I’m Ahmed Makkour. I’m 19 years old and I’m studying at the Computer Technical Institute in Idlib University. This subject is my passion. The war affected education and, for a time, there were no schools or universities and people stopped their studies. But we are trying our best. Despite it all, we’re still asking to learn more. We will keep asking for knowledge.

Despite it all, we’re still asking to learn more.

The books are important to me. My study depends mainly on research. Of course, I can use Google, but in the search results it is so hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. It’s like being in a maze. And when we find useful information, in print or electronically, there’s always a price for this information. The cost of a book could be $100. That $100 could be a month’s worth of food for a whole family.

So reference books are important – having these valuable books at the university free of charge makes it a lot easier for us. These books are receptacles containing information and valuable ideas we need to enrich our thoughts and research in a systematic and objective manner.

I dream and aspire to finish my studies in software and work in this field. My apps and projects will benefit the community and reach as many people as possible. My message to the people who support education is to keep it going.

I dream and aspire to finish my studies in software and work in this field. My message to the people who support education is to keep going.

Our thoughts are with Ahmed, our partners at Syria Relief and all those affected by the earthquakes. To learn more, visit syriarelief.org.uk

All images © Syria Relief/ Action for Humanity.