Syria literacy program: "The first word I read was my daughter's name"

‘I want them to be proud of their mother’

“Every woman should be educated. Thankfully the role of women is changing in the community. Organizations come to the villages and help women learn to read and write or sew or other professions. In the past this wasn’t available or acceptable.

“It is important for a woman to be educated, for herself, and for her children. One day my son came home and told me there’s this program that teaches women to write and read. He encouraged me to participate, so I registered. I’m glad I joined. Everything about the training was special. I felt alive. I didn’t want it to end.

“It was like we were in school. We used to call each other for help with homework. Sometimes the teachers would ask: ‘Are you sure you didn’t copy each other’s homework?’ and we would laugh.

“The first word I read was my daughter’s name. I had just learned to spell her name when she called! I looked at my phone and my teacher ask me to try and read the caller’s name. I looked at it again and recognized my daughter’s name! It was the happiest moment of my life.

“Before, I couldn’t read the Quran or anything at all. Now I can read the Quran. I can read the banners in the street. I know who is calling me. I can find my children’s names in the contact list in my mobile.

“I am proud I can read. And I am proud of my children. They’re the ones who motivated me to get an education. I want them to be proud of their mother. My wish is to continue with such classes so I can be better at reading and writing.”

* Name changed for privacy.