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UAE-based teacher, students help displaced children catch up on missed lessons

Abu Dhabi - Raeda Faisal, who is from Jordan, teaches at Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls in Abu Dhabi.

A school teacher and some of her students are helping underprivileged and displaced children from Syria and Palestine catch up on lessons they missed due to their circumstances.
Raeda Faisal, who is from Jordan and teaches at Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls in Abu Dhabi, collaborated with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) to launch a scheme called 'Basmt Amal', which means 'Ray of Hope'. It supports 35 displaced students aged between six and 14 years from Syria and Palestine by helping fill gaps in their education caused by crises.
"I have been heading a volunteering and community service programme at our school called 'Helping Hands', where annually we collaborate with the ERC and adopt a specific programme. Previously, we have helped students of determination and children who are unwell," said Faisal, an Arabic teacher at the school.
The programme saw Raeda and her select set of 17 volunteer students teach the displaced students core subjects like English, Math, Arabic, Science, Islamic studies and sign language. They are also teaching the students post-Covid-19 health and hygiene awareness sessions.
Faisal said: "Before the pandemic, we were holding these classes in person at a learning centre on Sundays and Tuesdays. However, after the pandemic struck, we have shifted our classes online. With the help of the ERC, we have also provided the students with appropriate devices and study materials free of cost."
Apart from teaching the core subjects, Raeda and her students use innovative ways to keep the children engaged online. "In addition to holding Zoom video sessions with the displaced students, we have also launched an online learning channel for them, where we upload education videos so that the children can see them at their convenience and whenever they get access to WiFi. Also during the ongoing summer break, we are now working harder with these students and organising online competitions and talent shows to encourage them to explore and pursue their talents."
Calling it a unique experience, Aryam Al Kaabi, a student volunteer who teaches the children art, said: "I learned that giving is not done only with money. We can give by teaching these innocent displaced children, training them and helping them overcome difficulties. I understand that we cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone."
saman@khaleejtimes.com