LEBANON / SYRIAN STUDENTS

At their school in Syria, Sara and Taqla were the top students. The war which engulfed their hometown of Maaloulah forced the sisters to flee to Lebanon four years ago. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:55
• Production Date: 1 August 2017
• Asset Language: Arabic
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: EDUCATION; REFUGEES
• Geographic Subject: LEBANON; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 1942738
• Parent Id: 1942738
• Alternate Title: unifeed170801a

Description

STORY: LEBANON / SYRIAN STUDENTS
TRT: 02:55
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / NATS

DATELINE: 23 MAY 2017, ZALKA, LEBANON

Shotlist

23 MAY 2017, ZALKA, LEBANON

1. Various shots, Taqla studying in stairway
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Taqla Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“Four years ago the war started in Syria. We were displaced from our town, Maaloulah, and came here.”
3. Various shots, Taqla and Sara studying in stairway
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sara Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“They tell me ‘give us your brain so we can pass our exams’. I feel very happy when people tell me that I’m very bright. Some of them even call me Einstein.”
5. Wide shot, Taqla and Sara walking into school
6. Med shot, Taqla and Sara walking into school
7. Med shot, Taqla and Sara with friends in schoolyard
8. Wide shot, Taqla and Sara with friends in schoolyard
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rita Boyajian, Principal, Armenian Catholic Holy Cross School:
“They were able to integrate with us. And in a very short time, not only did they manage to pass, but received very high grades. They became among our top students, in their class and in the school as a whole.”
10. Wide shot, classroom through glass
11. Med shot, Taqla responding to teacher’s question
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rita Boyajian, Principal, Armenian Catholic Holy Cross School:
“They know the Aramaic language, the language of Christ. They know this language because it was spoken in Maaloulah. It is our honour that they learned Armenian too.”
13. Various shots, Sara receiving Armenian lesson in class
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Taqla Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“The Armenian language added to my knowledge. I learned about the Armenian people in general. I learned a lot from them: solidarity, strength and determination. They have will and determination because they went through a similar experience and they were forced to flee their home years ago.”
15. Various shots, teacher explaining lesson
16. Close up, Taqla in class
17. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Taqla Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“I would like to tell everyone listening to this, especially students, that school is everything and despite the problems and difficulties you may face, you have to be stronger than them. Don’t ever give up. Face everything, because you are the only ones who will build your own future.”
18. Various shots, Taqla in class
19. Close up, Sara studying

Storyline

At their school in Syria, Sara and Taqla were the top students. The war which engulfed their hometown of Maaloulah forced the sisters to flee to Lebanon four years ago.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Taqla Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“Four years ago the war started in Syria. We were displaced from our town, Maaloulah, and came here.”

To help further their education here, a Lebanese citizen offered to pay the tuition fees at a private school so these exception students don’t miss out on the education they deserve.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sara Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“They tell me ‘give us your brain so we can pass our exams’. I feel very happy when people tell me that I’m very bright. Some of them even call me Einstein.”

Within just one year, Sara, 14, and Taqla, 12, have become the top students at the Armenian Catholic Holy Cross school.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rita Boyajian, Principal, Armenian Catholic Holy Cross School:
“They were able to integrate with us. And in a very short time, not only did they manage to pass, but received very high grades. They became among our top students, in their class and in the school as a whole.”

Back home, Sara and Taqla knew only a few words of English. At this school, this has drastically changed.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rita Boyajian, Principal, Armenian Catholic Holy Cross School:
“They know the Aramaic language, the language of Christ. They know this language because it was spoken in Maaloulah. It is our honour that they learned Armenian too.”

The school has also exposed them to Armenian history and the plight that community had faced.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Taqla Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“The Armenian language added to my knowledge. I learned about the Armenian people in general. I learned a lot from them: solidarity, strength and determination. They have will and determination because they went through a similar experience and they were forced to flee their home years ago.”

Taqla said she want to grow up to be a civil engineer to go back and rebuild her town. The sisters are hoping to find a sponsor so they can continue their education and go to one of the top universities in Lebanon. At fourteen, Taqla has some wise advice for those facing difficulties.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Taqla Kalloumeh, Syrian refugee:
“I would like to tell everyone listening to this, especially students, that school is everything and despite the problems and difficulties you may face, you have to be stronger than them. Don’t ever give up. Face everything, because you are the only ones who will build your own future.”