In the heart of refugee camps and underserved communities, hope often flickers in the smallest acts of courage. These stories highlight individuals who, despite displacement and adversity, have turned their circumstances into stepping stones toward a brighter future. From empowering others through education to building platforms for change, these voices remind us that resilience knows no boundaries.
Alaa’s journey to become a voice for refugees
A Syrian refugee living in a refugee camp, Alaa’, didn’t let the circumstances in the camp to stop her from reaching her dream, determined to make the camp her launchpad not her limit. She led sessions that help girls build confidence, understand the importance of their education, and learn to set goals for themselves. Seeing them grow in strength and self-belief fuels her own determination.
Alaa’ seized every opportunity to work as a journalist, sharing stories from inside and outside the camp. She dreams of pursuing a postgraduate degree and to produce documentaries that show the world the reality of their lives.
“I don’t just want to report on humanitarian issues; I want to be a leading voice from within the refugee community, working for a major media organisation,” shares Alaa’.
Alaa knew that she couldn’t let my circumstances define who she was, she had to find a way to make a difference, especially for the girls growing up around her, she said. That’s why she started volunteering with Najahna Programme. Through the program, she led sessions that help girls build confidence, understand the importance of their education, and learn to set goals for themselves. Seeing them grow in strength and self-belief fuels her own determination.
This work reminded her of her true passion, storytelling. She realized that becoming a journalist was the most powerful way to challenge the narrative about refugees.
“I don’t just want to report on humanitarian issues; I want to be a leading voice from within the refugee community, working for a major media organisation.”
Alaa’
Doaa develops skills to support her family
Carrying dreams for a life beyond fences, Doaa is a mother of 3 children and a Syrian refugee living in a refugee camp.
Doaa is seeking change by keeping herself busy, learning new skills, and taking part in training opportunities. Through one of these trainings, she received a grant which she used to launch a hydroponic farming initiative, turning innovation into income and supporting her family’s future.
She says that everything she does is for her children. Her dream is to leave the camp and to gain an educational degree, she strives to see her children successful in their lives.
“I have many dreams, but my biggest dream is to one day leave the camp, get an education, and see my children become successful,” explains Doaa
“I have many dreams, but my biggest dream is to one day leave the camp, get an education, and see my children become successful.”
Doaa
Anoud builds a safe learning space for children
A 30-year-old entrepreneur, Anoud, watching local youth fall behind in their learning, simply because they were from Jordan’s most underserved areas, where educational challenges are getting worse.
She founded an educational centre, to provide after school tutoring and, more importantly, a safe learning space for her community children.
“My story is more than just about a school. It’s about the transformative power of education and the importance of community-led solutions,” explains Anoud.
Anoud speaks proudly about her centre sharing the incredible results she has achieved, raising the educational performance of the students and children studying at her centre.
Anoud
“With the support of a grant from Najahna programme, I was able to expand the center, improve the quality of our lessons, and equip it with the resources our students need to thrive,” Anoud shares.
From refugee to innovator
Abdulmajeed, a Syrian refugee, used his background in tech and passion for learning to gain hands-on experience that sparked a bigger idea. Inspired by the lack of practical learning in traditional education, he created an online platform where students are taught technical skills like programming and digital content creation.
“Najahna programme gave me the opportunity to receive training at a coding school. The training was unlike anything I had experienced in college; it was highly practical, teaching me real-world skills in .NET, JavaScript, and project management that the industry demands,” Abdulmajeed shares, adding that beyond technical skills, the program taught him how to be a leader, taking on roles like Scrum Master and Product Owner in team projects.
He adds that “this experience didn’t just prepare me for a job; it inspired me to create something of my own. I saw a gap in traditional education and wanted to build a bridge. That’s when I developed Fekra Online, a platform where students with technical expertise can teach their skills, like programming and digital content creation, to other students who are eager to learn. I wanted to empower students to share knowledge with each other and go beyond the limits of the classroom.”
“My dream is to take my platform to other countries across the Arab region,” says Abdulmajeed. His goal was to empower students to share knowledge with each other and go beyond the limits of the classroom.
“The skills I’ve gained through Najahna have not only prepared me for the industry but have also given me the confidence to create opportunities for others.”
Abdulmajeed
How Plan International helped
Through the Najahna Programme, young Syrians and Jordanians like Alaa, Doaa, and Anoud have transformed their aspirations into tangible achievements. By offering tailored training, mentorship, and business support, Najahna equips youth with the confidence and resources to shape their futures and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Alaa gained digital storytelling and content creation skills through the mobile journalism training, empowering her to advocate for her community.
Doaa received a business grant that enabled her to launch a hydroponic farming initiative, turning innovation into income and supporting her family’s future.
Anoud used her grant to expand her educational centre, enhance learning tools, and inspire other women through strengthened leadership.
Abdulmajeed received coding training, where he developed key technical skills in programming, teamwork, and project management. He refined his project idea, and transformed his vision into a real platform for youth-led innovation and collaboration.
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