My father had broken his leg and could not work for a year, so I had to start working in the potato fields to cover his absence, when I was only 14.
My name is Najah Adel Tuba. I am 17 years old, and I am originally from Aleppo, Syria.
Najah in Arabic means Success. I hope this will be a big part of my journey.
In 2014, the war forced me, my 6 siblings, and my parents to leave our home and move to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Since then, we have lived in a camp. It has been almost 12 years now. I feel relatively safe here, but life is still difficult.
I had to leave school when I was in tenth grade, only 14 years old, because my family was struggling financially. My father had broken his leg and could not work for a year, so I had to start working in the potato fields to cover his absence
Every day, I began work at 2:00 am and continued until 1:00 in the afternoon. I collected potatoes and carried them for long hours. It was very tiring, especially because I was still so young.
Najah
There was also a lot of pressure at work.
The landowner paid me much less than I should have received for the number of hours I worked.
The money was not enough to cover my family’s needs, but at that time, I was the only person earning an income.
Thankfully, my father’s leg is better now and he is able to work again. He works in unloading and carrying vegetables. His job is exhausting, and he is often unwell. He is 50 years old, but he continues because our family needs an income.
After my long hours at the potato fields, I used to watch makeup tutorials online and try to practice what I saw. I wanted to learn more because working in beauty has been my dream for a long time.
Almost a year ago, I joined Women for Women International’s Adolescent Girls Program. Now, I am learning beauty skills in a more professional way. I really like the training because the teachers encourage me, and I feel that I am learning something useful and also something that I enjoy.
At first, we attended economic empowerment sessions. We learned how to start a small business, manage our savings and avoid common mistakes. After that, we began learning practical vocational skills.
I also enjoy the awareness sessions, especially the ones that teach us about illnesses, how they spread and how we can protect ourselves. We have recreational sessions too, where we dance, sing and talk together. I love these moments because they allow us to relax and enjoy being together.
After everything I have been through because of war, displacement, poverty and hard work, I hope I have finally reached a place where I can grow. I have worked very hard to get here, and I hope the next steps towards my dreams can be easier.
I also want to return to school, complete my education and earn a degree.
I once dreamed of becoming a lawyer. I believe that my education could become my protection and my shield in the future.
Najah a the Women for Women International center, Iraq
I never wanted to leave school, but I felt I had no choice. As the eldest among my siblings, I was the only one who could work alongside my father and help my family.
I have another dream too. I want to open a large beauty salon and become a professional hairdresser. I imagine having my own place and my own clients. Sometimes, this dream feels impossible, but I still wish for it. I know I will need a lot of support to make it happen.
When I think about hope, I dream of waking up every morning, going to a job I love and returning home feeling happy and comfortable.
I think that life should give me the chance to fulfill my dreams after all the effort I have made.
But I am always thankful for my mother and father who have given me strength and confidence. They did not want me to remain a worker in the potato fields after leaving school. That is why they encourage me to follow my passion of owning a beauty salon.
My life is not easy, I feel I am too young for everything I have been through, but I know that my experiences have shaped who I am today and made me this strong, ambitious and grateful girl.
