The Lost Generation

Muzoon Almellehan poses for a photo with her friend, Malala Yousafzai.
Muzoon Almellehan poses for a photo with her friend, Malala Yousafzai.

One of the most pressing problems in today’s world is the refugee crisis in the Middle East. All over the news we see images and headlines about the migrants entering Europe, leaving Middle Eastern cities facing destruction due to civil war, and in the process. thousands of lives lost.

“It is often difficult to understand this battle partly because of the many different fighters…”

Among the poor and downtrodden, there are children who have been orphaned and lost access to quality care and education. Children who are meant to be the future of the world are now forced to work so that their families can get by. According to human rights activist Malala Yousafzai, without a quality education, they could risk becoming “a lost generation.”

Yet to understand the nature of this situation, we have to go back to the root of the cause.

In March of 2011, pro-democracy protests broke out in Syria after a group of teenagers were arrested for painting revolutionary slogans on a school wall. After the police opened fire on the protesters, more took to the streets and demanded President Assad’s resignation. These small demonstrations grew into violent conflicts and the country soon “descended into civil war,” according to the BBC.

It is often difficult to understand this battle partly because of the many different fighters: the Syrian government. Free Syria Party, Iran, Turkey, Russia and the United States. However, it seems the most important aspect to focus on should be the well-being of the families who are caught up in the violence and doing all they can to escape the violence. Frequently, the ones to suffer are the children who risk losing their parents, their homes, and their lives due to the dangerous journey just trying to escape.

Muzoon Almellehan was one of these children. She and her family moved countless times, from Syria to Jordan, to Canada and, finally, to Newcastle in the UK. The family was “one of nine welcomed by Newcastle city council officials at the airport as part of the first tranche of 1,000 Syrians resettled nationwide,”  writes The Guardian. At one of the refugee camps, Muzoon met Malala Yousafzai. The two girls bonded in their goals of encouraging the education of young girls. Now, in the UK, Muzoon is continuing her studies in hopes to become a journalist. “I want to go back to rebuild Syria. It will need doctors, engineers, lawyers and journalists to make this happen, not ignorant people who have lost hope,” says Muzoon, according to The Guardian.

Muzoon is not the only refugee with talent.

naziaarticlepicture2
(From left to right) Mohamed, Abdulrahman, and Samir are the stars of the film Straight Outta Syria. They are among the millions of people displaced and struggling to get by.

Samir, Abdulrahman and Mohamed are brothers who have the gift of rhyme. They are recognized in the film Straight Outta Syria for their amazing talent. The family fled their home in Aleppo, Syria in 2012 and have been relocated to Lebanon. The brothers attend a learning center run by Sonbola, an education initiative working to educate Syrian refugee children. It was at the learning center that their talent was discovered. The boys use rap as a medium for expressing their feelings. The film Straight Outta Syria was presented as a part of the #UpForSchool campaign. It calls on the international community to provide support for the Hope for Syria’s Young Talent petition which would ensure education for the millions of refugee children in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon. “I feel extremely happy and encouraged when I rap to people. I feel I am spreading happiness in the hearts of the children, especially when they imitate me,” says one brother, Abdulrahman.

  “I had an uncle who got kidnapped…it was near death.”

There are millions of other children like Muzoon, Samir, Abdulrahman, and Mohamed. They have the potential of being world leaders, doctors, artists, and teachers. If they are not given the chance to hone their skills through education, how can they ever hope to fulfill their potential? Currently, only 37% of the financial aid required for schools and teachers has been provided. $1.4 billion a year is needed to achieve the goal of providing quality education. Humanitarian groups, such as UNHCR and Amnesty International, are already working on this issue but the support of the general public would bring these children a step closer to reaching their goal.

So, what can we here in America, in Bergen County, at BCA, do?

naziaarticlepicture3
A young girl who dreams of being a doctor poses for a photo.

One of the easiest ways to help is by contacting our state representatives about this issue. This can be through writing letters, emailing, or making phone calls to the senators and representatives. Donations, whether it be money or other essential supplies, are always a good idea. Check out Amnesty International or UNHCR.

If you can’t contact your representatives or donate, don’t fret. Spread this message and inform others around you. The more people are aware about this crisis, the more they can show their support for the refugees. Nowadays, information is spread instantaneously through social media, so use that to your advantage.

BCA has not remained silent. Clubs, such as MERACL (Middle Eastern Relief And Care Liaison), have spoken out and taken action for the refugees. MERACL has even made a banner with the slogan “Refugees Welcome” and signatures of students and teachers who are showing their support.

“It’s a problem that needs attention right now,” said fellow MERACL Co-President Tamanna Sarowar. “We need to raise awareness.”

Another BCA student, Layla Alshameh, recounted her own experiences. “I had an uncle who got kidnapped…he was near death. When they found him…he was barely alive,” she said.

“What is something that you would say to those in Syria right now?” she was asked.

“I would say, that I hope it ends soon. I really miss it. It just breaks my heart. I want to go visit soon.”

Yet if we all work together, we can ensure a safer future for these children. One day, they may cure cancer, invent something new, or bring peace to their countries. We can give them their best chance.

References:

  • “Watch Syria’s Young Talent: Refugee Rappers Show Potential of Every Child | A World At School.” Watch Syria’s Young Talent: Refugee Rappers Show Potential of Every Child | A World At School. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.
  • “Understanding Syria: From Pre-Civil War to Post-Assad.” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company. Web. 20 Feb. 2016. <http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/12/understanding-syria-from-pre-civil-war-to-post-assad/281989/>.
  • “Syria: The Story of the Conflict – BBC News.” BBC News. Web. 20 Feb. 2016. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868>.
  • “Malala Yousafzai Warns of Education Gap for Syrian Refugees – BBC News.” BBC News. Web. 20 Feb. 2016. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35426230>.