of her son’s abilities.
After several follow-up sessions, the mother came to tell how some objectives had been reached. When reviewing the plan, it was clear that the boy had effectively realized the plan’s objectives in full. By realizing these objectives, the following changes occurred:
• He formerly did not like to be separated from his family. Now he had become involved in activities and played with the group, even in his mother’s absence.
• He could not use his fingers because of the nerve shortness. Now he could use scissors to cut paper, play with tools and execute some tasks autonomously.
• He was unable to respond to complex requests. Now he was able to respond to requests that required more than one instruction.
• He did not know word antonyms. By now, he had learned antonyms of words he already knew.
• He did not know street rules. Now he had become aware of street rules.
• He did not know how to execute some movements that fit with the songs he learned. Now he could do that, doing the appropriate movements for each particular song.

It was fortunate that all the family, especially Ahmad’s siblings, cooperated to help him improve his abilities as soon as possible. His mother said that Ahmed’s sisters are credited with teaching their brother how to make a cardboard basket to throw in it a paper ball they had made for him to help him exercise his hands.

The mother also said that her other two children had improved, becoming more cooperative with her, which was a remarkable change that occurred after their participation in the CC activities.
In a moment of happiness, Ahmad asked his mother if he could wear the Eid clothes before the Eid, so he could come to the follow-up session at the CC and show the “sister” his new clothes, insisting by wearing them to express his delight in coming to the CC.

Sadly, this was the last picture taken of him, during his last activity. The following day, he fell from the stairs, which caused him a severe brain haemorrhage that killed him on August 31, 2017. Ahmad passed away, leaving in the hearts of those who loved him a beautiful memory and much sorrow. He will be remembered in every corner in which he left a trace.
RIP, Ahmad. A little angel dropped by!

La tehmelni, la tensani… Campaign

Children are the nucleus of society, the seed that we must care for and nurture with attention and love so that it grows and gives the best fruit.


In view of the caregivers’ poor awareness of the dangers of neglect, the team of the Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD), in cooperation with the UNHCR, carried out a campaign entitled La tehmelni, la tensani (“Don’t neglect me, don’t forget me…”).


The campaign aimed at raising the awareness of caregivers about the need to care for their children, the importance of this in building the child’s character, the negative effects of neglect on children, family and community, and, finally, the necessity to create opportunities and establish safe and free spaces for interactive, understanding communication between children and parents.


The campaign was carried out throughout December 2018 at the Farah Community Center in ‘Adra, Rural Damascus, and included several sessions for children, adolescents and caregivers.


The sessions tackled the problem of child neglect, its causes and consequences, and explored possible suitable solutions to mitigate it. Tools and activities varied in each session according to the age group and included: shadow theater, motor games, role playing, drama sketches and dialogue.


A special session was also held between adolescents and their parents to create an opportunity for both parties to share views, spend a fun and useful time, and consolidate a positive relationship.

 

A Woman Beating the Odds

A.A, an exhausted young woman born in 1988, her hardship is double her age. With her husband gone missing at the beginning of the crisis, she was responsible for raising up 4 kids.
Her younger child is suffering from Hirschsprung disease, a terminal disease. The child went through 6 consecutive surgeries, with his mom by his side day and night.
Her biggest setback was when she had to flee her home in Qudsaya City to a collective shelter, where she was exposed to a lot of abuse and extortion, and as a result she left the shelter renting a small home, accompanied by her mom.
She worked in all sorts of manual labor, namely, house cleaner, sales person in a supermarket, a cashier in a center, a secretary in a dental laboratory. Making little income, the mother went through tough times leaving her kids behind for long hours.
While conducting field visits, the ORV team of SSSD referred the woman to the Small Business Grants Program. Meeting the criteria of the program, she was enrolled in the business entrepreneur training course to acquire planning skills to successfully manage her future project. Breaking her leg on the first day of the course did not stop her from completing the course, and later she attended the panel interview, at which her project proposal was approved.
It was easy to notice her eyes shining again… the woman launched Shahed Shop for Detergent Supplies with an approximate distance to her home.
After a while, SSSD team visited the woman in her shop, where she expressed her happiness of the project that brought in light into her life, providing her with high self-confidence and independency. She was thankful to the Syrian Society for Social Development for offering her the means to provide for her family and treat her very sick son.

Vocational Training: Closing of Confectionery and Chef Courses, Damascus

The Syrian Society for Social Development, in cooperation with UNHCR, organized courses on the basics of confectionary (both oriental and international) for beginners and advanced, cuisine chef courses, and specialized courses on candy making (chocolate), with 124 beneficiaries. The pioneers of these courses are the community center beneficiaries, some of whom referred by the CCs case managers (CP, GBV and PSS psychologists).
The closing ceremony included the distribution of certificates to the beneficiaries, in addition to the printed training booklet. Some participants shared their experience with the attendees:
Ms. Umm Ali: “I’m one of the women who returned to Ghouta... Through training, we learned to exchange love as much as we learned the craft skills… It was as if we were one family, despite the trainees’ great diversity... Though the restaurant is far away from my house, I was always the first to arrive because I was so eager to learn and I enjoyed the lovely relationship between us, the trainees... And there are many like me!”
Ms. B.Q.: “I’m my household head and have two daughters... The training had a great impact on my family and material situation. I became a professional and an income-generating person, since I worked after the training in sweet-making. I work at home and distribute my products to shop owners in the Jaramana district. My new work helped me meet the household needs and follow up on my girls’ schooling.”
Ms. S.: “I could hardly imagine the course would end! I came to have many friends. We helped each other and kept in contact, even though each is from a different place and environment… I’ve had a successful interview with the restaurant manager and will be working in the restaurant. This was a great boost to my self-confidence.”
It is noteworthy that, according to the evaluation, some of the beneficiaries have been networked with the labor market, with three possibilities: working at home, working at the Zeus Restaurant, and working in confectionary shops in the Jaramana district.

I am Happy to Be Warm

Mrs. L.B is an IDP from Duma, her husband died and left her a 7-year old boy. The mother and her son live in a very cold room that does not receive sunray, which negatively affected the boy’s health triggering rheumatism.
Hoping to provide all of their basic needs, the mother worked very hard; however, she went through tough times. From time to time, she cleaned houses and building entrances, the money she made was barely enough to put bread on the table and pay the rent. She was unable to buy a heater to protect her family from the harsh, cold winter.
Feeling hopeless, and just when no one offered her help, she heard of Al-Salam Community Center, supervised by the Syrian Society for Social Development, and quickly submitted a from requesting a heater. The NGO immediately responded visiting the woman’s home and referring her to the General In-Kind Assistance program and was offered a gas/electrical heater.
The woman was surprised of SSSD’s fast response saying, “I was not expecting such a quick response. I am grateful for you all.”

Waste disposal campaign

WASH team, SSSD, Al-Hameh conducted a cleaning campaign encircling the building of Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed Juvenile Center, Rural Damascus, collecting garbage and transporting it to a landfill.
Personal protection and garbage collection tools were distributed to the participants, who carried out the activities of the campaign in work groups. Later, the team along with some juveniles from the center wall painted tableaus to motivate people to keep the building and area clean.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence December 2018 Rural Damascus

With a view to raising awareness about GBV-related issues, emphasizing the rejection of thisand all forms of violence, introducing the concept and types of GBV, discussing its causes and consequences, proposing solutions to reduce it, and stressing the importance of reporting in case of exposure, the Syrian Society for Social Development organized an event on the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence under the slogan Safety and Equality atHome, at Work and Everywhere at the SSSD community centres in Rural Damascus (Jaramana, al-Hameh, ‘Adra Industrial Zone) and in the ‘Adra Workers’ Housing neighbourhood.

The event included activities and awareness sessions carried out within the community centres. The aim of the event was to recapitulate and highlight the awareness campaigns carried out throughout 2018 on all GBV-related topics that targeted all age groups. Several outdoor activities were also carried out, including candlelit marches in both Jaramana and al-Hameh and the distribution of leaflets on GBV-related issues.

 

1 - Jaramana

During the 16-day campaign against GBV, the SSSD team targeted women throughawareness-raising sessionson sexual harassment and abuse, early marriage and intimate partner violence,the importance of education for girls andwomen’s right to work, with a view to women’s empowermentin various aspects of life.

In addition, external activities were carried out that aimed at raising awareness among adolescent boys and girls about the concept of gender discrimination and the importance of gender equality. Such activities included a mixed-gender football match held at the Jaramana Municipal Stadium between the CC adolescentsand a similar mixed-gender basketball game played at the Jaramana Basketball Court. The two games were punctuated by several recreational activities and dances performed by the CC adolescents, awareness activities about women’s rights,with emphasis on women’s right to work and the importance of gender equality in terms of opportunities, services and available/provided resources.

With the participation of the Women’s Committees, children of the Child Protection Club and some school girls, wall paintings were executedon the wall of the Haitham Abdu-s-Salam School, expressing the rights of the child and the right of the girl to education. The first mural featured raised hands representing fundamental rights, each handrepresenting one of these rights (the rights to equality, to education, to health care, to opinion, to play, etc.). The second mural, entitled Teach them…, reflected the importance of education for children regardless of gender. The third muralfeatured the campaign’s mottoSafety and Equality at Home, at Work and Everywhere. The fourth muralrepresenteda group of children carrying their notebooks.The fifth mural was a graffiti with the slogan Education IS Safety.At the end of the activity the children distributed GBV leaflets to passers-by and all participants were thanked for their assistance.

In order to emphasize the importance of reporting GBV in case of exposure, a candlelit vigil was carried out in the vicinity of the Swords Square, Jaramana, with members of the Women’s Committees and children of the CP Club holding placards about gender equality, women’s rights, No to Violence signs and the importance of GBV reporting.

After that, the march began around the Swords Square, led by the Damascus Scouts Band, with the participation of SSSD volunteers and the CP Club, carrying placards with GBV-related slogans.At the end of the march, the Scouts performed their music in the courtyard and Women’s Committee members and female passers-by raised placardsagainst gender discrimination. Anti-GBV leaflets were distributed and a panto sketch featured a battered woman who resorted tolaw to solve her problem. “Violence against women is inadmissible,” said a man from the audience.“With determination and perseverance women can overcome violence against them,” said a woman.

After that, a drama sketch about early marriage was presented, highlighting the problems facing girls married off at an early age. The performance was an occasion to discuss the causes and consequences of GBV. “This marriage is unlawful and must be invalidated,” commented a man.

Weconcluded the activity with a final march around the Squarewith the participation of the Scouts, the CP Club and Women’s Committee members.

In order to emphasize the complementary roles of men and women, the right of women to choose the work they want and their ability to exercise all professions, one of the streets of the Karm Smadi neighbourhood was specially prepared and the CC female volunteers dressed in the outfit of occupationsusually reserved for men (wall painter,gas seller,mechanic,blacksmith, etc.). Every volunteer carried a slogan (“I can,”We’re equal, aren’t we?”“What prevents?”) in order to emphasize gender equality. One of the women said, “There’s nothing shameful in work. It’s one of women’s rights. What you’re doing is really wonderful!” Another woman shared a personal experience. “I was truly thrilled by what I saw because I had experienced a phase in my life when I had to connect a gas cylinder, repair faucets, etc., all by myself,” she said. One woman enquired about the reason why women were dressed like that, while other womenwere surprisedthat women could exercisesuch professions. So, it was explained to them that the aim was to express the importance of women’s role in community and their ability to play it effectively.

With the participation of members of the Women’s Committee, we also heldplacards highlighting the obstacles facing women and preventing them from assuming their role in community. “Deprivation of resources and opportunities harms women and,consequently,causes social disintegration.It also leads to total marginalization of women,” said one woman.

In the meantime, one of the SSSD volunteers,dressed infolk clothes,poured Arabic coffee for passers-by. Leaflets were also distributed. At the end of the activity, CP Clubmembers presented a dabké dance.

Finally, we asked for some supportive messages, such as: “Say what’s on your mind,” “Don’t let the 16-Day event pass like that,” “Be strong,” etc.).

The event was closed at the Waqf Hall, Jaramana, with the CC children and teens performing a group dance and thanking the beneficiaries for their attendance and participation.

 
2 - Al-Hameh

During the 16-day campaign against GBV, the SSSD team targeted women throughawareness-raising sessionson sexual harassment and abuse, early marriage and intimate partner violence,the importance of education for girls andwomen’s right to work, with a view to women’s empowermentin various aspects of life.

In addition, external activities were carried out that aimed at raising awareness among adolescent boys and girls about the concept of gender discrimination and the importance of gender equality. Such activities included a mixed-gender football match held at the Jaramana Municipal Stadium between the CC adolescentsand a similar mixed-gender basketball game played at the Jaramana Basketball Court. The two games were punctuated by several recreational activities and dances performed by the CC adolescents, awareness activities about women’s rights,with emphasis on women’s right to work and the importance of gender equality in terms of opportunities, services and available/provided resources.

With the participation of the Women’s Committees, children of the Child Protection Club and some school girls, wall paintings were executedon the wall of the Haitham Abdu-s-Salam School, expressing the rights of the child and the right of the girl to education. The first mural featured raised hands representing fundamental rights, each handrepresenting one of these rights (the rights to equality, to education, to health care, to opinion, to play, etc.). The second mural, entitled Teach them…, reflected the importance of education for children regardless of gender. The third muralfeatured the campaign’s mottoSafety and Equality at Home, at Work and Everywhere. The fourth muralrepresenteda group of children carrying their notebooks.The fifth mural was a graffiti with the slogan Education IS Safety.At the end of the activity the children distributed GBV leaflets to passers-by and all participants were thanked for their assistance.

In order to emphasize the importance of reporting GBV in case of exposure, a candlelit vigil was carried out in the vicinity of the Swords Square, Jaramana, with members of the Women’s Committees and children of the CP Club holding placards about gender equality, women’s rights, No to Violence signs and the importance of GBV reporting.

After that, the march began around the Swords Square, led by the Damascus Scouts Band, with the participation of SSSD volunteers and the CP Club, carrying placards with GBV-related slogans.At the end of the march, the Scouts performed their music in the courtyard and Women’s Committee members and female passers-by raised placardsagainst gender discrimination. Anti-GBV leaflets were distributed and a panto sketch featured a battered woman who resorted tolaw to solve her problem. “Violence against women is inadmissible,” said a man from the audience.“With determination and perseverance women can overcome violence against them,” said a woman.

After that, a drama sketch about early marriage was presented, highlighting the problems facing girls married off at an early age. The performance was an occasion to discuss the causes and consequences of GBV. “This marriage is unlawful and must be invalidated,” commented a man.

Weconcluded the activity with a final march around the Squarewith the participation of the Scouts, the CP Club and Women’s Committee members.

In order to emphasize the complementary roles of men and women, the right of women to choose the work they want and their ability to exercise all professions, one of the streets of the Karm Smadi neighbourhood was specially prepared and the CC female volunteers dressed in the outfit of occupationsusually reserved for men (wall painter,gas seller,mechanic,blacksmith, etc.). Every volunteer carried a slogan (“I can,”We’re equal, aren’t we?”“What prevents?”) in order to emphasize gender equality. One of the women said, “There’s nothing shameful in work. It’s one of women’s rights. What you’re doing is really wonderful!” Another woman shared a personal experience. “I was truly thrilled by what I saw because I had experienced a phase in my life when I had to connect a gas cylinder, repair faucets, etc., all by myself,” she said. One woman enquired about the reason why women were dressed like that, while other womenwere surprisedthat women could exercisesuch professions. So, it was explained to them that the aim was to express the importance of women’s role in community and their ability to play it effectively.

With the participation of members of the Women’s Committee, we also heldplacards highlighting the obstacles facing women and preventing them from assuming their role in community. “Deprivation of resources and opportunities harms women and,consequently,causes social disintegration.It also leads to total marginalization of women,” said one woman.

In the meantime, one of the SSSD volunteers,dressed infolk clothes,poured Arabic coffee for passers-by. Leaflets were also distributed. At the end of the activity, CP Clubmembers presented a dabké dance.

Finally, we asked for some supportive messages, such as: “Say what’s on your mind,” “Don’t let the 16-Day event pass like that,” “Be strong,” etc.).

The event was closed at the Waqf Hall, Jaramana, with the CC children and teens performing a group dance and thanking the beneficiaries for their attendance and participation.

3 - Sett Zeinab

The 16-day event to combat violence against women coincided with the opening of the Sett Zeinab Community Centre, which was an occasion to introduce the community to GBV-related topics and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

The Centrewas prepared to receive various age and community groups. The event lasted from December 1 to December 10 and included awareness sessions on various GBV-related topics, targeting various groups, as well as recreational activities and singing in whichall the CC’s children and adolescents, boys and girls alike, participated.

4 - ‘Adra

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, the SSSD team operating at the‘Adra Industrial Zone and ‘Adra Workers’Housing carried out several awareness and recreational activities.

Based on the fact that women are halfthe society and raise the other half, and sinceknowledge is our safe-conduct to the future and education is indispensable for girls, a library was designed in the form of a girl’s head and assembled at the Farah Community Centre, ‘Adra Industrial Zone. This event was part of the 16-Daysof Activism Against Gender-based Violence, in recognition of women’s right to complete their education and raise awareness against depriving the girls of their lawful right to get educated.The CC’s women arranged the books on the bookshelves and set up a mechanism to borrow books. One of them said, “You truly made my day! Even though I am old, I really want to borrow books, readand broaden my culture!”

At the end of the activity, two video clips were presented, one discussing the importance of education for girls and the other explaining the obstacles to girls’ education. Products of women who followed the vocational training courses at the CC were also exhibited.

Regarding external campaigns, several awareness sessions were held at the ‘Adra el-Balad School on GBV-related topics, in addition to recreational activities targeting children and adolescent boys and girls.

At the AbuRashed Hall, ‘Adra Workers’ Housing, various awareness-raising activities on GBV-related topics were conducted, such asan awareness presentation on reproductive health issues, in view of the absence of a nearby medical point that women can visit. Breast cancer was also focused on, with methods of self-examination presented, as well as and the importance of periodic checking at the doctor’s. Drama sketches, songs and recreational activities were also presented.

Other activities were held at al-Laith Hall, ‘Adra Industrial Zone, with awareness and recreational activities.

One of the girls: “Thanks to the Farah Centre, thanks to their support and encouragement, I returned to my school.To all who participated in such a wonderful humanitarian work I say: THANK YOU!”

The event was concluded with a promo presentation of all campaigns carried out from the beginning of the year. Thus, the women could recapitulateall the major topics discussed with them during the year, most notably the early marriage campaign, the girl’s right to education campaign and the importance of reporting GBV and intimate partner violence. The womenrecalled many of the details discussed during those campaigns and the information they hadlearned.

 

 

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