Meet Anera’s Nursing Scholarship Recipient: Atef Najjar

Anera’s nursing scholarship opens up opportunities for aspiring nurses in Lebanon, such as Atef Najjar. Once he heard about the scholarship, he took all the necessary steps to pursue his dreams.

While he says that he got a late start in his career, he assures others that, “It’s never too late.”

Since 2023, Anera has provided scholarships to help students pursue their education. Today, 20 scholarships are active across technical nursing and university studies, which helps students develop their skills, enter the workforce, and create stability. Learn more.

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Video transcript:

When I decided to go back and continue my nursing studies, I had one obstacle, which was financial.

I spoke with our department head at the university and asked, “What can I do?”

She came back to me with an answer that there was an organization, Anera, that would cover a large part of my tuition.

It was an indescribable feeling in that moment.

I was so happy, like, “Wow, thank God, someone is able to support me.”

I’m now a Registered Nurse at Mount Lebanon Hospital, working in the ER.

My day starts in the Emergency Room.

We do a routine check on the floor, and we take care of new patients, or sometimes there are already patients there.

If it weren’t for the Anera scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to go back and finish my degree.

And if I hadn’t been able to get it, that spark inside me,my love for nursing and giving, wouldn’t have come back.

Of course, now my job as a nurse may open new opportunities for me within the hospital.

And with the salary, I’ll have more stability going forward.

It will also enable me to grow, and start building a foundation, since I lost many years before.

It’s never too late.

To every young man and woman who is going or has gone through what I went through, don’t lose hope. Have faith.

Maybe now isn’t the right time.

Maybe there are things you still need to learn, or skills to develop in order to achieve what you want.

But keep hope alive.

Reach for your goals. You can do it.