Under the difficult economic conditions experienced by Lebanese and Syrians alike, particularly in the northern Lebanese town of Akkar, and because of the excessive price of stationery due to the high exchange rate of the US dollar, it has become difficult for parents to purchase school-related items including stationery and others.
In this context, in a distinctive initiative supported by American donors, URDA’s education sector provided stationery and school bags to 1,500 students within the framework of the “Back to School” project.
The project included school bags along with stationery kits to suit the needs of students from grade 1 to grade 6. These basic materials aim to promote positive learning experience for all children and encourage students to continue their education.
Enass, who is a mother of three and a resident in the Minieh refugee camp, says: “Our purchasing power has declined in the face of the current shocking increase in prices. We can no longer afford to buy our basic needs, and it’s hard to buy the stationery for our kids so they can go back to school, but the education sector’s initiative has done us very much and contributed to reducing the financial burdens in this regard. This has had a positive impact on us, specifically on the kids. I am happy to see the smiles on their faces again after almost losing hope of securing stationery. “
For his part, Kassem, a sixth-grader, said: “I was terrified by the idea that my parents could not buy me any stationery for school due to the current high prices. URDA, along with generous American donors have contributed to reducing the burden of our parents during these difficult times, and they have eased the tension that other students and I have felt. “
