Today, we will hear the story of Hasan, a Syrian refugee who participated in CyberCare program, as told by Cheong Yuk Wai.

Wai first met Hasan in 2015 during a training session in a youth development program called STEP (Self-empowering Transition and Employability Program), organised by CyberCare for underprivileged youth.

CyberCare is an organisation that aims to provide the youth with life skills they need to succeed.

The organisation works with volunteers to coach and mentor youth through development programs; MAD (Making A Difference), STEP (Self-empowering Transition and Employability Program) and YEP (Youth Entrepreneurship Program). Their programs are hands-on training that provides the youth with experiential learning.

Hasan was one amongst many young refugees from Syria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Palestine, Myanmar, Iraq and Somalia.

Hasan made a prominent impression for Wai as he was full of zest for life. It’s like his mission is to be noticed and to make you smile; as if he’s eager to do something or to go somewhere.

Wai didn’t expect to find someone full of hope, eager for a better future, so believing that everything will work out. After all, the program was attended by other refugees and as we know, they have been through some traumatic moments.

Hasan continued to stay in contact with the CyberCare team. After the training, the 16-year-old (March 2016)  would go on to teach at a refugee school in Wangsa Maju.

He shared what he learned from CyberCare to his students. He taught them about loving one another and to not think about the sad moments; the war and everything that has happened in the past.

Most importantly, he taught them to create a new happy life and think about their future. He wanted their future to be better than his. For that, he became an inspiration for his students and everyone at CyberCare.

Hasan said he had loved teaching since he was a child. Although he really wanted to study, he had to stop going to school to help his family. His father was in a hospital at the time, and the fee was high.

CyberCare hopes for a better future for Hasan and his family, as well as every youth they have the opportunity to train. They hope that Hasan will continue to believe and acquire the skills, knowledge and wisdom that will lead to him living his life to the fullest.

Every child has the right to dream. Every child also has a right to fulfil that dream.

This story was first published on Our Better World.