In recent years, global instability has grown more severe, forcing countless children living in Middle Eastern refugee camps to interrupt their schooling due to war, watching their hopes of transforming their lives gradually fade away.
Quality education, a key pillar of the United Nations SDGs, is not only a basic human right but also a shield for these children against war, child labor, and severe abuse. For them, it represents their only chance—perhaps even a luxury—at a different future.
In war-torn nations such as Syria and Yemen, millions of refugee children long to open a textbook and step into a classroom to fulfill their dreams of learning. In response to this urgent need, a group of compassionate Taiwanese decided to cross borders and launch initiatives supporting refugee education, personally stepping onto the frontlines of conflict.
SSSP: A Transnational Educational Support Project
The Small School Support Project (SSSP) was founded in May 2023 by renowned educator Lara (Tseng Yi-Han), together with several Taiwanese educators, and is currently operated by the Taiwan International Refugee Education Support Association. Grounded in the belief that “Education is the power to change destiny: not only helping people survive, but empowering them to rise again,” they set out to bring this conviction to the Middle East. Beyond providing monthly funding for teacher salaries, student nutrition, and school supplies, they also assist with rebuilding school facilities when necessary, aiming for true educational empowerment.
So far, SSSP has launched six support projects, including small classrooms in Idlib, Syria, as well as two primary schools in the Rukban refugee camp on the Syrian–Jordan–Iraq border. Through these programs, they have secured employment for 30 teachers, benefitted at least 1,568 students, and revitalized 9 supported schools. These transnational efforts not only embody SDG 4: Quality Education, but also echo SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, built through active collaboration with local organizations, volunteers, and communities to strengthen sustainable education.
Education: A Fundamental Right for All Children
Though this large-scale cross-border project is full of challenges, it has resonated deeply with many, enabling the project to genuinely change lives in the Middle East—over 8,000 kilometers away from Taiwan. One of the key drivers behind SSSP is Dina (Kuo Pei-Yi), an educator and also Secretary-General of the Taiwan International Refugee Education Support Association, with years of experience in international education.
When asked about her motivation for committing to refugee education, Dina recalls her firsthand encounter with refugees: “It was in 2021. I witnessed countless tragedies unfolding before my eyes. I saw Syrian women, confined by tradition to stay at home, bravely step out to support their children by sewing broken lives back together. I saw men disabled because of war were supporting one another and caring for their ‘companions in suffering’ even without blood ties.”
For the then-28-year-old Dina, this was an overwhelming shock, but it also ignited an unshakable will to do what she felt must be done. “In their eyes, I saw: as much pain as there is, there is equal resilience; as many tears as there are, there is equal hope; as much brokenness as there is, there is equal love.”
This realization spurred her into action, rooted in the conviction that as long as opportunities for teaching and learning continue, the hope of changing destinies will remain alive.
Growing Together, Moving Forward
Interestingly, the ones transformed by this project are not just the refugees.
On the eve of Eid al-Fitr 2024, the SSSP team delivered real backpacks to 1,400 children in the Rukban refugee camp, replacing the plastic bags they once used. Yet the greatest challenge was not in sourcing the backpacks, but in getting them into the camp. “We went through countless meetings before finalizing an international cooperation plan,” Dina shared. “These 1,400 backpacks were not just school supplies; they symbolized hope, dignity, and new beginnings.”
The process involved fundraising in Taiwan, manufacturing in China, airlift support from Dubai, UAE and Jordan, and finally, delivery by U.S. military helicopters. Passing through many hands and hearts, the backpacks finally reached the children.
“The word refugee is not an insult—it represents vivid lives, stories intertwined with blood and tears,” Dina said emotionally. “People may think I am helping them, but in truth, they have healed me, taught me the value of life, and reminded me of my blessings.”
Through this work, both she and other volunteers have undergone profound transformations.
From Student to Project Manager
Another key member of SSSP is Ibrahim Ayash (Ibo), a 26-year-old Yemeni pursuing computer engineering in Turkey. Although now one of the founding members of SSSP, he never originally planned to build an organization.
Initially, Ibo simply applied for an assistant role via WhatsApp. By chance, this connected him with Lara, SSSP’s founder, and he eventually became part of the core team.
“This journey was magical and never in my plans,” Ibo shared. “But Lara’s trust and encouragement allowed us to begin building something bigger than we had ever imagined.”
At SSSP, Ibo manages educational projects, such as organizing English courses, monthly lectures, and computer and English training programs for both children and adults. These experiences transformed him from a student into a hands-on leader.
“Through interactions with students and partnerships with organizations, I’ve grown more confident, visionary, and responsible,” Ibo said. “Now I’m less concerned with personal achievement and more fulfilled by helping others reach their goals.”
One of his proudest achievements was leading the Rukban refugee camp project: “Despite the region being under military blockade, our team helped over 8 schools keep students learning until the blockade was lifted and families could safely return home. Only when they returned could we consider our mission complete.”
Witnessing Transformation Through Action
Yet behind Ibo’s confident demeanor lie countless struggles. He admits that ensuring educational quality in remote teaching and coordination is not easy. Misaligned expectations between team members and partners often made his role even more challenging.
“This position has tested my communication skills,” Ibo shared. “But through every conversation, internal and external, I grew.”
Reflecting, he added: “My journey itself is a miraculous story: from an inexperienced young man with no academic or project background to an educational leader accountable for others’ learning. This experience has been far richer than any textbook. It is not just a job—it is the testimony of my transformation.”
For the future, Ibo prefers action over rigid plans: “I believe in living in the present, moving forward consciously, not obsessing over outcomes. SSSP will always be part of my mission because it aligns with my belief in helping others grow.”
From Aid to Empowerment: A New Chapter of Sustainability
Now entering its third year, SSSP is actively writing its next chapter. They aim to shift from being mere coordinators of resources to becoming mentors guiding supported students to create impact themselves.
Within three years, SSSP plans to establish a social enterprise together with trained students—transforming aid into self-reliance, empowering refugees to build dignified and autonomous lives through education.
In today’s global village, refugee issues are no longer distant from us. As SSSP demonstrates through action: millions are still waiting for help, and even the smallest contributions can create ripples of peace and hope. By looking into the forgotten corners of the world, offering a hand, and growing together with those in need, we can create meaningful change for a brighter future.
