Key Achievements of the Project

1. Rehabilitation of School Facilities With funding from the Czech Republic, ADRA has restored two floors of a previously damaged school building, including 32 classrooms and 2 administrative rooms. This comprehensive rehabilitation involved fixing structural damages, repainting, and replacing doors, windows, and heating systems. WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities were also upgraded, with repaired taps and safe, clean, gender-appropriate toilets suitable for children with disabilities.
2. Distribution of School Kits and Supplies To alleviate the financial strain on families, ADRA, supported by the Czech Republic, distributed 435 school kits to students in both the rehabilitated school and the neighboring school. These kits included essential items such as school bags, pens, pencils, geometry sets, and erasers, ensuring students have the tools they need for a successful learning experience.
3. Teacher Capacity Building Acknowledging the need for trained educators, ADRA organized an intensive five-day training program for 73 teachers from the rehabilitated school and neighboring institutions. The training covered critical topics like psychological and psychosocial support, sign language, and techniques for communicating with children with disabilities.

Long-term Impact and Beneficiaries

The project primarily benefits children with disabilities, particularly those with hearing and speech impairments, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years (from kindergarten through high school). Thanks to the renovations, 232 students now have access to a safe and supportive educational environment, with additional space to accommodate 118 more students in need of specialized services. Moreover, 57 of the most vulnerable students have received hearing aids or other assistive devices, carefully selected based on assessments of their individual needs and household circumstances.

The neighboring school, which temporarily hosted some students during the rehabilitation process, also benefits indirectly by regaining classroom space, thereby enhancing the learning environment for its own students.

Empowering Teachers for Lasting Change A total of 80 teachers across both schools received specialized training, enabling them to meet the educational and psychosocial needs of children with disabilities.

This project, made possible through the Czech Republic’s Humanitarian Aid Program and facilitated by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Damascus, showcases a strong commitment to educational inclusivity in Syria. By improving infrastructure, supplying necessary educational materials, and enhancing teacher skills, the Czech Republic and ADRA have created a sustainable foundation for inclusive education. This support ensures that children with disabilities in Syria have the resources they need to thrive academically and socially, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.