By Yu-Chen Pan  

A Decade of Education and Empowerment 

In 2015, Tzu Chi established El Menahil International School in Türkiye, named after the Arabic term for "Spring in the Desert." The school was created to provide Syrian refugee children with access to education, restoring hope in an area often described as an educational desert. Over the past decade, the school has served over 300,000 refugee students, offering not only academic growth but also a foundation for resilience and self-confidence. 

El Menahil students created touching artworks combining Jing Si Aphorisms and Quranic wisdom. | Photo courtesy of Da Ai TV | 2024 

El Menahil’s curriculum spans primary, middle, and high school levels, setting it apart from other refugee schools that focus mainly on remedial education. The school’s diplomas are recognized by both the Turkish government and American accreditation bodies, enabling students to pursue higher education opportunities. 

An Artistic Tribute to Perseverance 

As El Menahil International School approaches its tenth anniversary, 31 Syrian students and teachers traveled to Taiwan to celebrate this milestone. They brought with them 53 art pieces that blend the wisdom of Tzu Chi’s Jing Si Aphorisms and the Quran’s teachings. These colorful, hope-filled works will be showcased at the “Spring of Hope” exhibition at the Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation in Taipei, opening on December 15, 2024. 

"Spring of Hope: El Menahil School Jing Si Aphorism Exhibition" opens on December 15, 2024, and runs until February 2, 2025. | Photo courtesy of Da Ai TV | 2024 

The exhibition, running through February 2, 2025, represents more than art; it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Visitors will find inspiration in how these young artists have transformed their experiences of war and displacement into expressions of hope, courage, and peace. 

Building a Future Rooted in Love and Gratitude 

Türkiye hosts over three million Syrian refugees as of late 2023. Many refugee children risk losing their childhoods to labor instead of education. Recognizing this, Tzu Chi volunteers, including Faisal Hu, collaborated with Syrian educators like Professor Juma to establish El Menahil schools in Türkiye. This school has become a sanctuary where children can replace fear and sorrow with learning and joy. 

Each artwork reflects the creator's deep life experiences. The Jing Si Aphorism of this painting is: "To those who use time well, time is precious like a gem; but to those who don’t use time wisely, it is worthless like mud." | Photo Da Ai TV | 2024 

As Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi, once said, “Do not let the seeds of hatred grow in children who are still fleeing. Instead, plant seeds of love and gratitude in their hearts.” This philosophy shapes the school’s approach, nurturing emotional stability and positivity among its students. Today, many children who once bore the weight of war on their small shoulders now carry dreams of brighter futures, their smiles reflecting newfound hope. 

A Global Message of Peace 

The “Spring of Hope” exhibition also bridges cultures through its multilingual publication of the artwork. In partnership with Jing Si Publications and local Turkish publishers, the collection is available in Arabic, Turkish, and Chinese, making the refugees’ stories accessible to a broader audience. 

In El Menahil's education, Syrian refugee children gradually find security, turning frowns into smiles. The Jing Si Aphorism of this painting is: "To learn, we need to have a child’s artlessness, a camel’s endurance, and a lion’s courage and resoluteness." | Photo: Da Ai TV | 2024 

Through education, art, and cross-cultural understanding, El Menahil International School embodies the essence of what it means to be a “spring in the desert.” The journey of these refugee children and their teachers reminds the world that even in the harshest circumstances, hope can flourish.