Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) “I love my school so much,” says eight-year-old Aseel El-Sharif, who dreams of being a teacher one day. “I would like to become an English teacher, but I’m confused between choosing to become an English or Arabic teacher because I love both subjects!”
Aseel belongs to the population of Palestine refugees in Lebanon displaced from Nahr el-Bared Camp, and currently lives in Jabal el-Beddawi area. She is a visually impaired student studying in Grade 3 at the UNRWA Mazar School in Beddawi Camp, North Lebanon.
“Aseel receives full support from her teachers, the Learning Support Teachers, and the school administration,” Aseel’s mother says. “During the period of distance education, the school provided her with a Braille machine. In addition, her learning support teacher copied all the same subject materials for her in Braille that the other students in the school received as printed materials from UNRWA.”
“My eldest son, who is also a visually impaired, supports her at home,” she adds.
The Learning Support Room designated for the visually impaired students at the UNRWA Mazar Preparatory School in Beddawi camp, contains materials and equipment needed for education, such as Braille publications, teaching aids, and Braille printers.
Her mother continues: “It’s not easy being a visually impaired child. She wants to learn, play, dream and enjoy her life equally with all other children across the world. The Mazar School is the only place that provides her with the opportunity for an education.”
Aseel is very happy to go back to school in person. “I’m very happy that the coronavirus pandemic has ended so that I will continue learning in my school with my classmates and teachers.”
UNRWA works to protect and promote the human rights, fundamental freedoms, and human development of all Palestine refugees in all settings, including development and humanitarian/emergency contexts, in accordance with international law, and to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to provide a quality education for all, leaving no one behind.