From drop-out to disability influencer: Khaled's newfound confidence from a second chance at school

Above: Khaled in the classroom. Photo: Natalie Abu-Eisheh/Save the Children Jordan

15-year-old Khaled* dropped out of school after he was bullied for his disability. The youngest in his family in Amman, Jordan, Khaled is unable to walk without crutches. Unfortunately, his classmates in mainstream schooling began bullying him from a young age, damaging his self-esteem and enthusiasm for school.

But now, Khaled is back in the classroom with confidence after his parents enrolled him in Save the Children’s informal educational sessions.

The classes, supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Jordan, are targeted at out-of-school adolescents who have become disengaged with formal education. Attendees are made up of refugee children who have fled Syria and are living in Jordan, as well as Jordanian children who have struggled to engage in mainstream education, including students living with disabilities.

Khaled attends Arabic and mathematics classes at the centre. When he first joined, his teachers described him as shy and isolated. Over time, Khaled began building friendships with the other boys and grew his self-confidence.

Through the classes, Khaled says the other boys treat him like he is one of them and include him during program activities. Hussein, another young boy with a disability, quickly became Khaled’s friend and now they attend sessions together.

“I feel better here at the centre. They don’t bully me and speak with me normally like the other boys. At my old school, I felt like a stranger,” Khaled said.

Khaled’s parents noticed a change in his behaviour within just a few weeks of attending the classes, noting that he had become more social, active, and confident.

“When I first came here, I was sad, but now I am enjoying life. My parents even noticed a change in me. They told me they are proud of me and that I no longer allow other people’s opinions of me define my value. Now, I know how to defend myself,” Khaled said.

With his newfound confidence, Khaled encourages other young people with disabilities through his social media accounts.

He posts pictures and videos of himself playing sports, exercising, and eating healthy to inspire other children with disabilities to pursue their dreams.

“My message for other people with disabilities who are thinking about joining the centre is that if you have been bullied before, this is the place for you. Here people respect you and treat you as one of them. This experience will change your life,” Khaled says.   

Above: Khaled (far right) in an Arabic lesson with his classmates and teacher. Photo: Natalie Abu-Eisheh/Save the Children Jordan

“From the first day, the centre teachers laid out the classroom rules and one of them was that bullying of any kind was not allowed. I feel close to my teachers and like I can speak with them about anything, without judgment,” he said.

“The teachers play with us, teach us new things, and treat us as part of their family. It is like my second home.”

Outside of the classroom, Khalid has no plans to stop his efforts online at being a disability influencer.

“My dream is to be a YouTuber and become famous,” he said. “I post videos of myself exercising, eating healthy, and playing sports to show the world that people with disabilities can do anything.”

The AHP Jordan response is led by Save the Children Australia with CARE Australia, Plan Australia and local partner Nour Al Hussein Foundation/Institute for Family Health. The response focuses on supporting out-of-school adolescents, including children with disabilities, to return to learning, livelihoods support, engaging men and boys in transforming social norms to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality and promoting women and girls’ participation in public life.

*Name changed