April 15, 2026
News
Rana was born at the beginning of the civil war in Syria. When she was just a few months old, she had to flee her hometown of Hayan in Aleppo with her parents and four older siblings. For a long time, they searched for a safe shelter. They moved from villages to towns and faced many difficulties. Eventually, they settled in the village of Kaljibrin in the countryside of Aleppo. But even there, they did not find the stability so necessary for young Rana. Hope arrived thanks to the programme supporting girls and women in Syria, implemented with assistance from Caritas Czech Republic. Rana began attending the sessions regularly and, gradually, she gained confidence and great ambitions for her future.
Photo: Thanks to the programme, Rana gained confidence
Traumatic childhood
Today, Rana is 14 years old and in the eighth grade. She enjoys learning and likes school. However, the traumatic experiences from her childhood continue to affect her. Apart from losing her home and being displaced, her family also faced financial problems. Moreover, Rana was negatively affected by her parents’ separation. As a result, she was more withdrawn than her peers, isolated herself, and spent a lot of time on her phone to escape the reality that did not match her dreams.
A change for the better for the whole family
When the organisers of the programme supporting girls and women visited her school, Rana attended the first session, with her family's approval. At first, she was shy, but then she actively and happily participated. With each session, something inside Rana was awakening.
I love the sessions I attend. They present new topics and ideas that are not common in my community, and I feel they benefit me,
Rana says. The change within her inner life soon became apparent to the outside world as well. She stopped isolating herself and began making friends. She dedicated more time to herself as well as to her school responsibilities. The first to notice the improvement in Rana’s well-being was her mother, who, motivated by this change, began attending the sessions for women. Soon, the programme supported by Caritas Czech Republic brought new energy into the life and future of the whole family.
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Photo: The programme supports women and girls in Syria
Her own path towards a better future
Today, Rana is no longer the introverted girl who sought safety in her own silence. She has gained confidence, is present, and has many ambitions for her future. Apart from her love of drawing, she has a big dream. She wants to become a doctor, not only to change the course of her own life but also to support her family and serve her community.
Photo: Rana likes to draw and drams of becoming a doctor
The programme helped many women and girls in Syria find courage and their own voice, opening a path towards a better future for them.
Photo: The programme opened a path towards a better future for Rana and other girls and women
Caritas Czech Republic in Syria
We have been working in Syria for more than ten years. Amid the long-term civil war, we are monitoring the country’s security situation. According to 2025 data, more than 16 million Syrians need humanitarian assistance. Last year, our activities were supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and by our fundraising campaign for Syria.
In 2025, in the village of Kaljibrin, where Rana and her family live, we helped to put the water supply network into operation. Today, it delivers drinking water to local households and businesses. As a result, people can save money instead of spending it on water from elsewhere, which would often threaten their health.
