Commissioned by More To Her Story, January 2025
A view of the Beka Valley from the road from Beirut towards Zahle. On the horizon Syria is visible as Lebanon and Syria share a land border and Damascus is only a couple hours drive from Beirut.
Hibba, 34, poses for a portrait in the educational centre she works in. Hibba harbours distrust toward the transition government and worries about the future her students — especially the girls — will face when they eventually return to Syria. “I was married when I was 13. I know the pressure and expectation put on girls in society to get married and become mothers. I don’t want that for my students.”
Nabila, 13 — the same age Hibba was when she was married — stands for a portrait, embodying a different dream for her future.
Safana poses in front of a tent in the tented settlement she lives in the Bekka Valley. “I hope that the girls I have been able to teach can continue their studies when they return to Syria and that girls can take their rights and live in peace,”
Kulthum, 24, poses for a portrait outside of the education centre she works in. She is turned away from the camera to protect her modesty. “God willing, I hope and pray that more people in Syria will have the chance to continue their studies,” she said. “I always tell the girls I teach, ‘You have a right to dream.’ Girls deserve more than just growing up, getting married, and having kids. They deserve to learn, to thrive, and to feel fulfilled.”
Sawsan poses for a portrait in the educational centre she works in. “I love working as a teacher, and my personal dream is to return and study at a university, but I know realistically I will not be able to do this when I return with my family.”
