Introducing Amala High School Diploma Student: Hanan
Hanan is originally from Iraq. She arrived in Jordan in 2014 and started attending a local school in 2015. However, Hanan faced difficulties adjusting to all the changes, leading her to leave school. In 2019, Hanan rejoined school. While being over the age of 18 prevented her from formally attending school, Hanan persevered and was able to complete her basic education in Jordan. However, due to her refugee status and age, her chances of going on to access any formal or informal secondary education programme were slim.
Still hopeful, Hanan enrolled in several online and in-person courses that she believed would better prepare her for any future opportunities. Hanan took several short courses, such as an ICT course offered by the international organisation ICDL, and English classes at a local organisation, JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service). The JRS was also where she learned about the Amala High School Diploma Programme (AHSDP). She was attracted to the AHSDP because it accepts a broader age range of learners and was designed specifically for refugee youth and their host communities.
Hanan has enjoyed the start of the AHSDP. She feels she is making “more connections” between what she is learning and is, in turn, becoming more confident in her ideas. Hanan also believes the tasks in class have not only given her opportunities to practise managing her time, researching, and planning, but they have also encouraged her to think more creatively. For instance, she recently came up with the idea to create and share videos to raise awareness about environmental issues. Through the AHSDP, she has become more aware of these environmental issues and would like to share what she has learned with others.
Hanan also wishes to teach others to draw. Creating art has always kept her hopeful, and she hopes to enable others to “see the beauty in the world” even when experiencing difficult times. Hanan particularly enjoys creating “expressionistic, abstract and realistic drawings”. She also loves playing the piano, writing, swimming, and playing basketball.
Hanan, thank you for sharing your story with the Amala community. The Amala team are excited to see what comes next!
On our blog, we will continue to highlight more of our pioneering Diploma Programme students and their thoughts on the programme so far. In case you missed it, read about Mohammad A., another of our pioneering students here.
