An interview with Rama about volunteering, starting a business, and the impact of an Amala education
A Syrian refugee, Rama arrived in Jordan in 2012 with her family and, along with her sister, joined Amala to finish her secondary education. Driven by a strong sense of social responsibility Rama has dedicated herself to improving others’ quality of life. This is evident in her many selfless endeavours, from volunteering with the Jordan River Foundation, Amala and the “This is My Life” Association, to her building a project with Horizon aimed at community improvement.
“My experience at Amala was transformative.”
Tell me more about your experience at Amala. How do you feel like it affected/changed you as a person?
Initially, I found it difficult to interact with individuals who were culturally and religiously different from me due to the stereotypes I had internalised growing up. These stereotypes created fear and hesitation when approaching individuals who were different from me. However, as I engaged with my peers and mentors, I began to understand that these stereotypes were baseless and harmful, and over time, I began to change for the better.
“This experience changed my mentality by teaching me the value of empathy, tolerance, and the richness that diversity brings to our lives. It helped me shed my prejudices and become more accepting of others, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.”
Did Amala change your views on education or on what education has the potential to be? How?
Amala definitely changed my views on education. It showed me that education has the potential to be so much more than rote learning and standardised testing. At Amala, education was about personal growth, skill development, and fostering an inclusive and diverse community. It emphasised the importance of individuality and creativity in the learning process, which was a stark departure from the traditional education system I was familiar with.
What kind of skills did you learn in Amala?
Amala’s curriculum has brought about a major change in me as I have become able to work with organisations that serve the community and contribute to making a positive change in society. I learned how to be part of peacebuilding in society, and also how to engage in discussions of the most important problems that arise in society, analysing them, and trying to find solutions. I also learned about the importance of ethical leadership, and how, in viewing leadership as a shared behaviour, we can have a positive impact on our societies. Currently I am gaining the very important skill of presenting.
“My family sensed the positive change that happened to me after studying at Amala.”
How do you feel Amala prepared you for your endeavours after you graduated?
Amala prepared me exceptionally well for my endeavours after graduation. The program not only equipped me with valuable knowledge and skills, and contributed greatly to building my self-confidence, but also instilled in me a strong sense of social responsibility and a passion for making a positive impact on the community. This preparedness allowed me to confidently pursue various projects and opportunities that aligned with my values and goals.
“My feelings cannot be described in words. Amala is not just an educational organisation for me, it is my second home and family and a constant source of inspiration. My post-graduation achievements are a reflection of the support and guidance provided by Amala. I feel very proud to be part of this family and honoured to make a positive change in my life and in society in general.”
Tell me about your Personal Interest Project at Amala.
My Personal Interest Project at Amala was inspired by a desire to promote creativity and entrepreneurship, especially among young people from diverse backgrounds. I believe that by fostering creativity and providing entrepreneurial skills we can empower individuals to create their own opportunities, and address social and economic challenges.
The idea of a candle-making project had been on my mind for a while, as I am good at making candles and I always like to present ideas that are different and creative. I also took training to learn more about candles and spent a period of time making them to gain more experience. The possibility of starting the project became real when, in Amala, I learned how to plan a project and make and present a model of the plan.
Considering that my sister and I have the same experience and we are also in the same cohort at Amala, we planned the project together and distributed the roles between us. We named it R & B candles, and presented the project on the PIP presentation day at Amala; I also made some candles as a sample of my work to be presented that day.
From our presentation we obtained some important feedback to modify it so that we would be able to start with it seriously. After graduation, we applied for funding for the project, and when we submitted the newly modified project proposal we won the third place award and $1000 to start our business! We are now purchasing all the necessities to start the project, and we’ll begin once we have developed the skills of dealing with customers and marketing the project professionally. We’re planning to produce high quality products and I will also provide creative candles in the shapes of sweets, drinks, and even food!
I heard you volunteered at the Jordan River Foundation and at Amala. What kind of work did you at each and what inspired you to volunteer?
Yes, in 2022, I participated in a 5-day camp organised by the Jordan River Foundation. During the camp, I received training on women’s rights and gender-based violence. This experience was eye-opening and inspired me to take action. I became a leader within the team, where my role was to coordinate and facilitate sessions on how to prevent and address women’s rights and gender-based violence through activities and discussions. We targeted adolescents aged 14-17, delivering these sessions in schools, where we successfully reached over 100 students. Our initiative is ongoing, now extended to reach 200 students by the end of the current year. I’d say it went very well, and we had a significant impact among the students.
“In both cases, my inspiration to volunteer stemmed from a deep sense of social responsibility and a strong belief in the importance of education, empowerment, and creating positive social impact, particularly in the areas of gender equality and peacebuilding.”
I volunteered with Amala as a facilitator for a 3-month peacebuilding course, which aimed to empower young people with conflict resolution skills, and encourage them to become active peacebuilders in their communities. The course was profoundly impactful, and it’s one of my favourite courses in Amala. It not only positively influenced the students but also contributed significantly to my own growth and understanding of peace-building within communities.
What inspired me to volunteer with Amala was their mission to foster personal growth, skill development, and social responsibility among young individuals. I wanted to be a part of an organisation that shares these values and actively works towards positive change in society.
Amala helped me develop crucial leadership and communication skills, and instilled a strong sense of social responsibility in me; whilst the Jordan River Foundation allowed me to apply my knowledge about women’s rights and gender-based violence. These experiences collectively enhanced my ability to lead initiatives; work with communities; address pressing social issues; as well as significantly prepared me for my future endeavours.
I would love to hear about any other projects or initiatives you are or were involved in.
I have also been volunteering with “This is My Life” Association since last year, assisting refugees in improving their quality of life. We conducted intensive volunteering activities during Ramadan to help meet their needs. Additionally, we organised clothing distributions for them during Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. We also provided stationery and school supplies and distributed some winter clothing to them.
I am currently working with Luminus College of Technology in the registration department. All the experiences I gained at Amala were instrumental in my personal development and played a significant role in enabling me to secure this job. Additionally, my volunteer work also contributed to my professional growth and helped me in my career endeavours.
I am incredibly proud to have been a part of the Amala family, and I feel immense gratitude for everything Amala has provided me during my educational journey and their continued support even after my graduation.
Do you have any future plans/projects?
To date, I am also planning to apply for funding from Horizon to implement a project aimed at community improvement through a series of courses. The project will span four months, covering art therapy, frisbee, climate and environment, and storytelling, with a different course offered each month. I have experience in these areas, and I will execute the project alongside my sister Batoul, who has been a great source of support and inspiration for me in this endeavour. The storytelling course will be from Amala, as I saw how learning to tell stories had a significant impact on my personal development and skills, and is a powerful tool for building peace within the community and igniting positive social change. We hope to continue to develop it to make it even better and more successful.
Additionally, I have plans to apply for a scholarship to pursue my higher education abroad. I aspire to study and become a criminal investigator, because through my journey at Amala, I discovered a passion for searching for the truth to promote peace within society. My experiences there helped me understand the importance of uncovering facts, seeking justice, and making our communities safer. The pursuit of truth is significant to me because it contributes to creating a just and harmonious society where individuals are treated fairly, and wrongdoing is addressed appropriately. My desire to contribute to a more just world has motivated me to pursue a career in criminal investigation.
Share a message to the world from Amala.
Amala is not just an ordinary educational organisation, but rather a gateway to a world of opportunities and improvement. It allows students to embark on an educational adventure rich in challenges and inspiration. It gives the tools necessary for success in one's personal and professional life. Distinguished education paves the way for a promising future, as it enhances personal development and develops life skills in distinctive ways. It teaches us how to be effective leaders and contributors to society. We learned to listen, think critically, and solve problems.
Rama spoke to Sophia, Amala volunteer.