August 17, 2022 - Some of the best learning and bonding experiences happen to be gained outside regular settings. Despite the difficulties finding appropriate locations given current circumstances in Syria, the Baytna-supported Antame project recently embarked its participants to a retreat of sorts on the outskirts of Azaz, for a very special training.

The two-day life skills training, organized by Baytna’s partner Hooz Center for Community Development, was designed to help emerging civil teams in the city to better function with one another. "It was our first experience outside the center in Azaz, and we had not previously tried camping out. We were not sure whether the participants, especially women, would agree, but they did! Honestly, we were thrilled,” said Hooz Center Director Anas Al-Rawi.

Because of cultural norms in these areas, Hooz invited one of the young women participants’ mother to join the group at the site, to reassure her that these activities were safe and appropriate, while hoping this precedent would pave the way for future retreats. “I didn’t know what to expect,” she told the trainers at the end, “but I was delighted to be there with them. The activities were fun, entertaining, and valuable, and they helped these young men and women to think differently.”

While female participants did return to their homes in Azaz to spend the night, returning for the second round of activities the next day, the young men were able to experience a night of camping activities in the fields surrounding their location.

The retreat was intended to be a relaxed, informal training, and the exercises reflected this goal. “We started by asking them to describe their relationship with their names,” explained trainer Moustafa Al Hamed, “to give them a chance to slowly start thinking about their social environment.” It was then easy to move on to an “Agree or Disagree” exercise, designed to promote a culture of acceptance and respect for other opinions. Similar discussions were held with activities such as “Hopes and Fears” and “Reality and Dream.”

The young men and women also had a chance to partake in some physical activity, running to a board to pin answers for a fun general trivia exercise, favoring knowledge, speed, and team work. And under the watchful eye of the designated mother of the camp, they followed this with a ball game that had them running around in teams all over the retreat grounds, relay style. "It was a lovely and different type of experience; I discovered new sides to my personality and I know I got a few new skills that I’m sure will help me in everyday life," said Lama, one of the participants.

In the convivial atmosphere following these bond-strengthening and confidence-enhancing activities, the trainers also spent time discussing big ideas and challenges faced in society, such as improved communication, harmony, and integration in given roles. To cement their new perspectives, participants were asked to write about their plans for their imagined teams of the future, based on this special two-day life skills training.

"Getting out of the traditional settings where we usually give trainings had a tremendous impact on the success of this activity. This pleasant place and the nature of the training made everyone more open, spontaneous, closer, and we were more connected with ourselves, and with each other," commented Ahmad, one of the trainees.

This first experience has left both trainers and trainees wanting more events in this style.

“These two days were unlike any other trainings, either in the region or in the entire northern Syria. No written report can properly reflect the interaction, harmony, benefits, and learning we saw. I wish I could better describe how important this experience has been, and how much I would like to keep developing and repeating it," concluded Al Hamed.