The Lost Right of a Talented Child

Today, I witnessed something truly heartbreaking at our school. Three Syrian children—bright, hardworking, and full of potential—were asked to leave because they didn’t have legal residency papers. I stood there, watching them pack their bags, and I felt a deep sorrow weigh heavily on my heart.

These children weren’t just ordinary students; they were among the best in their classes. I had seen their dedication firsthand—the way they soaked up knowledge, their eagerness to learn despite all the hardships they faced as refugees. They had dreams, big dreams, and they worked tirelessly to achieve them. But today, those dreams were shattered by something as simple yet as cruel as paperwork.

When the administration informed their parents that without the proper legal documents they couldn’t stay in school, the look in their eyes was devastating. Their mother clutched her hands tightly, trying to hold back tears, while the children stood in silence, their faces pale with disbelief. One of them, a boy with a love for science, whispered, “But I was doing so well… I just want to learn.” His words broke me.

I couldn’t help but think about all the times I had seen them in class, their eyes lighting up when they grasped a new concept, their proud smiles when they got high grades. They deserved better. They deserved a chance to keep going, to build a future, to chase their dreams without barriers standing in their way.

As they left the school, carrying their books like treasures they were afraid to lose, I felt helpless. I wanted to tell them that everything would be okay, that they would find another way, but deep down, I knew how uncertain their future had become.

This isn’t just their story; it’s the story of so many refugee children here in Lebanon—brilliant young minds trapped in circumstances they had no hand in creating. And I can’t stop asking myself: Why should a child’s right to learn depend on a piece of paper?

As I watched them walk away, I made a silent promise to myself. I will do whatever I can to advocate for them, to fight for their right to education, and to remind the world that these children, no matter where they come from, deserve the chance to excel and succeed.