How young Syrians in Türkiye are building strong futures

That's been the case for Nada and Mohammed, two young Syrians living in Türkiye who received support through the Concern Community Centre in Saliurfa province. Concern works in Türkiye to assist Syrian refugees through access to education and livelihoods programmes. 

We caught up with Nada and Mohammed to learn how the community centre has made a difference in their lives and supported their education journeys.  

Nada, 19, wanted to attend school online to finish her studies, but the registration process was difficult to navigate. That’s when she learned of the Concern Community Centre. 

“I remember when I first met Dalal from Concern. She approached me calmly and asked if she could help me in any way. I must have looked lost with all the papers and folders in my hand, wandering around in the Provincial Directorate of National Education,” Nada says. 

Dalal, Concern's Livelihoods Assistant, invited Nada and her family to the community centre to help her enrol in online classes and learn more about what options were available to her.  

Nada came to Türkiye with her family 10 years ago, attending a school for Syrian children. After the Covid pandemic, she began at a new school for both Turkish and Syrian students. Unfortunately, her Turkish was not strong enough to speak to her classmates, and she felt shy. She began skipping classes to be with her Syrian friends, and eventually dropped out. 

“My family was concerned, and I had lost track of classes and could not follow. My language skills were still not up to par,” Nada recalls.  

Today, she is in her final year of secondary school and able to learn online full-time. She regularly attends the youth activities offered through the community centre.  

“The community centre is bliss for me and my parents like it, too,” Nada says. “Here, I made friends who motivate me to study, and we have the opportunity to socialise and learn from each other. This place is a confidence-booster for me.” 

Nada would like to become a doctor, and shares this goal with her best friend, who she met in the community centre. The two encourage one another to study hard and work towards their dream. 

“I cannot and do not want to think of how my life would be if Dalal had not approached me that day, if I would not be able to finish my school,” Nada says. "I am working hard to use this opportunity to the fullest, to be successful in this country, and build a happy life.” 

Mohammed, 17, joined Concern’s apprenticeship programme two months ago after being introduced to Concern through a family friend.  

Dilsah, Concern’s Livelihoods Assistant, met Mohammed at the community centre and helped him select an apprenticeship that fit his interests. He is now training in electrics and works with the local government’s vocational and education centre. 

“We had three heaters at home which needed repair. My supervisor taught me how to do it when he visited us, and I fixed them at my own home. It was a proud moment for me, my family and for him,” Mohammed says.  

Mohammed has lived in Türkiye since he was seven, after his family fled the conflict in Syria. Through Concern’s apprenticeship programme, Syrian youth have the opportunity complete secondary school while also gaining work experience and skills. Students will spend one or two days a week at school, and the following days at their workplace.  

At the end of four years, students receive both their school diploma and an authorization to work in their field of interest. All students who are part of the apprenticeship receive a salary.  

“My sister is still young, but when she finishes middle school, I will advise her to do an on-the-job training just like me with Concern,” Mohammed says. 

For now, Mohammed is shadowing the experts at his workplace, familiarising himself with the tools and learning how to use them safely. Once he has been on his apprenticeship for longer, he will have his own tasks to work on.  

Mohammed wants to attend college once he finishes secondary school, and study electrical engineering.