Whether in school or out of school, refugee or Jordanian citizen, the first thing that draws teens to CRP is the promise of English and computer classes.
Refugee teens are often shy when they first come, unsure about meeting new people. Faleh and Ra’ed fled from different parts of Iraq for the same reason. They both come from a minority religion, which follows John the Baptist as their prophet. Persecuted for their faith, they sought safety in Jordan. But they were intimidated to move to a new neighborhood, where the majority of people around them were a different religion.
Still though, since they are out of school, computer and English classes enticed them out of their new houses and to CRP.
Here they met each other, and many other friends of different religions and nationalities. Faleh says, “I have many Muslim friends at CRP,” but admits that outside of CRP, he often feels he’s treated as an outsider.
Sami is a Jordanian member of CRP’s teen group and on any Saturday you can find him playing Ping Pong with other teens between practicing English, computers, and other life skills. Though he goes to school, there are 45 kids in his class and he says that it’s hard to understand the teacher. They learn English at school, but he much prefers learning at CRP.
When asked about how he feels as a Jordanian coming to a center that was set up for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, he says, “I am happy to see Iraqis and Syrians around because it is multicultural and I learn from that exchange.”
Ra’ed feels similarly. “We don’t care if they are people of a different religion, they are just people like us so we don’t care where anyone comes from.”
Sami also notes that if CRP didn’t exist, there wouldn’t be a place for him to learn English for free in his neighborhood outside of school.
Not in school at all, Faleh says, speaking in English, “I personally love English as it is very beautiful and helpful. Also (I love) the computers classes at CRP and many, many other classes, but I want more classes at CRP to get better and more information. I want math classes and science classes.”
In this way, different teens of different circumstances are all able to benefit from CRP. They can make friends, have fun, and engage in important learning opportunities.
But Faleh is right. CRP needs more classes for teens, including more STEM classes. Help us build confidence, friendship, and hope for a better future for teens at CRP. Donate now.
