Just over a month ago, the world witnessed the rapid and unanticipated collapse of the Assad regime in Syria—a brutal, dictatorial dynasty that maintained an iron grip on the country for 54 years. The regime presided over one of the bloodiest civil wars in human history, with over 600,000 killed and 14 million displaced from their homes. The violent crackdown began in 2011 when civilians peacefully protested against corruption and political repression during the Arab Spring movement. Civilians protested as a result of a five-decade-long state of emergency, which enabled the regime to suspend constitutional laws and use soldiers to enforce domestic security. Bashar al-Assad leveraged the emergency to gain tighter control of the country and oppress dissidents. Elections were rigged in favor of Assad, which brutally put down the peaceful uprising. This led to more than 5,000 deaths within the first year, followed by a civil war.
A myriad of political parties and foreign government-backed militias entered the fray and further complicated the war. Syria went from having $252 billion of annual GDP to $9 billion in 2024. 650,000 of the 6.6 million Syrian refugees that left the country poured into neighboring Jordan. These refugees ultimately accounted for 6% of the Jordanian population. The crisis placed immense strain on Jordan’s resources, as it is the third-most water-scarce country in the world and lacks natural resources. Among the Syrian refugees displaced to Jordan, over 80,000 sought safety in the Za’atari camp, which sits just 15 kilometers from the Syrian border. It is now the second-largest refugee camp in the world.
In the fall 2023, I came face-to-face with the human toll of the Syrian conflict as I conducted a fact-finding mission in Za’atari camp to understand the challenges facing the refugees there. I interviewed Syrian refugees across all age groups. Most refugees my age had been born in the camp and had never set foot in Syria. I worked with MercyCorps, a global emergency aid organization, whose volunteers spent significant time teaching these young refugees about the history and culture of their motherland.
The challenges faced by children in the camps are staggering. Residents of Za’atari live in a state of constant purgatory: returning home risks conscription or arrest, while staying provides scarce opportunities for employment. Refugees, with half of them being under the age of 16, are not permitted to leave the camp other than to study at nearby universities. Jordan does not recognize them as citizens. Without permanent status and work permits, full-time legal employment is nearly impossible. Many scrape by as illegal seasonal farmers or fruit vendors within the camp’s market.
In parallel, aid organizations are steadily withdrawing as resources are redirected to emerging global crises, leaving Za’atari’s residents in the dust—both figuratively and literally.
To address these challenges, I founded an organization called Dust Astronauts, which teaches coding to 14 to 16-year-olds in Za’atari. We worked with MercyCorps to gain access to the camp and on-site computers. Our mission is to teach relevant skills such as coding to ensure young refugees can access career opportunities outside of the camp. Physical barriers dissolve if they are able to work as outsourced tech development team members for global technology companies. In this way, refugees can virtually escape their physical confinement and attain a sustainable income.
During my visits, I heard inspiring stories that left a profound impact on me. One young girl shared her dream of becoming a translator, hoping to use her language skills in politics. A boy told me he aspired to be an engineer, determined to help rebuild Syria from its ruins. Another girl said she wanted to become an astronaut, “not just to escape the camp but to fly beyond its societal constraints.” Her quote inspired the name of my organization.
With the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad last month, the conflict has been reactivated. Clashes have erupted between pro-Assad loyalists and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces. These confrontations have led to casualties on both sides. Disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the region have exacerbated the instability.
As I watch these events unfold, my thoughts race back to the children of Za’atari. I wonder how they perceive this pivotal moment. Does this mean they can finally go “home”? While the Assad regime is over, the country is far from stable. Syria now faces a power vacuum with various factions, along with external nations, vying for territory and control. The road ahead seems perilous, and I worry about the safety and future for my friends in the camp.
While the world celebrates scenes of liberation, my mind is consumed by a single question: Will my friends in Za’atari actually return to a normal life and achieve the dreams they so passionately sought?
Many individuals on the Phillips Academy campus are driven to aid refugees. However, there are others who are completely unaware of these refugee’s circumstances. Out of everyone I asked, little knew of the Syrian civil war before it made headlines. None of them knew about Za’atari, the second-largest refugee camp in the world. I encourage students to conduct research on forgotten topics like this rather than just checking headlines. If you want to make a change and help those in need, there are numerous avenues to get involved. You can support aid organizations like MercyCorps, or Doctors Without Borders (MSF). You can also create your own non-profit. I believe one of the most meaningful ways to support children in these conditions is by helping them build sustainable income through education. By equipping them with the skills necessary to find work and provide for their families, we can empower them to break this vicious cycle.
For those looking to help refugees, I urge you to focus on long-term solutions rather than one-off aid. By investing in the future of these children, we can create truly meaningful, lasting change.
