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In the city of Aleppo, Riyada Center continues its activities as one of the initiatives overseen by Space of Hope Association, in partnership with the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), with the aim of providing a supportive educational and community environment for adolescent boys and girls returning from within Syria and abroad, as well as those returning from camps. The center supports them in continuing their education, developing their skills, and reintegrating into society.
Halem Qawwas, Project Manager at Space of Hope Association, told Syria Plus that the center provides remedial education programs to help adolescents catch up on education they missed during the years of conflict. The center also offers interactive educational activities and drawing workshops that promote learning through play, encourage creativity and self-expression, and provide a safe space for adolescents.
Targeting the Age Group Most in Need
The center targets adolescent boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18, a group that faces particular challenges in returning to education and reintegrating socially. The center aims to provide psychosocial support and promote social cohesion among both the host community in Aleppo and those returning from neighboring countries and camps.
Life Skills and Non-Formal Education
The center offers life-skills courses covering effective communication, emotional and time management, decision-making, and problem-solving. It also provides non-formal and remedial education programs for children who have dropped out of school, as well as returnees from abroad who face difficulties with Arabic that affect their ability to reintegrate into schools.
Psychosocial Support and a Safe Space
The center also provides awareness sessions, as well as group and individual psychosocial support based on the needs of each case. In addition, it offers a safe space for adolescent boys and girls equipped with materials for activities and games, along with a library containing a collection of books and stories. Adolescents can also borrow books to read outside the center, helping promote a culture of reading and giving them an opportunity to express themselves.
Management and Implementation
The project is directly managed and implemented by Space of Hope Association for Development, in partnership with the Stabilization Support Unit, as part of efforts to support adolescents’ reintegration and rebuild community ties. These efforts contribute to local recovery and help open new doors of hope for a new generation.