In Syria, nine-year-old Abdulkarim carries responsibilities far beyond his age. When his family returned home after the war, they faced new struggles: his father’s illness worsened, leaving the family with limited income. To help, Abdulkarim worked long hours in his father’s small grocery store, doing what he could to cover basic needs. But this came at an important cost. His education.

“I struggled to keep up in school,” he recalled. The pressures of providing for his family left little time for studying, and the dream of a normal childhood slipped further and further away.

That changed when his mother heard from neighbors about ADRA’s remedial education program at the Khalid Al-Faris School. Determined to give her son another chance, she registered him right away and began helping in the shop herself so that Abdulkarim could attend the classes.

The effect was immediate. With the support of a dedicated teacher, Abdulkarim began to regain confidence. Creative teaching methods made mathematics, Arabic, and science not only easier to understand but enjoyable. “Day by day, I got more attached to the lessons and activities that my wonderful teacher conducted,” he said.

ADRA’s support extended beyond the classroom. “ADRA helped my parents understand the need for education, and they encouraged me to stay in school,” Abdulkarim explained, which gave him the encouragement he needed at home. To relieve the family’s financial burden, ADRA also provided him with a school bag filled with essential supplies.

Today, Abdulkarim is back on track with his education and has rekindled his love for learning. “Thank you very much, ADRA!” he said proudly.