At 17, Bara’a Asleh stood on the cusp of graduation, looking back on a journey that had transformed her in ways she couldn’t have imagined. Growing up in a world marked by loss and displacement, she was once a shy girl who feared raising her hand in class, hesitant to share her thoughts. But Karam House changed everything. It became her sanctuary, her creative playground, and a space where she could uncover her potential, piece by piece. 

When Bara’a first entered Karam House, she had only a flicker of confidence. She hadn’t envisioned the transformation waiting for her. Through a series of workshops and hands-on projects, she stepped out of her comfort zone. One project, in particular, left a deep mark on her—designing a “time capsule” kit to help young children overcome their fear of visiting the dentist. It wasn’t just a Karam project; it was personal. Years ago, Bara’a had promised her father, who suffered from dental issues due to diabetes, that she would become a dentist one day. But when he passed away, her dream felt lost with him.

At Karam House, that dream resurfaced, but this time it was different. With mentors encouraging her to persevere and a community that made her feel safe, she began to dream again. The mentors at Karam House, like Kardeline, inspired her to believe nothing was impossible. In a place where failure was merely a stepping stone, she grew resilient, learning to try again after each setback. She learned that, with the right guidance and environment, she could achieve what she set her mind to.

Beyond the projects, Karam House nurtured a confidence in Bara’a that she hadn’t known before. It gave her a space to feel free, to feel capable, and to find a voice that had been stifled by years of grief and self-doubt. At Karam, she didn’t feel like the Syrian outsider struggling in a Turkish school environment that often felt unwelcoming. She felt seen, respected, and encouraged to rise above.

As she prepared to leave, Baar’a knew the lessons she learned at Karam House would stay with her for life. To her, Karam wasn’t just a program or a building; it was a lifeline. It had shown her the power of resilience and had rekindled a dream she thought she had lost. Karam House didn’t just provide an education; it gave Bara’a a future to believe in and the courage to pursue it.