Saif Al Sharaa’s journey started when he and his wife sought refuge in Jordan in 2013. The couple rented a modest apartment from a friend in Irbid and within three days, Saif found work in a local café.
Saif began to explore avenues to continue his education in Jordan.
In Syria, Saif had successfully completed his Tawjihi (general secondary education certificate examination) but had not pursued any further studies. He heard about some scholarships being offered to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanian youth.
In support of the Government of Jordan’s Response Plan for the Syria Crisis, the UNESCO Amman office, with generous funding from the Government of South Korea, is implementing the “Provision of TVET for Vulnerable Jordanian and Syrian Refugee Youth” project. Through the project, UNESCO supports youth to receive quality training programmes as a way of creating employment. The project is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular, Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning.
Saif applied to the BTEC level 3 qualification in civil engineering programme and began his studies in 2015, earning his diploma the following year.
“During the day, I would work in the café whenever I was not at school, and in the evenings I would study. After receiving the civil engineering diploma, I became interested in the business management programme. I applied for this scholarship and was accepted,” Saif said.
The café where Saif had been employedwent up for sale. Saif saw a chance to achieve his dream; together with his brother, he approached the owner of the café and collected all the money that they had saved. The owner accepted their offer and the brothers set about making the place their own.
“We undertook a big renovation in an effort to make the café a more open and friendly place. In honour of the place where I have been studying, we decided to re-name the café ‘Luminus’.”
Saif added that some members of the community had a difficult time accepting that the café had been sold to Syrians and voiced their resentment.
