Education Syrian Arab Republic Project #57694

Send a Child in Aleppo to School for a Year

by Crete For Life

Send a Child in Aleppo to School for a Year

Project Report | Feb 24, 2026
Five Years Later, M. is Finally Back in Class

By Olimpia Theodoli | Project Manager

The Future of Syria

For five years, M.'s "classroom" was the reality of war and the struggle to help his injured father. At 12 years old, he feared the door to an education had closed forever.

Because of you, that door just swung wide open.

Thanks to your support, M. is now one of the students enrolled in our Accelerated Learning Program in Aleppo. This specialised curriculum allows children who lost years of schooling to complete two academic years in one.

The First Win: Beyond the Backpack With the initial funds raised, we didn't just buy notebooks. We secured a safe learning space and the specific materials required for this intensive catch-up program. But education in a crisis zone isn't a one-time event; it’s a daily commitment.

The Reality of the "Gap" A child can’t "catch up" in a month. For students like M.—and others like A., who dreams of being a doctor—the biggest threat isn't a lack of talent; it's the uncertainty of next month. If the funding stops, their seat in the classroom disappears.

Become a "Future-Builder". To keep M. and A. in their seats until they graduates, we need sustainable, predictable support.

A monthly donation of €25 ensures a child has a desk, a teacher, and a future every single month.

Your consistency is what turns a "hope" into a "diploma".

Thank you for staying with us.

With gratitude,

The Crete For Life Team

A. who is determined to become a doctor

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Nov 4, 2025
Transforming Lives: Education, Resilience & Hope

By Olimpia Theodoli | Project Manager

we are proud of our students!

Dear Donor,

Your investment in our education project is transforming lives and unlocking potential despite overwhelming odds. We want to share the powerful story of Fatima (born 2008), a young woman who has endured war, displacement, poverty, and the additional challenge of having illiterate parents. Despite this harsh reality, Fatima shows remarkable resilience and dedication.

Thanks to your support providing essential educational assistance and dedicated tutoring, her life is changing.The effect has been immediate and profound: Fatima is now achieving top marks in her class, her self-esteem has soared, and she is giving back by helping neighbourhood children with their lessons.

Fatima is one of the 198 students (aged 12 to 24) we are currently supporting, focusing specifically on school retention—a vital investment, particularly in girls' education, which boosts future earnings and community growth. With the new school year underway in September, we launched a successful model engaging local university students as paid tutors. This "win-win" approach ensures our younger students receive high-quality academic help while providing essential income to our university student volunteers.

While the region continues to suffer from years of instability, financial strain, and punishing sanctions, our local team remains resilient and organised, ensuring every dollar addresses the most pressing needs—from securing a home to funding a child’s education.

The consistency of this work relies entirely on the steady commitment of our donors. Our group of monthly donors made the critical difference this reporting period, providing the reliable funds that are essential for long-term planning and sustaining educational programmes. Your generosity directly replicates Fatima's success: it costs just €10 to cover a student's monthly transport to school and €46 for one month of quality tutoring. For about €60 a month, you can sponsor a child's complete educational support.

As we approach Giving Tuesday, we urge you to consider becoming a dedicated monthly donor today and help us unlock the potential for more courageous and resilient children like Fatima.

With gratitude,

Olimpia Theodoli

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See your donations at work and get the last update

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Jul 11, 2025
Giving Hope: Education for Aleppo's Children

By Olimpia Theodoli | Project Manager

3 children going to school, 1 working Aleppo

Hi friends,

We wanted to share an update on our incredible "Send a Child in Aleppo to School for a Year" program! Thanks to your amazing generosity, we're making a real difference in the lives of children in Aleppo, Syria, a city still recovering from so much hardship.

Aleppo has been through over a decade of war, sanctions, and economic challenges. Today, over 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line. Even though public education is technically free, things like transportation, books, materials, and extra lessons are huge hurdles for families. Millions of kids have missed out on school, and illiteracy affects over half the population.

Making a Real Difference

Education is truly the key to a brighter future for these kids, offering them a safe place and a reason not to leave their homes. It's about opening doors and giving them hope. For instance, imagine a child who, just a few months ago, couldn't read and is now confidently tackling their lessons, dreaming of becoming a doctor or an engineer! This project helps prevent indoctrination and ensures both boys and girls have equal opportunities, including vital digital literacy and foreign language skills. Every child we support gets a chance to build a peaceful, brighter future. The opportunity to study can be a powerful motivation not to emigrate, keeping families and communities together.

Challenges and Our Path Forward

Despite our successes, the challenges are immense. The ongoing economic crisis means families struggle more than ever, and securing consistent funding for all their educational needs remains a constant effort. Our future plans are simple but powerful: we want to keep expanding our reach, supporting even more children and young adults through scholarships, ensuring they don't fall through the cracks. Our dream is to create a generation of educated, hopeful young Syrians ready to rebuild their country.

That's where you come in! Our project focuses on supporting 50 disadvantaged girls and boys aged 6 to 18, ensuring they get the literacy and quality education they deserve. We cover essential costs like transportation, extra tuition, and exam fees. We also mentor older students (15-18) to help them get into university and even support university students to complete their degrees. We work hand in hand with the Blue Marists, who have been on the ground in Aleppo for decades, helping children of all backgrounds and religions.

Your Gift, Their Future: A Call to Action

Your support is already changing lives, and we couldn't do this without you. To ensure these children have continuous access to education and a stable future, we're asking you to consider becoming a monthly donor.

A monthly gift of just €10 can cover a child's transportation for a whole month.
€40 a month can provide a teenager with crucial extra tuition.
€80 a month can allow four students to learn a foreign language to improve their chances of employment

Consistent monthly donations allow us to plan better and provide uninterrupted support. It's an investment in hope, stability, and peace.

Ready to make a lasting impact?

Thank you for being a part of this vital mission. Together, we are building a brighter tomorrow for Aleppo's children.

Warmly,

The Crete For Life Team

Children we can help to go to school

Studying and making friends

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