Day of the Girl: Meet Solaf, student, refugee and Taekwondo enthusiast
To recognise the rights of girls and the unique challenges girls face around the world, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declaring 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, also known as Day of the Girl.
Women and girls make up around 50 per cent of any refugee, internally displaced or stateless population. Through the generous assistance of donors, UNHCR is helping improve the lives of girls through programs that ensure their safety, nutrition and access to education.
“If you educate girls, you educate generations” — Aqeela Asifi, 2015 Nansen Refugee Award Winner
In Azraq refugee camp in Jordan, a 9 year old Syrian refugee girl Solaf, lives with her mother, father and brother awaiting resettlement in the United States.
Australia for UNHCR in partnership with UNHCR Amman and Marie Claire interviewed Solaf to learn more about her interests and what brings her joy each day.
What is your favourite subject at school? Why?
English, because I can memorize all the foreign letters and I have memorized the numbers from 1 to 100.
What is your favourite thing to do after school? Why?
After finishing school, I go to my Taekwondo class; afterwards, I go the NRC centers (Norwegian Refugee Council) to learn more and take extra courses to strength my knowledge.
What sport, hobby or activity makes you happiest?
I love Taekwondo and acting. I once participated in our community center in a play; it was about a mom and her daughter and the daughter was always doing the opposite of what the mum said. I played the role of the daughter but, in reality, I always do what my mum asks me to do.
Tell me about your best friend? How does he/she make you feel happy?
Sidra was my best friend, but she left to the United States too. I met her during Eid last year. She came to the community center, we played together and then we became friends. I love her because she always helps people and, whenever she has news toys, she always gives them to the other kids.
Who do you love most in your family? Why? Tell me about a time when they made you feel happy?
My brother and my dad. My brother always plays with me and we have fun together and my dad always buys me nice things.
Tell me a time that made you feel sad? What did you do to stop feeling sad?
Me and my mum once planted flowers next to our shelters and grew them; then, a girl from the neighborhood came and destroyed them. I was so sad but then I got new seeds and planted new ones.
Tell me about a time you made someone happy? What did you do?
I help my mum in the house; I know how to prepare coffee, tea and juice. My mum is happy when I help her so she doesn’t get tired.
What do you love most about yourself?
My hair when my mum styles it; she braids it all and puts little flowers all around my head… It looked so nice, no other girl in our neighborhood had it.
Help UNHCR empower refugee girls to envisage and create better futures, donate now at unrefugees.org.au/donate.
