How EMPOWER! Helped Iman Reclaim Her Future | World Vision

In the dusty lanes of Al-Haramein Camp near Aleppo, Syria, 21-year-old Iman Al-Sayed Omar lived in near-total isolation. A displaced woman, divorced young and separated from her children, Iman’s world had shrunk to the four walls of her family’s shelter. Her days were marked by silence, her future clouded by despair.

Iman’s mother watched helplessly as she withdrew further into herself. Once full of life, her daughter now barely spoke, barely moved. The trauma of displacement, the pain of separation, and the weight of hopelessness had taken their toll. But one day, a whisper of possibility reached her ears, a local training centre supported by World Vision was offering courses and support for women in crisis.

She didn’t hesitate. She walked to the centre, not for herself, but for her daughter.

iman in computer class

The centre, run by Shafak Organization, is part of the EMPOWER! initiative funded by Irish Aid. EMPOWER! is designed to protect and uplift women and girls in some of the world’s most fragile contexts in Syria, Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The programme addresses the deep-rooted barriers that women and girls face in crisis settings. Through a combination of education, protection, and empowerment, EMPOWER! helps women like Iman not just survive, but begin to thrive.

When Iman’s mother arrived at the centre, she asked for help. She spoke with the psychosocial support staff, sharing her fears: “My daughter doesn’t leave her room. She’s lost all hope. I’m afraid I’ll lose her completely.”

The staff listened with compassion. They explained that the centre provided psychosocial support, awareness sessions, and a safe space for women to reconnect with themselves and others. They suggested Iman begin with a computer course, a gentle way to reintroduce her to learning and community.

Back home, Iman’s mother approached her with care. She spoke softly, telling her about the centre, the people she met, and the opportunity waiting for her. It wasn’t easy, Iman was hesitant, afraid of failure, afraid of being seen. But her mother’s words planted a seed. Iman agreed to try.

Iman in computer class

Her first day at the centre was quiet. She sat at a computer, unsure of herself. But as the lessons began, something shifted. She started to learn. She began to smile. She asked questions. She returned the next day, and the next.

“I feel happy now,” she told her trainer. “I feel like I will succeed in my high school exams. I want to keep learning—to become a trainer myself.”

Iman didn’t stop at the computer course. She made a bold decision: to complete her Baccalaureate exams while continuing her training. It was a challenge, but EMPOWER!’s holistic support gave her the tools to persevere.

She studied late into the night, balancing her coursework with household responsibilities. Her father, suffering from chronic illness, worked tirelessly selling fruits and vegetables to support the family. Iman helped him every day, managing provisions and caring for her younger siblings.

Despite the emotional and economic strain, she pressed on.

When Iman passed her exams, she returned to the centre with tears of joy. She wasn’t just a student anymore, she was a symbol of resilience. She shared her dream of studying Informatics at university in Aleppo and asked her trainer: “Miss, can you keep training me on WhatsApp? I’ve saved some money and want to buy a laptop. I really hope I can get accepted into IT studies. Please pray that my grade average qualifies me.”

Today, Iman assists the centre’s administration with data entry, using the skills she gained through EMPOWER!’s vocational training. She’s no longer invisible. She’s a young woman with a future and a purpose.

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