The Story and Impact of Safa’a's Voluntary Work with UNICEF
Helping the Most Vulnerable Children.
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"When we first arrived in Jordan, life was incredibly tough," recalls Safa’a, a 34-year-old refugee from Hama, Syria. "We moved from one informal tented settlement to another, and my husband took up seasonal farm work to support us. Our children longed for stability."
In 2015, Safa’a's life took a turn when she began volunteering with UNICEF’s Makani programme. "This opportunity not only provided us with a steady income but also allowed us to settle in one place," she says. "More importantly, it gave me the chance to make a difference in the lives of many children who, like my own, had been deprived of basic rights."
At the Makani center, Safa’a teaches math, literacy, life skills, and English. "The center is a beacon of hope for refugee children," she explains. "It offers them access to learning, protection, and a safe space to play." She also educates children about their rights and how to recognize and report dangers like bullying and child labor. "Without this knowledge, these children wouldn't know how to protect themselves," she emphasizes.
Living in the same community as her students, Safa’a is always available to support them. "During winter, when roads are blocked by mud, or during the pandemic, I could still support the children," she says. "UNICEF's provision of internet, tablets, and learning materials has been invaluable."
Safa’a's biggest success is helping children who were completely illiterate. "Many of these children now know how to read and write," she beams. "This is my greatest triumph and the essence of UNICEF’s mission."
The Makani programme engages Syrian volunteers, offering livelihood opportunities that provide integration and economic support, promote their professional growth and self-reliance.
Support for UNICEF’s IBV programme in schools is generously provided by the Government of Germany, through KfW.
