Maher Zain
gets to know Mahmoud, construction worker, son, and future engineer
Maher Zain travelled with UNHCR to Lebanon, the country of his birth, where he met 12-year-old Mahmoud.
Mahmoud’s father recently injured himself on a construction site and cannot work, so Mahmoud has had to drop out of school to work and support his family as the main breadwinner. He has two different jobs – one in a café and one on a construction site. He has started getting back pain from the construction work and his sisters say that he’s tired all the time and that he doesn’t have the energy to play with them anymore. He barely earns $7 a day and this is all they have to support a family of five. Mahmoud said: “If I don’t work we would have to borrow more money from people. I have to think of myself as a grown up now.”
When he was in Syria, Mahmoud used to love school, particularly English and Arabic, and he was top of his class. He says: “If I can’t go back to school I want to educate myself anyway. It’s so important because without education you can’t be anyone. When I am older, I want to become an engineer. I want to rebuild my home in Syria and I want to help people in need.”
UNHCR High Profile Supporter, Maher Zain, in Lebanon with 12 year old Syrian refugee, Mahmoud. The day Mahmoud’s family left Syria started off as a ‘normal’ day – that means shootings and mortar shells – but things escalated and became even more intense than usual. “My mother told us to get ready to leave. We packed lightly because we didn’t think we would be away for long – a few hours or maybe a few days at most. I packed only my favourite things – some clothes and toys.” Photos © UNHCR/ Jordi Matas
In Lebanon, Mahmoud’s father found work on a construction site but he recently injured his back at work and now he can barely walk. Mahmoud is the eldest and only son so with his father unable to bring in an income Mahmoud has had to drop out of school to work. He is now the main breadwinner of the family. Left to right: Reem (7), Khaled (father), Mahmoud (12). / UNHCR / J. Matas / September 2014
After their savings went, the family sold their furniture and then started buying food on credit with their local grocer who they are paying back in instalments. Mahmoud says, “If I don’t work we would have to borrow more money from people. I have to think of myself as a grown up now.” Left to right: Mahmoud (12), Khaled (father). / UNHCR / J. Matas / September 2014
Mahmoud: “I work from 6am – 12pm in construction and I am paid $3,30 a day. At the construction site there is no one my age. They are all much older than me. When I get home, I’m really tired, but I take a shower and have a little time to rest before going to my second job.” /UNHCR / J. Matas / September 2014
Mahmoud’s 2 little sisters say that he has started getting back pain from the construction work. They say he’s tired all the time. That he’s not the brother he was before. He doesn’t have the energy to play with them. He doesn’t laugh much anymore. He works. He eats. He sleeps. He worries. / UNHCR / J. Matas / September 2014
Mahmoud’s second job of the day is at a local café where he works from 1pm- 6pm. “Sometimes I stay late at work if there’s something urgent that needs doing. I do multiple tasks from squeezing juice to assisting customers and selling. The work in the café isn’t as tiring as the construction work but by the end of the day I’m very tired.”/ UNHCR / J. Matas / September 2014
Back in Syria Mahmoud used to love school, particularly English and Arabic and he was top of his class. He says, “If I can’t go back to school I want to educate myself anyway. It’s so important because without education you can’t be anyone. When I am older, I want to become an engineer. I want to rebuild my home in Syria and I want to help people in need.” / UNHCR / J. Matas / September 2014
UNHCR recently identified Mahmoud as a vulnerable case due to him being the primary breadwinner of the family. The family is now in the process of being enrolled for cash assistance from UNHCR that will cover their rent and basics and will mean that Mahmoud can go back to school. Left to right: Noor (11), Reem (7), Khaled (father), Mahmoud (12), Rimia (mother). / UNHCR / J. Matas / September 2014
For more stories from Maher’s visit to Lebanon: www.unhcr.org/maherzain
Refugees. Ordinary people living through extraordinary times. Share their stories.
Large numbers of Syrian refugee children are not in school, despite efforts by governments and UN agencies. Often it’s due to psychological distress or because the children are helping to support the family. With so many children out of school for extended periods, Syria risks ending up with an under-educated generation. UNHCR is working hard to improve children’s access to quality education and strengthen the protective environment for Syrian refugee children. We are seeking ways of expanding national capacity and access to education, recognizing the stress on the public school systems in neighbouring countries.
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