Introduction

Hundreds of thousands of refugee children from Syria are waiting in Lebanon and Jordan for peace so that they can return to their homes. Most of them are in a hopeless situation. The refugee children live with their families in camps and are especially vulnerable to exploitation, such as child trafficking and child labor. Moreover, they often can not attend school. The project ‘Back to the Future’ can answer the educational needs of these children to become the builders of a brighter future for Syria and the region.

Background

More than 450.000 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and more than 240.000 in Jordan are 3 to 18 years old; 60% of them are out of school. An entire generation is growing up with little reason to nurture hope in a better future, this is why education is crucial for the development of all those affected by the conflict. With the support of the EU (through the EU Madad Trust Fund), the organisations AVSI, Terre des Hommes Italy, Terre des Hommes Netherlands and War Child Holland launched the project 'Back to the Future'. Over a 3-year period (2016-2019) , the project will enable more than 18,682 refugee children in Lebanon and 8,450 in Jordan to go to school. The aim is to alleviate the impact of the Syrian crisis on the most vulnerable refugee children and their families as well as the host communities in Lebanon and Jordan. Because going back to school means going ‘back to the future’.

Activities of "Back to the Future' for refugee children?

The project's activities are multiple:

• Basic education

• Early childhood development programs

• Basic literacy and numeracy activities; many children have learning disabilities because they have missed one or more years of schooling.

• Foreign language courses – English and French (in Lebanon) to prepare children for education; Education in Lebanon is in English and French, while teaching in Syria is in Arabic.

• Learning and homework support

• Psycho-social support (PSS) activities for children, adolescents and their caregivers

• Repair and renovation of school facilities

As part of the project various school facilities will be renovated to prepare them for the activities. Another important element for the success of the project is the school transport offered to the children, allowing a higher number of children to attend the school courses.

Approach

In Lebanon the Consortium works through a comprehensive, flexible and responsive approach built around RACE II (Reaching All Children with Education Initiative) and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) to support formal and non-formal activities for preschool and school aged boys and girls.

Program partners

EU (Regional Madad Trust Fund)

AVSI

Terre des Hommes Italy

Terre des Hommes Netherlands

War Child Holland

Find out more: www.back-to-the-future.org

EWTN Report:

Jordan. Back To The Future - SUB Ita

Lebanon. Back To The Future - SUB Ita

Press Review:

• La Stampa 14th march 2018, by E. Tagliani: "La storia di Sahar, sette anni, una vita in fuga dalla guerra"
• AgenSIR 2nd may 2018, by D. Rocchi: "Siria, dopo Bruxelles. Avsi: 'Siamo ancora in emergenza, non si parla di ricostruzione'"
• OnuItalia.com 2nd october 2017, by A. Baldini: "AVSI e Terre des Hommes: parte progetto “Back to the Future” per bambini siriani in Libano"
• La Repubblica (edizione di Milano) 8th november 2018, by S. Bernacchia: "La voce dei bimbi siriani arriva su Skype 'La vita prima della guerra era felice'"
• The Guardian 13th november 2018, by A. Hall e H. Summers: "Syrian refugee children enjoy a new start at school – in pictures" (gallery fotografica)
• Vita 23rd november 2018, by L. Castelli: "Il Sostegno a Distanza? Fondamentale per costruzione interventi integrati per i minori"
• Rai Radio 3 Mondo 25th december 2018, by R. Zichitella: "Ritorno al futuro per i profughi siriani"
• EWTN Vatican 30th december 2018: "Schools that help Syrian Refugee Children in Jordan and Lebanon"
• ACI Stampa 8th january 2019, by A. Gagliarducci: "Libano, un progetto per i bambini rifugiati perché riprendano in mano il futuro"
• Famiglia Cristiana 13th january 2019, by R. Zichitella: "Ritorno al futuro per i piccoli siriani"
• Il Venerdì (la Repubblica) 22nd february 2019, by F. Caferri: "Perduti a chi? I bambini siriani sono a scuola"
• The Huffington Post 25th june 2019, by F. Piccinni: “Quando mamma mi disse che sarei potuta andare a scuola, ho pianto per la felicità”