Success Story: Zeina Al-Majdalawi

Zeina Al-Majdalawi is a remarkable child with a big heart and an early story of resilience. In her early years, she faced a serious health incident: her brother accidentally drank medication meant for a cancer patient. This incident directly affected Zeina’s cognitive development and learning abilities, making her need special educational support. Although she was supposed to be in third grade, her academic level was closer to first grade—she could only write the letter “B.”

Her mother requested to place her in a lower-grade class to help her cope, but that wasn’t an option. The hardest decision was to enroll her in third grade, with a heartfelt promise from the teacher: "I will take care of her as if she were in her real grade." At first, Zeina was scared—scared of the classroom, the teacher, her classmates, and the laughter that might hurt her.

She would come with her mother during the first two days, holding her hand as if holding onto safety itself. But with care, kind words, and psychological and emotional support, her fear gradually faded. The classroom transformed from a place of fear into a safe space. Zeina began to enjoy coming to class. She started coming on her own, then even arrived an hour or two early, quietly peeking in and asking, "Has the lesson started yet?" When told, “Not yet,” she would wait patiently, as if not wanting to miss a single moment.

She was guided according to her abilities, without pressure or comparison, given small, manageable tasks, and encouraged to take small but steady steps. With every smile, every word of encouragement, Zeina gained confidence. She began to feel accepted, capable, and loved. Zeina’s story is not just about learning—it’s a story of patience, care, and the belief that every child deserves a chance, no matter how difficult their start.