The Test!

So, I needed to find out if my efforts teaching the Iraqi refugee kids how to use computers are fruitful. I sat up an examination for them.

Last week, I had the first test and it went very well. The "students" were very excited to compete with each other for higher grades. One of the kids actually cried when she got 8/10. When I saw that, I thought about how much these kids care about studying and learning even when they are this traumatized!

As I asked questions and got the right answers, I felt pleasure that I am doing the right thing although with many difficulties. I mean, considering the fact that I have no single chair, not enough computers or a blackboard, this is an achievement.

However, a few weeks ago, I went to one of the Syrian educational institutes and asked them if they have anything to help with. Eventually, they donated a few computer handouts, which were really helpful. So, things are not too bad at the end.

He Is An Iraqi Citizen

The day before yesterday I was at the theater watching a play with my friend. The director and the actors and I were having a chat before they start the showing. All the Sudden, the director smiled as she looked at the screen of her phone. She received a text message announcing that there is "good news" of an Iraqi journalist throwing his shoes at President.

Everybody was astonished and couldn't wait to watch the footage that they began making jokes about it right in that play showing.
After two hours I return to the area I live. Many Iraqi shops are run by people I know. They invited me and every Iraqi passer by to come to the shop to watch the shoes being thrown at Bush. When one of the five people in that shop shouted in denial of a journalist behaving like that, everybody else told him the journalist was an Iraqi citizen before anything else. It might have been hard for him to be an objective journalist.
I left everybody arguing and went to the internet cafe to watch the footage quietly. I sat there watch it over and over again, and laughed.
Today everybody I know called me to ask if I saw Muntathar Al-zidy, the Journalist and his moment of fame throwing his shoes at Bush.

Noor Hassan

My dream is to be a designer. I also love drawing.

However, I couldn't continue my studies for I had to leave my school and home 3 years ago. And when I came to Syria with my family, we just escaped the danger and I didn't bring my school paperwork from my school in Baghdad. But I will continue drawing.

I want send a message to all girls around the world to tell them that whatever happens, we should continue, and we should help each other in times of crises.

Who will put a smile on their faces?

Sometimes, my family and friends ask me why I do what I do. My answer is that the smile on kids' faces is valueless.

Last week, I started a new class of 8 students, two sessions a week. In the past I couldn't do this alone. But now there's an English woman volunteering with me to teach Iraqi kids. She was excited to meet with the students. On that day, she was waiting for me outside while it was raining heavily. Her clothes were all wet and she was using a scarf as an umbrella. Helen, whose last name shall remain anonymous, came with me and met the eight students as well as their families as we discussed with the kids the subjects they want to learn.

My students enjoyed meeting Helen, the new teacher, very much. She made them feel there are people who care about them.

Asmaa Ali, 11

My idea of life is a very simple life. Not complicated.

First, I want to study.

Second, I want to draw.

Third, I like to make necklaces.

Fourth, I want to be successful in my life for me and my family, exactly like a normal family.

We are without a nation. When will we not live in a strange country? When will we have a home? I am without safety. I am unable to study. My wish is to be successful despite the difficult situation now. We are refugees. If that is OK with you, don't even ask me about it.

My hobbies are drawing and making girls accessories like beaded necklaces.

Hussein Ali, 14

I was a spoiled child and I had many toys, including a Playstation 2, a soccer ball and painting materials. It was a very nice time. My father had a Mercedes that was very nice. I played in the car with my sister many times. My father had to sell the car because we were forced to leave Iraq and we came to Syria. We left everything. I'm very sad because I didn't bring anything with me and I didn't say goodbye to my relatives and friends.

My hobby is drawing which I like very much. I also like to play soccer.

For Fatma

Few days ago, a friend of mine arrived from the United States to Damascus to do some work. While we were meeting with someone, I received a text message from my sister in Baghdad informing me that my other sister had a baby. They named her Fatma. I was very happy and I wanted to share my happiness with my friend. I also wanted to share with him my frustration since I was missing everybody so much. My friend, of course, was excited for me that he wrote a poem on the birth of Fatma. However, I wanted to share with everybody this poem.


A child is born in a country flooded with tears
where rivers of blood have overflowed their banks.
A country that knows its share of shock
but little of the awe that was promised it.
A child is born amidst the rubble
delivered by nations a world away.
Where ignorant men smirk and say shit happens
as thugs and madmen crush beauty
and ancient mysteries are lost forever.
A child is born as an occupying army
watches hell takes its place on earth
and drills and hammers and batteries
and water, glorious water, become the tools
of the devil among men.
A child is born amidst the screams of the tortured
and the sadistic glee of their torturers.
A child is born in a country flooded with the bodies of the dead
discarded in soccer fields, markets, on roadsides or trash heaps.
A child is born and half a world away
I hear her cry, I am Iraqi
My people, my culture live on in me.
A child is born in a country on fire,
her mother cradles her close to her breast
And hope is resurrected from the ashes.

A short video about our project