Inspiring Amala Alumni Stories: Fatima Abualenein

We are thrilled to be sharing the second inspiring alumni story this week as part of our Amala Alumni Series. The second alumna to be interviewed is Jordanian-Palestinian 21-year-old, Fatima Abualenein. Fatima completed the Peacebuilding in your Community course in Amman, Jordan in 2019 and has since gone on to become a facilitator for the Amala High School Diploma Programme. In between her busy schedule, we sat down one evening and enjoyed a chat about Fatima’s journey from student to Amala facilitator.  

What have you been doing since you completed the course with Amala? 

Since completing the course, I’ve become a facilitator for Amala Education in Amman and I’ve set up and organised a community club at my university. The idea of the club came from my graduation project at the end of the Peacebuilding course. I arrange discussion sessions where we talk about the issues that we face as the younger generation, such as discrimination, violence, and other issues. It’s for students that don’t have somewhere to talk. 

Can you tell me about your journey from Amala student to facilitator - what inspired your decision? 

I enjoy looking back at the transition. It all started with the facilitator on my Peacebuilding course who would always tell me that I was very active and engaged in the classroom. They suggested that I would be a good Facilitator. I knew I could do the work and would find it interesting, so after some encouragement from my friends on the course I applied. I was thrilled when I was accepted. 

Are you enjoying your facilitator role?  

I really enjoy the facilitator role as it is different to just teaching. With teaching you mainly focus on passing on the information without having the students develop their skills. It’s like in school or university where you memorise information. Whereas being a facilitator is all about helping the students discover their skills and developing their personalities into the best versions of themselves. So yes, I’m enjoying my experience very much, as I feel like I can see the difference in the students as they develop. I feel like that’s my mission to accomplish. 

How do you feel Amala has helped you with what you have done since the course? 

There are so many skills that I’ve learnt directly from the course. We learnt how to accept each other for who we are no matter how another person is different from us. We learnt how to keep ourselves in the debate by continually talking about the relevant subjects, as well as developing other skills that have helped me communicate. The skills I learnt have helped me with my facilitator role as we have regular debates with the students.

Are there ways that Amala changed you? E.g. In your mindset, thinking, actions towards others? 

Amala has taught me a lot, before the course I was not used to meeting new people. During the course I met people from Iraq, Sudan, Somalia and from so many different countries that I have never met anyone from before. It was a great experience to grow from, as I learnt to understand different perspectives and different types of people. 

What are your aspirations for the future? 

I would like to continue to grow under the Amala umbrella and as part of its community. With all of the programmes and courses that Amala Education are putting in place, I believe that we can make a change, not necessarily to everyone, but we can help many people from the local community to look at opportunities and encourage them. I’ve been inspired by Amala, from being a student myself to now debating issues that I learn with new students. My friend Muhamad was also a student who has now become a facilitator for the new diploma programme. It’s like a chain, in which every student can change themselves and then help others. 

Have you kept in touch with any of your fellow classmates? 

Yes, I’m still in touch with some of my classmates. We’re very good friends and it’s important to have people you can discuss issues with. 

What would your advice be for other young refugees?  

My advice would be to never give up, keep looking for opportunities and you’ll find them. There are many paths in life and each person has their own, so just keep believing in yours and keep working hard to reach your goals and find the opportunities you deserve. 

Thank you so much for your time Fatima, do you have any final words you wish to share?

I just want to say I’m so thankful that I was able to join the Amala community, first as a student and now as a facilitator. I really enjoy being a part of Amala and I feel like I’m doing something helpful in the world, so I’m just so grateful that my path has led me here.

Read more about the Amala High School Diploma Programme in Jordan that Fatima is helping to facilitate here. And, in case you missed it, check out our first Inspiring Alumni Series article about Peace-building alumnus, Sura from Iraq here!