Makani Programme Making a Difference in Sham and Miaman Lives
Makani Centre Transforms Young Lives in Za’atari Refugee Camp
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Sham and Miaman are two Syrian girls who together with their families fled the conflict in their country and found refuge in Za’atari camp. As thousands of children in the camp, Sham and Miaman needed a place to learn, make friends, enjoy their childhood and overcome the hardships of refugee life. They found this place in the Makani centre in the Za’atari camp.
A girl’s Life in Za’atari
Sham,13, lives in the camp with her family, which consists of her two parents, a sister and two brothers. Many things have changed in their lives over the years, but one thing has never changed, Sham’s dream to become a doctor.
To realize this dream, Sham has been trying to cease every opportunity to enhance her chances in quality education. When her family learnt about the Makani center in the Za’atari camp they enrolled her and she started visiting the centre from the first grade, now she is in the seventh grade.
“Despite the difficulties, I find the Makani Centre a haven where I can learn and grow in a supportive and motivating environment. For example, I was struggling to make friends even at school and this was affecting my ability to study, and my grades were low. Thanks to the activities at the centre, I started to make friends. We go to school and study together, now my grades improved and I am back on track,” Sham reflected.
Since 2015, UNICEF and partners have ensured that the most vulnerable children and adolescents in Jordan have access to integrated, critical services in Makani Centres.
Thanks to the generous support of Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund and other partners, the UNICEF-supported Makani programme aims to provide the most vulnerable children and families across Jordan with a comprehensive package of services that includes Learning Support, Skills Building, Child protection and Early Childhood development programmes in host communities and refugee camps.
“When I grow up, I aspire to become a doctor and wish to treat children who have been injured in wars,” Sham says with determination.
The Makani Centre’s Role
Similar to Sham, Miaman, 13, has been living with her family in Za’atari camp for the past 12 years. Miaman likes to stay active and participate in many activities in the camp, but her favorite hobby is to play football. She even has her team at the Makani Centre. She discovered this passion when she joined the Makani Center when she was at the first grade.
Miaman is now in the seventh grade and finds the Makani Centre a place where education blends with activities and comfort. “Whenever I have free time, I come to the center. It’s a place where I can study, play football with my team and enjoy my time with my friends,” Miaman said with a smile on her face.
The innovative teaching methods at Makani centre helped Miaman overcome her fear of mathematics, turning a previously dreaded subject into one of her strengths. “I started improving gradually and began to love mathematics,” she says.
The Makani Centre became a place where learning was both effective and enjoyable. Once Sham and Miaman started joining the Makani center after school, they started improving gradually as they delved into their education and development.
Beyond academics, the Makani Centre’s protection programme played a crucial role in their personal development. Activities like "Squirrels in the Trees" and "Fisherman" taught Sham and Miaman among hundreds of children in the camp valuable life skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and raised their awareness about their rights. These programmes instilled in them the confidence to navigate their challenging environment.
As for Miaman, she aspires to pursue a career in law and become a lawyer to defend the oppressed and work towards achieving justice. The Centre has given her the tools and confidence to dream big and strive for a future where she can make a difference.
