Interview with Hanin
Welcome to the fifth interview of our miniseries with the volunteers behind Little Leaders Foundation! You will get to know Hanin Makarem, our Research and Development specialist in this interview. You might already know her from the articles Understanding the impact of stigma on mental health and Consent: What Do You Need to Know?
Meet Hanin,
our Research and Development specialist!
LLF: What keeps you busy in daily life?
Hanin: Most of the time I’m busy with my full-time study; assignments, projects and attending classes. I also have a part-time job in sales which I do during the weekend. When I’m not busy with work or study, I spend time with my cat, family, and friends. My main interests are art, languages, anime and reading.
LLF: How did you learn about Little Leaders Foundation?
Hanin: I initially learnt about Little Leaders Foundation (LLF) through Instagram. Later on, my friend who also volunteers for LLF told me more about the organisation and its mission, I loved the idea and did some research myself as well. Then I applied as a volunteer.
LLF: What are your activities as a volunteer for our organization?
Hanin: My main tasks are to conduct research regarding a certain issue (education, mental health, social issues, etc.) and write articles and blogs for the website. This helps the LLF audience to understand these issues and shows how they can effectively contribute. They are also a form of spreading knowledge not to our audience only but to anyone interested.
LLF: What do you bring to our organization?
Hanin: I think the most valuable thing I brought to LLF is a new perspective on different matters. Since I come from a developing country, I can relate to the problems that LLF is trying to tackle. I think that each person is unique, therefore each one has different experiences and perspectives. This diversity helps LLF in its mission because each volunteer is providing a different perspective and delivering new skills.
LLF: Where did you grow up and how has that impacted your life?
Hanin: I grew up in Syria, and it is a very different environment from where I live now (The Netherlands). After the beginning of the civil war around 2010, things were not looking good. I lived in a relatively safe area; however, the infrastructure was severely damaged, and I was not able to see a future for myself there. It is also harder to make a career as a woman, everything is corrupted. So, it impacted my life negatively to some extent. On the other hand, I have a lot of happy memories there and I think growing up there made me stronger and shaped my personality.
LLF: Did you encounter any social issues where you grew up and how did this affect you?
Hanin: There are a lot of social issues, especially after the war because people were more divided and there was a lot of tension and anger. For example, corruption is one of the wider social issues in my country. Bribery and fraud have invaded almost all organizations and governmental bodies. Inequality is also a big issue, there is a huge gap between social classes and poverty has reached devastating levels. I think I was affected by gender inequality; women are always overshadowed, and they are assigned traditional roles.
LLF: What was your school experience like?
Hanin: I liked going to school. I was a shy girl, so it wasn’t easy to make friends, but later I became more extroverted, and I made lifetime friends at school. I did have some bad experiences with teachers. For example, I had a very strict French teacher who used bullying as a way to push students to achieve high grades. It backfired in my case and I still hate French today, even though I love learning languages and I speak four languages myself.
LLF: What would you like to see further developed within education?
Hanin: In general, I really would like to see different methods of assessment. Traditional exams like multiple questions force the student to learn everything by heart without deeply understanding the content. I think we need more innovative assessment methods that would minimize stress and reduce the student’s fear of exams. This will also build an informed generation who has deep apprehension and awareness of different subjects and issues. I also would like to see more advanced curriculums that include subjects like mental health, sex education and self-empowerment.
LLF: What do you think education should contribute to human life?
Hanin: I believe that education should provide people with different perspectives and knowledge which will eventually help them to build their outlook and form a unique character. Education shouldn’t be limited to learning history, politics, or math etc., instead, it should also teach the learner about themselves and how they can use this acquired knowledge to become a better version of themselves.
LLF: What is your motivation for volunteering for LLF?
Hanin: I have learned many skills during studying European Studies and I have always wanted to put those skills to the test. “No thief, however skilful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.” — L. Frank Baum. LLF has a noble cause and an honest determination to change children's lives for the best, and for me, this is something worth fighting for.
LLF: What would you like to gain personally with your work at LLF?
Hanin: I would like to gain more experience in the field of research. Additionally, I want to improve my writing skills by researching topics that I’m interested in. LLF gave me the opportunity to work on something that I like, and I know I will be proud of.
LLF: Did you used to feel like a "Little Leader" when you were younger?
Hanin: Yes and no. I’m the first child of my parents and I was always in charge of my younger siblings if they were not around, in this sense, I was a leader and had bigger responsibilities. However, in some other areas, I had insecurities and I did not feel that I had what it takes to be a leader. Now I have a different perspective on leadership, it is not about leading or commanding people, but it is more about teaming up and working towards a common goal.
LLF: Who is your greatest inspiration, and why?
Hanin: Monkey D. Luffy, is a fictional character from an anime called One Piece. Luffy has this invincible willpower that always pushes him to pursue his dreams. Although he is fictional, he is a great example of how a person can change the world by standing up for themselves and others. I also like the principles and values Luffy has, such as kindness, valuing friendship, and more.
LLF: What would you like to say to the Little Leaders participating in the Sponsor A Child project?
Hanin: You are on the right path. I understand that for you the obstacles are more extensive, and it is not an easy trip. However, you will be able to encounter these difficulties and LLF will help to lead a bright future!
