A new beginning
With support from UNICEF’s Self-Learning Programme, children with disabilities in Dar’a are finding their voice, gaining life skills, and reconnecting with learning
Dar’a city- “Watching my son grow and thrive at the centre fills my heart with joy and gratitude," said Huda, a mother from Dar’a, as she looked proudly at her 14-year-old son Majd. “Two years ago, Majd couldn’t form a full sentence or express his needs. Now, we can talk for hours about all sorts of things.”
Majd, 14, lives with his parents and 12-year-old brother, Mohammed. Their father, a tailor, is the sole breadwinner. The family fled violence in Dar’a shortly after Majd was born and sought refuge in Lebanon.
At age 4, Huda enrolled Majd in school, but he struggled. “I began noticing things weren’t quite right. His teachers suggested I consult a specialist, so I did.”
Both Majd and Mohammed were later diagnosed with autism. “We couldn’t afford specialised care. Everything in Lebanon was expensive, and Majd couldn’t cope in a mainstream school. For years, we felt stuck.”
In 2023, the family returned to Dar’a, and Majd was 12. Once settled, Huda approached the local Directorate of Education to explore options. That’s when she discovered a UNICEF-supported self-learning centre for children with disabilities. The programme helps out-of-school children catch up on learning, with specialised assistance to help children with disabilities integrate into the community.
“I went that same day and enrolled them both. I didn’t have high hopes, but I wanted to try.” From that moment, everything began to change.
Majd and Mohammed started attending the centre daily, with Huda supporting them every step of the way. Majd received individual therapy for communication and life skills, along with classes in reading, writing, and math. “I feel so good at the centre,” he said excitedly.
“I know the multiplication table by heart. My teacher is really proud of me! I also have lots of friends, and we play together and have so much fun,” said Majd. “More than anything, I’m grateful that Majd has learned how to interact and connect with people. His cognitive awareness has improved so much,” his mother commented.
Beyond academics, Majd is also learning practical skills - from recognising food flavours to handling money. “I buy food for my mother, and I know how to calculate prices,” he said proudly.
To nurture his independence, Majd now sets daily goals with support from his teachers and mother. “Yesterday, I helped my mother with the laundry, cleaned my shoes, and made popcorn for me and Mohammed!”
“The centre supports me as well,” said Huda. “We work as a team - the teachers, my sons, and me. I speak with the staff daily for guidance, so I can continue their learning at home.”
“Since my sons started this journey, life has taken on a new meaning. Every morning, we wake up with purpose. We each have a goal and a dream to follow.”
Majd dreams of becoming a car mechanic. “I want to earn my own money and take care of my parents when they grow old,” he concluded happily.
In 2025, UNICEF reached more than 34,000 children through the Self-Learning Programme to help them continue their education. This support was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of EU Humanitarian Aid; the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the KfW Development Bank; the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); the Governments of Australia, Finland, Japan and the Republic of Korea; and the Global Partnership for Education.
