Raneem's Journey of growth at Makani Centre
How Makani Centre inspired confidence, kindness, and a vision for her future.
- English
- العربية
For 14-year-old Raneem, the Makani Centre is more than just a place to learn or play; it is a second home that has transformed her life. "Makani Centre taught me how to interact with others, respect differences, and discover my abilities. Every moment I’ve spent here has taught me a valuable lesson. Makani is helping me plan for my future and work on my studies, bringing me closer to realizing my dreams," she shares with a bright smile.
Raneem's journey with Makani Centre began in the first grade. Her mother, who deeply valued education despite not completing her university studies, wanted her daughter to succeed and enrolled her in Makani. "My mom heard about the centre from neighbors and decided to enroll me," Raneem recalls. The centre offers a variety of learning support classes that have helped Raneem excel in her school studies.
Initially, Raneem's grades were average, and she doubted her ability to improve. However, her perspective changed as she started benefiting from the Makani Centre classes in subjects like Arabic and mathematics. "The number of students per class is limited, which gave the teachers enough time to focus on each student individually," she explains. This personalized attention improved the quality of learning, and Raneem's grades soared. She soon became one of the top students in her school.
Raneem also participated in a computer class, where she learned basic computer skills and improved her typing speed. "Now that the teachers realized my skills, they started asking me to help them in the computer room," she says proudly. This experience boosted her confidence and belief in her abilities.
The Protection Programme at Makani Centre has had a profound impact on Raneem. It taught her about her rights and how to handle difficult situations. But most importantly, it taught her compassion. "In the past, I bullied another girl in class and didn’t think it was such a big deal. However, teachers here at Makani taught me that every action I make can have a severe impact on others and I shouldn’t take it lightly. I didn’t think my actions would hurt those around me. Now that I’ve learned this, everything changed. When I changed the way, I treat those around me, I became best friends with the girl I bullied in the past and that was after apologizing to her, and she forgave me," Raneem shares.
Raneem dreams of becoming a design and construction engineer. "I have always enjoyed sketching and designing houses in my notebook, and I dream that one day, I will be able to design and build beautiful houses that make people feel happy and safe," she says with determination.
"If you ask me what Makani Centre means to me, I will say it’s the place that made me positive and allowed me to see how beautiful life can be. I have big dreams because of it, and I am now confident that one day I will reach these dreams and become the person I aspire to be," Raneem concludes, her voice filled with hope and confidence.
The Makani programme provides age-appropriate multi-sectoral services by linking informal education, life skills training, and psychosocial support.
This support is made possible thanks to the generosity of The Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD).
