May, 2024
A Success Story from Lebanon's Education Frontline
This program is supported by UNICEF and funded by the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank.
Lebanon's economic turmoil and ongoing regional tensions have created unparalleled hurdles for the education system, once considered the cornerstone of development and hope for future generations. The nation's economy is in shambles, marked by hyperinflation, growing public debt and skyrocketing unemployment rates expected to reach 15% in 2024.
As if the economic crisis weren't challenging enough, Lebanon now grapples with the exacerbating effects of ongoing regional tensions and the looming threat of war. This crisis not only threatens students' access to quality education but also permeates the entire educational ecosystem, affecting teachers, institutions, and the overall educational experience.
In the face of these challenges, Anera, in partnership with UNICEF, stepped up to address the pressing need for skilled educators through their teachers' course. Designed to equip aspiring educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in today's classrooms, this program provides a pathway forward amidst the uncertainty plaguing Lebanon's education sector.
Meet Mona and Samy, two graduates whose journeys exemplify the transformative power of education in the face of adversity.
"This course helped me achieve in months what could have taken years."
Samy, a 23-year-old Syrian/Lebanese Arabic literature graduate, harbored a deep belief that traditional teaching methods in the region required reform. "I always believed that traditional ways of teaching in our countries were damaging for both teachers and students," he reflects. "This course with Anera was the key to achieving that change."
For Samy, the course wasn't just about acquiring strategies and techniques; it was about personal growth and realization.
"To grow as a professor is to learn that you are not the center of what is happening, but only a facilitator," he explains. "This course helped me achieve in months what could have taken years."
Previously struggling to find a steady job to support his family with him and his father being the only source of income in the household, his dedication paid off and he secured a job at Kayany School in the village of Majdal Anjar in the Bekaa following the paid internship phase in the school. "One day in this course is like the experience of an entire semester of teaching," he shares, highlighting the depth of learning and preparation provided by the program.
Mona, a 22-year-old Lebanese business economics graduate, echoes Samy's sentiment about the passion required for effective teaching.
"Teaching is my passion," she affirms. "If you don't have a love for teaching, it's hard to really connect with and engage your students.”
"If you don't have a love for teaching, it's hard to really connect with and engage your students.”
Previously, Mona's journey was marked by a significant hurdle: financial constraints forced her to halt her higher education pursuits. Despite her dedication and love for education, she had to put her dreams on hold due to the inability to pay the fees. With the financial support provided by securing a job after completing the program, Mona could now afford to continue her education. The job not only offered stability but also reignited her dream of pursuing higher studies.
Beyond teaching skills, Mona emphasizes the value of the computer and digital skills she acquired through the YFS package, enabling her to engage students in a more modern and effective manner. "I hope in the future I will be able to leave a great impression on my students," she shares, "but also not forget my Ph.D. dream to become a university professor."
Together, Mona and Samy, along with eleven other Anera graduates who secured a job after finishing the paid internship (cash-for-work) phase, eight got hired in Kayany School, and five were referred to Al Andalus School, represent the resilience and determination of Lebanon's aspiring educators. In the face of daunting challenges, they have embraced the opportunity provided by this program to not only secure employment but to make a lasting impact on the future of Lebanese education.
