It is 8 o’clock in the morning, and Miriam (not her real name), 23, is getting ready to welcome students into the kindergarten that she set up in her home.
The kindergarten institute graduate had always hoped to be a teacher, but that was put on hold when the war in Syria erupted. Her family of six fled their home to escape the fighting, and her father was forced into early retirement.
“The war had a big impact on our family and our country. Before, we earned enough to cover our household expenses,” she said. “During the war, prices rose and our money was worth less. Our income is now too low to cover our daily expenses. We can’t even afford the food we need.”
When Miriam heard via social media that the Syria Resilience Consortium was giving out grants to help small businesses, she applied to start a kindergarten in her home.
“I opened a kindergarten so I can teach the children here and improve my own skills and knowledge,” she said. “I felt a sense of responsibility to teach the children who have nowhere else to learn. I want to give them a place where they can learn and feel secure.”
Her application was successful, and Miriam opened a kindergarten in a spare room of her home. She used the money received to buy desks, chairs and toys for children. As part of the programme, she also learned to improve her business and communication skills.
Miriam now supports her family with the income she earns through her work. She says parents find her fees fair and affordable.
“My income is now higher, and it continues to increase with time. The fees are fair, neither high nor low for all families,” she said.
“I’m happy about what I have achieved. I help children, and young men and women.”
Photos: Dream Production/Syria Resilience Consortium
