For Sara, a young Syrian girl enrolled in Kindergarten 3 at JRS’s FVDL School in Bourj Hammoud, starting school was anything but easy.

It was her first experience in a classroom, and being separated from her family filled her with fear and anxiety. Every morning, she cried, screamed, clung to her mother, and tried to follow her when it was time to say goodbye. Once inside the classroom, Sara found it difficult to settle. She refused to sit in her place, threw objects, and resisted participating in classroom activities. To her, school was an unfamiliar and overwhelming environment.

Recognizing that Sara needed more than time to adjust, the JRS multidisciplinary team—including her teachers, social worker, and psychologist, worked together to support her. They met regularly with her parents to better understand her needs and developed a personalized approach that combined emotional support, counseling, and classroom strategies to help her feel safe, valued, and accepted.

A key part of this approach was gradually increasing Sara’s time at school. She initially attended for only part of the day, with her schedule extended little by little as her confidence grew. This gentle transition allowed her to adapt at her own pace while building trust in her teachers and classmates.

Over time, Sara’s transformation became evident. She began participating in classroom activities, formed friendships, enjoyed playing with her peers, and followed daily routines with confidence. As her sense of security grew, so did her enthusiasm for learning, leading to noticeable academic progress. Her parents also observed positive changes at home, where she became calmer, more independent, and eager to share what she had learned each day.

Today, Sara is a confident and engaged student who looks forward to coming to school each morning. Her journey is a testament to the power of compassionate education, family collaboration, and psychosocial support. It reminds us that when children are surrounded by patience, understanding, and care, they can overcome fear, discover their potential, and flourish.