Despite being a diligent student and a passionate learner, Basma*, 11, was forced to leave school because of the conflict in Syria. When she was in the second grade, Basma witnessed bombardment during a school day. After that she spent the remainder of the school year in a makeshift school in a basement.
The following year was particularly hard for the family. In the space of 12 months Basma lost her father, her best friend, and her favourite teacher during the conflict, which also caused her brother and sister permanent disabilities due to conflict-caused injuries. The family was forced to leave their home and seek refuge in a displacement camp in North East Syria. This ended Basma’s education while she was only in the third grade.
At the camp, and after two years of disruption to her education, Basma was enrolled in Save the Children’s school at the camp. Basma dreams of becoming a doctor one day to honor her father and help fund the treatment of her sick mother.
(Names have been changed to protect identity)
