With an uncertain future, Omaima finds hope in education
Like millions of other girls around the world, 15-year-old Omaima aspires to complete a safe, quality education. But Omaima is a refugee and her future remains uncertain. She and her family fled the conflict in Syria and now they live in Za’atari Refugee Camp, in Jordan, where pursuing an education is extremely difficult.
Omaima is one of more than six million school-age refugees whose education has been interrupted by conflict. Refugee children — especially girls — face enormous barriers to education. In times of conflict or disaster, food, shelter, and medical care are considered the top priorities, and education frequently falls by the wayside. Girls face the additional risk of child marriage, which many parents consider to be a safer means of securing their daughters’ futures than allowing them to finish school.
Malala Fund is working hard to ensure that every girl — refugee or not — is able to complete twelve-years of school. Our friends and partners, Image Nation Abu Dhabi and FilmAid International, took He Named Me Malala to refugee camps in Jordan reaching over 4,000 girls living in Za’atari camp. Malala’s story allowed them to realize the great potential in themselves.
“I’ve learned from Malala hope, ambition, strength, courage and bravery.” — Omaima
Despite the obstacles, refugees continue to prioritize school and demand their right to education. Like her peers, Omaima is determined to finish her education– it’s what helps her cope with the present and enables her to work towards a brighter future. For now, she continues her studies at home with her family’s support, dreaming of a future where she can work as a lawyer to defend the rights of girls.
