Back in November 2025, I had the privilege of visiting SAWA School, in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, one of the projects that Action Syria supports. At the school – run by local partner SAWA for Development and Aid – over 80 Syrian refugee children are receiving the education they need for brighter futures, beyond conflict and displacement. Without this provision, made possible by the generosity of Action Syria’s supporters, many of the children would be out of school. Having volunteered with Action Syria for a year and a half, I was delighted to see the powerful and essential work that SAWA do firsthand.
After a bus ride from Beirut to the Bekaa Valley, and a quick stop at one of SAWA’s other projects, I arrived at SAWA School where I was warmly welcomed by staff and students. Touring the classrooms enabled me to get a glimpse into the daily life of the school: Grade 1 were learning counting in Arabic; Grade 3 were practicing the sounds of the Arabic alphabet (good practice for me too!); and Grade 4 were learning English, using balloons and games to make the learning interactive. In each class, the children were full of enthusiasm. I couldn’t help beaming at their delight and excitement about learning! I also joined two classes for PE, with the younger class racing in teams and the older class taking part in a penalty shoot-out. For many of the kids, PE is a favourite class – a chance for them to run around, practice teamwork and just enjoy being children.
In Lebanon, only 44% of displaced Syrian children are in school, with finances and lack of paperwork being just some of the factors making access to education difficult. But, SAWA are committed to providing a well-rounded, comprehensive education for the students, supporting them academically as well as developing their life skills and providing psychosocial support. The staff, many of whom are Syrian, are deeply committed to their work. One teacher explained to me that as they are in the same situation as the parents of the children, they feel a deep connection to and care for the children. The team are endlessly proud of their students and the way they’ve grown over the years.
For the children at SAWA School, life in the Bekaa Valley is mired with uncertainty and significant challenges. Though many families have returned to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, this feels out of reach for many others, who remain because of work or because the cost of returning to Syria is too high. Even if they can afford the journey, many homes have been reduced to rubble.
For those who remain in the Bekaa, options for work are extremely limited and many families struggle to make ends meet. Fuel and rent are expensive, and many Syrian families live in inadequate shelters vulnerable to collapse under heavy snow and with very little heating. Compounding the challenges has been this year’s drought in Lebanon.
In these circumstances the school is an essential lifeline for the children. Each classroom is warm and bright, and the school bus – funded by the generosity of Action Syria’s supporters – ensures the children can get to and from school safely each day. Through the school’s psychosocial programme, staff are trained to recognise and refer children for support, and there is a dedicated welfare officer providing one-to-one sessions and group classes.
For me, the undisputed highlight of my visit was during recess: I had conversations with curious children keen to share their names and practice English, before the whole school gathered together, jumping and clapping before shouting at the top of their lungs “Thank you!” and “Sawa!”.
There are no words for such genuine delight about being able to learn. 80 smiling faces told me that all the work Action Syria has done in support of this school has been absolutely invaluable – the school is making a tangible difference to the lives of each child. Action Syria’s supporters should be filled with immense pride – none of this would be possible without your support – thank you!
About the author
Saami is a British Syrian writer with a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bath. He specialises in international security, Middle Eastern politics and international migration. He has worked with charities in the UK, Greece, and Lebanon.
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