Songs, Sunnies & Syria: Schooling Done Differently

We all know about the Syrian crisis and what effect it’s having on the nation’s children, who are often displaced, afraid and stunted culturally or academically.

Many of the children who escape the horrors of Syria and restart life in refugee camps across Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon are removed from school and at risk of being subjected to child labour, early marriage, exploitation or extremism during this period of instability.

The A World at School campaign, run by UK-based charity TheirWorld and education NGO Sonbola, has created a new spot inspired by Straight Outta Compton, but titled Straight Outta Syria (below).

Like the rappers that formed N.W.A in the biographical film, the six-minute spot – produced by Silverfish Productions – stars a rap trio, Fire Rap, that is made up of teenage brothers Samir, Abdulrahman and Mohammed Karbouj aged between nine and 13.

Documenting their personal experiences of the Syrian crisis and talking about their adjustment to life in Lebanon, the group’s lyrics are deeply emotive and reveal the chilling effect that relocation has had on their childhood.

Helmed by Nathan Sam Long, the spot highlights the importance of implementing education among Syrian refugee children currently living in Bekaa, Lebanon as the Karbouj brothers were actually discovered in a Sonbola learning centre.

It couldn’t have come at a better time, as although funds for education are currently tight, next month on February 4^th, world leaders will meet and discuss the best way to invest $750 million towards education for more displaced children of Syria.  

The #UpForSchool campaign will encourage children to develop their different talents and interests, knowing that few are currently able to.

"This film poignantly tells the story of three brothers, who despite their circumstances have been able to develop their passion for rap music because they have returned to the classroom,” says Theirworld president Sarah Brown.

The campaign hopes to perpetuate this trend by investing in education and nurturing the future of Syria's young talent.

To support the initiative, sign the petition here to get other Syrian refugee children into schools or visit the website here. And to read about the BTS process, click here.