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Jordan: Major Shift-forward for a Syrian Refugee Student in TVET
Ibrahim NASHWATI | 03-04-2023
Za'atari Refugee Camp, Mafraq - Mays El Reem Al Bakir, a 26-years-old Syrian refugee who was displaced from her hometown at the age of 16, had no choice but to adapt to the new changes imposed on her and her family, as a result of the erupted Syrian war back in 2011.“I denied reality at first, I was still processing the fact our home was diminished and had nowhere to go! I had to leave my family and friends behind. We had to co-exist with the new arrangements at the Za’atari refugee camp in Northern Jordan. It was not an easy chapter in my life”, Mays El Reem said.After years of living in Za’tari refugee camp, Mays El Reem had high hopes of gaining the knowledge, certification, and financial independence to become a productive individual in society. Although she didn’t want to continue her education at first, the Qudra2 programme scholarship surely changed her mind, having her score the highest grades in the beauty discipline she had enrolled in.Going back to 2020, when Mays El Reem heard about the Qudra2 programme scholarships from her friend, she applied without hesitation and got accepted. “I chose the beauty programme, as I wanted to be a part of something new and challenging”, Mays El Reem said and added, “women can be professional makeup artists, women can be anything they want as long as they set their mind to it”.The training courses Mays El Reem applied to is a part of a larger programme, “Qudra 2” which is known to be the second phase of a large multi-country, multi-donor programme named: “Qudra– Resilience for Refugees, IDPs, Returnees and Host Communities in response to the protracted Syrian and Iraqi Crises”, that is being implemented and administered by Enabel in Jordan in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). This intervention is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in particular, SDG4, which vividly focuses on ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning.Along with the training courses, Enabel in Jordan promotes the Work-based Learning methodology as a part of its intervention to help beneficiaries acquire new competencies based on today’s labour market needs, by bridging them with workplaces to experience a real-life and dynamic work environment.While deciding to choose marriage over her secondary examinations, Mays El Reem vowed to learn from her setbacks and develop solid firmness and skillset whenever the opportunity represents itself again. “My husband was my backbone, he promised to support me to continue my education once we had settled in our own home. Not so long after, we did, and he bought me all the books and stationery to prepare me for the big exam. Months later, I re-did the secondary examinations and obtained my certificate in spite of the challenges and the fact that I had 5-months-old daughter to take care of”, shared Mays El Reem.Aside from the Qudra2 programme, Mays El Reem like many other beneficiaries had to enroll in the essential life skills course, which prepared her to lay a foundation of knowledge in setting priorities right, learn how to use her time effectively, and set long-term goals. “This course made me a better person and a self-motivated thinker, I started being in the solution, not the problem, and importantly maintain a healthy mind”, shared Mays El Reem.After completing the course, Mays El Reem received funds from one of the big UN organisations, which allowed her to open up her own beauty salon and equip it with all the assets and necessary tools to kickoff. “I learned a lot working independently, people started trusting me around the refugee camp, and refer to me as their first resource for any beauty tip”, said Mays El Reem.After finishing her scholarship with the Qudra 2 programme, Mays El Reem was asked to train beneficiaries of the beauty programme at the NRC salon centre in Za’atari refugee camp. “When I received that phone call from the NRC team announcing the good news, I felt this is the start of a new phase in my life”.“My second milestone is to sign up for higher level training programmes in the beauty and makeup domain, to build my capacity further and stay aligned with the latest international trends”, said Mays El Reem and added. “I usually watch makeup and beauty tutorials online when I put the kids to sleep to stay tuned with the latest styles in the industry, I need to stay looped, to make it to the top, fingers crossed." Mays El Reem concluded.
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Jordan: Syrian student pursues entrepreneurship through the Qudra 2 scholarship's programme
Ibrahim NASHWATI | 06-03-2023
‘Fatenah Arbsh 23-year-old has a lot to teach us about determination. She and her 8 siblings left Syria in 2012, arriving in Jordan with little more than the clothes on their backs.Amman – Wanting to help her family to make ends meet, the 12-year-old refugee who had just arrived to Jordan back in 2012 after the Syrian war, always thought of different means to generate money and help her family. Despite her young age, she always had the mindset of an entrepreneur. For a few years, Fatenah played catch-up between school and the world of work. She repeated the 9th grade twice, but this was not the end for her.“I started to search for jobs when I was only 16. My first real work encounter was at a beauty salon near the neighbourhood, but that didn’t last long as I knew there’s something better out there”, Fatenah said, adding, “I wanted to open up my own salon one day”. The moment she learned about the Qudra – Enabel scholarships advertised back in January 2022 through the official Facebook page of National Company for Employment and Training – Enabel’s national implementing partner, Fatenah accessed the link, applied, and got a call back within a week.The scholarship Fatenah had been accepted in, is offered as part of the Enabel project “Skills Development for Employment of Syrian Refugees and Vulnerable Jordanian Youth” co-financed from the European Union Regional Trust Fund "Madad", the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. “It really felt amazing when I got accepted in the makeup course” Fatenah said, and added “I like to go to school and learn. I have been excluded from that feeling in my early years, and attending such courses gives me the motive to become better, as well, contributes to pave my way towards professionalism and intellectuality”. During this Enabel project, more than 2000 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships have been offered to vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugee youth in Jordan. Enabel and the EU have been working to support access to meaningful, accredited post-basic education in a series of nighty eight disciplines, i.e., dough making, beauty and make up, sweets making, etc., where more than 55% female beneficiaries had enrolled in the provision of those scholarships. By May 2023, more than 2000 will be the number of students who had received their graduate diplomas under the Enabel project.“I knew I needed to upscale my skill-set prior to starting a business on my own. Many naysayers whispered that potential risks may be involved in the process and that I should not even try, but such words did not knock me down”, Fatenah shared.Given her former work experience in the domain, Fatenah elaborated on how the course has taught her new hacks and techniques in the beauty industry. When the 4-month course ended in June, Fatenah mobilised her resources to open a salon at her own home. “During the course, I learned about the importance of facial cleaning, manicure and pedicure, and spa treatment essentials, but importantly, how to manage a small business. Today, I apply those hacks in my own salon”, Fatenah said.While deciding to choose marriage over her education back in 2018, Fatenah vowed to learn from her setbacks and pursue educational programmes whenever the opportunity represents itself again. “My husband has been supportive since day one. He is the one to inspire me to renovate a small room in our home. Few months after graduation from the Qudra – Enabel scholarship, at 23 I had my salon decorated and ready to cater to women around my neighbourhood!”. Fatenah enthusiastically expressed. Knowing the limited job opportunities out there in the market, Fatenah asked 2 of her colleagues to extend a helping hand at her new salon. Not so long after, they became permanent workers there, Fatenah told us. Reflecting on what it means to pursue an independent business, Fatenah has a message for those searching for direction: “If you have lost hope in life, you must find it again. This programme brought ambition back into my life and gave me new perspective. When I think of the future, I feel that everything is going to be ok, and so should all of you!”
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Jordan: “After following the programme of scholarship, I am a step closer to where I want to be” says Abdelraheem Halawah
Ibrahim NASHWATI | 31-10-2022
Amman - Abdelraheem Halawah, a 19-years-old Jordanian, has a lot to teach us about persistence. In spite his setback in the “Tawjihi” secondary examinations, Abdelraheem never stopped pursing his educational journey. Having passion towards culinary arts, Abdelraheem believes that TVET is the right path for him. “I started looking for scholarships over the internet until I came across opportunities advertised by Enabel’s national partner – Education for Employment (EFE)” Abdelraheem said, and added; “I applied through a Facebook link with hopes I would get accepted”. This scholarship was offered as part of the Qudra 2 programme – Resilience for refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities in response to the protracted Syrian and Iraqi crises, co-funded from the European Union Regional Trust Fund "Madad", the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, implemented by Enabel under its on-going project “Skills Development for Employment of Syrian Refugees and Vulnerable Jordanian Youth” in cooperation with EFE. “When I learned that I had been accepted into the programme in September 2021, I was overwhelmed with happiness. It was at that moment I realised that I had a chance to prove and improve myself with my cooking powers. I knew things were going to change for me”, shared Abdelraheem. Wanting to grow in the cooking industry to become a prestigious pastry chef to make his dream come true and further support his family to make ends meet, Abdelraheem was eager to pass his theoretical and practical courses in the sweets making discipline. As he left a positive imprint during his semi-skilled courses and Work-based Learning phase, he was offered back in January 2022 a full-time job as pastry dessert assistant at one of Jordan’s 5-star hotels - where he was completing his practical training aka - Work-based Learning. “I saw potential in Abdelraheem and offered him a full-time job at our hotel’s sweets kitchen. Today, he’s an official employee with the possibility to grow and thrive in the sector. Le Royal Hotels and Resorts provides Work-based Learning opportunities to youth and fresh graduates because we believe that youth must up-scale their competencies and experiences through real working environment to further acquire the skills they need for today’s labour market”. - Faris Ghouka, HR Manager at Le Royal Hotels & Resorts In early 2019, Abdelraheem would always tag along with his father to support him run his business as wedding videographer and photographer. “The way I see it, work is an important factor to productivity and becoming an active member of society. Whenever I had free time, I would accompany my father by being his second hand in parties and weddings, I learned a lot from him and there’s a lot to learn from him in the future”, said Abdelraheem. Enabel supports youth to receive quality training programmes as a way of finding employment. This project is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which directly aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning. “The objective of the intervention is to enhance employment outcomes, in particular for Syrian and vulnerable Jordanian youth and women. Today, in collaboration with the VET sector stakeholders, Enabel has developed the Jordan Work-based Learning Model aiming to further refine the trainees’ skills, and make the most of their involvement in their vocational training programmes through engaging them in real-work environments in collaboration with the private sector enterprises”. - Zaid Al – Qaisi, Enabel Acting Project Manager Reflecting on what it means not to pass the his secondary examinations, Abdelraheem has a message for those searching for direction: “be persistent toward what you think about every single day. The way I see it, dreams are doable, through manifestation and daydreaming, which will help you get there soundly”, said Abdelraheem, “after this scholarship, I am a step closer to where I want to be and this is just the start, however, without Qudra 2 – Enabel scholarship, I have no idea how things might have turned out. Fingers crossed the best yet to come", he concluded.
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Jordan: Technical and Vocational Student Faces Uncertainty — but also Opportunity
Ibrahim NASHWATI | 08-08-2022
Za'atari Refugee Camp, Mafraq - Alaa’ Al Haraki, 18-years-old young Syrian, tells us of his exciting and inspirational journey into his career in sewing, and the obstacles he had to overcome along the way.Knowing what he wanted, Alaa’ was not the one to be held back by failure. “Not finishing my high school was not a setback for me”, he said, and added, “in fact, it was just the beginning of my adventure of becoming a professional tailor.” Though he encountered many naysayers and much resistance from his surroundings alike, if they could see things from his perspective, he told us; “my grandmother was my only inspiration, she taught me how to sew and further motivated me to realise my talent in the domain”.Looking back at 2011 when the Syrian war erupted, Alaa’ and his family took their first steps toward Jordan, leaving their hometown behind knowing nothing but uncertainty. Years after living in Za’atari refugee camp; Alaa’ took initiative and applied for the Qudra 2 programme implemented by Enabel in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). “Happily, it was my lucky day when I received a call saying that my application had been accepted”, said Alaa’. He applied for the semi-skilled first level of vocational education training in tailoring. Cherishing this opportunity, he continued to ace all his training classes and eagerly scored high marks than his classmates. That being the case, he was inspired to apply to the second level of the course provided by Qudra 2 programme, and got accepted. The Qudra 2 programme scholarships are special as they are part of the Enabel “Developing skills for employability of Syrian refugees and vulnerable youth in Jordan” intervention. The training Alaa’ applied to is known to be the second phase of a large multi-country, a multi-donor programme named: “Qudra– Resilience for Refugees, IDPs, Returnees and Host Communities in response to the protracted Syrian and Iraqi Crises”. Qudra 2 is implemented by five European development agencies; the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Expertise France, Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID), Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA), and Belgian Development Agency (Enabel) in programme partner countries of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.The close partnership between Enabel and NRC provides support to aspiring young students to build their capacities in particular vocations. This intervention is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Global Goals and, in particular, SDG4, which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all. Regarding any other support Alaa’ had during this time, he had told us: “my grandmother was my backbone; she supported me the whole way, no matter what the obstacle was. She believed in me as much, if not more, as I believed in myself, and I will be eternally grateful to her”, shared Alaa’ and added, “I remember after graduating, I worked at her little tailor shop across the corner in the camp, she started assigning me with many technical tasks besides running errands and doing some chores around”.Besides working at his grandmother’s shop, Alaa’ had to work and study simultaneously to earn some money for the house, otherwise, things would’ve been more challenging, as he was the young breadwinner of the family. “My brother started supporting the house just recently and is helping out with the day-to-day expenses. I am grateful for his support”, said Alaa’.While Alaa’ grew to become a confident and competent tailor, he has plans to apply for advanced programmes to extend his knowledge and competencies in the domain. “I will apply for level three, to shift from the semi-skilled to skilled level of education. I am sure with the right skill set I’ve built, I’m ready now for the skilled training level”, Alaa’ said and continued, “during my free time I search for scholarships online and apply, to further my education".Straightening up his back and taking a deep breath, Alaa’ told us as grateful as he is for all the support he received from the Qudra 2 programme and Enabel with emphasis if he had the chance to go back to his hometown and rebuild what has been torn down, he’d do it in a heartbeat, and added; “never give up on your dreams and always move forward regardless how hard things are, we have got to learn to enjoy where we are today, because what's meant to be will eventually find its way. That is the secret to a healthy life”.