Where Learning Brings Back Hope
Amid the ongoing instability in southern Lebanon, children continue to face serious disruptions in their education. Even when families manage to remain in one place, the environment around them is still marked by tension and uncertainty. Safety concerns, limited access to schools, and the emotional toll of prolonged hostilities have become the main barriers to learning, making it difficult for children to stay engaged and keep up with their studies.
Ilaf, a seven-year-old Lebanese girl in grade 3, attends one of the centres three days a week for four hours each day. She and her family were displaced from their home in Bint Jbeil due to the escalation in the south and had to settle in a safer area, where she enrolled in a new school. Through the school’s referral, our team was able to reach Ilaf and walk alongside her in her education journey, offering the support she needs to stay connected to learning.
With consistent support through the retention programme, Ilaf quickly noticed a positive change. “My grades are better now,” she shares with a smile. “I love coming to the centre and spending time with my friends and my teachers.” She speaks warmly about her teachers, “They are so kind and helpful.”
Beyond academics, the centre has also nurtured her creativity. Ilaf dreams of becoming an artist. “I love drawing and painting,” she says, her eyes lighting up with joy.
Sharing a similar journey is Sarah, a ten-year-old Syrian girl born in Lebanon. She lives with her parents and her four siblings, one sister and three brothers. As the eldest sibling, Sarah feels a strong sense of responsibility towards her family.
Displaced by the escalation in the south, Sarah’s family first moved to the Beqaa and then returned back “I was really sad and missed being here,” she recalls, adding that during this time, they did not attend school, and in Beqaa they stayed home because of the bombings. Returning to the learning centre brought normality and happiness to Sarah and her siblings. She says, “The sessions we take at the centre are amazing. We learn, study, and do many fun activities.”
Excited about the end-of-year celebration, Sarah shares, “We’re practicing a dance to perform on stage. I feel excited and happy to go up there, especially in front of my parents, World Vision Lebanon, Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, and Shield.” Looking ahead, Sarah’s dream is full of determination as she says, “I want to become a doctor to help people.”
Under a project funded by the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), World Vision Lebanon, in partnership with Shield Association, is implementing an education retention programme in southern Lebanon. This programme provides children affected by conflict and repeated displacement with academic support and a safe environment to continue their studies. By restoring routine and stability, the programme helps children improve their academic performance while also nurturing their emotional well-being.
This education retention programme has already supported around 400 children like Ilaf and Sarah, helping them keep up with their education, regain stability, and rebuild a sense of safety and hope. Yet countless others remain without access to this vital support, as damaged infrastructure and the growing number of people in need far exceed available funding, their futures hanging in the balance. Now is the time to expand this lifeline to every child, giving them a chance at a better future.