Sarah's Story: Overcoming an Earthquake and School Bullying

At just 14, Sarah* carried burdens far beyond her years. In Syria, she went through the trauma of crisis, her family's severe financial hardship, and the 2023 Syria earthquake. She was left feeling mentally and physically exhausted. The family had no refuge.

“The area we lived in was hit hard by the earthquake, our home crumbled, all we could do was run for our lives. We spent a month in a mosque packed with other families before relocating to a relative’s house”, shares Sarah’s mother, Maha*. 

Bullying preventing an Education

School is a place of learning, growth and friendships, but for many, this is a far cry from reality. One in three children get bullied in school worldwide and Syria is no exception. In a country already shaken by conflict, displacement, and poverty, school bullying can feel like shutting every possible door. 

For a 14-year-old in Sarah's position, the emotional weight of an earthquake and the upheaval it caused would be overwhelming on its own. But combined with relentless bullying at school, life became almost unbearable.

“My daughter faced bullying so harsh that she skipped school for days. They mocked her appearance and for being quiet, which made her withdraw even more. With all the bullying and skipped school days, her grades suffered greatly,” shares the mother, heartbroken.

Day by day, Sarah’s parents grew increasingly worried as the spark in their daughter’s eyes began to fade. But the tide finally turned when they heard through her school about the World Vision Syria Response protection project: Earthquake Response to Affected Populations in Aleppo.

Finding a Safe and Supportive Haven

The Protection and Education Program, implemented by partner, St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee (EPDC), provided participants with child protection, psychosocial support, and education services in the WVSR safe child-friendly space. It delivered interactive theatre activities, structured and unstructured psychosocial sessions, and awareness sessions for children and caregivers.

A key component is the specialised child protection case management, where vulnerable children receive tailored support, including referrals to medical care (glasses, medical shoes, speech therapy) and other essential services, reducing risks and strengthening protective factors. Alongside this, the project offers remedial education (Arabic, English, Maths, and Science), school supplies distribution, rehabilitation of the safe space, and engaging community initiatives.

Through World Vision’s Child Friendly Space, Sarah attended 72 educational sessions and 19 sessions within psychosocial support programmes. The structured psychosocial support sessions helped her express emotions, build resilience, and connect with peers. Recreational activities gave her a safe space to release stress through play.

Moreover, through case management services, Sarah's health condition was identified, and she was referred to an endocrinologist for her thyroid problem after suffering from symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, low energy and irritability. This ensured that Sarah also received the specialised medical care she needed while taking care of her mental health.

With continued psychosocial and medical support over the school months, these interventions helped Sarah heal. She regained confidence, improved her emotional wellbeing, and felt supported within her community again. 

The Only Way is Up

Maha's reflections after her daughter's treatment were filled with joy:“Her condition has improved significantly. My daughter finally gained her confidence back and started going back to school. Even her weight has improved, and her behaviour with her siblings and friends has changed positively. We are deeply grateful for this project and everyone who stood by our side.” 

Sarah is one of over 370 children in south-central Syria who has benefited from the services provided by World Vision Syria Response’s education and psychosocial support project. Through these safe spaces, children like Sarah didn't just find support, they rediscovered hope, reclaiming their childhood, and stepping forward towards a bigger, brighter future.

*Name changed to protect identity.