In the town of Armanaz in Idlib’s countryside lives Bilal Sardani, a 24-year-old mechanical engineering graduate who longed for an opportunity to turn his ambitions into meaningful action for his community. One day, Bilal came across an announcement for a Training of Trainers (ToT) course at the Youth Empowerment Center—an opportunity he immediately seized.
“I saw the announcement for a training group on the Facebook page and applied right away,” Bilal recalls. “Thankfully, I was among those accepted to participate.”
From the very first sessions, Bilal stood out. His commitment, curiosity, and active participation caught the attention of his trainers. He contributed, asked questions, and shared ideas. As the days went by, Bilal began to discover his strengths in communication and facilitation, and his confidence grew. “The training lasted a week,” he says, “but in that short time, I gained valuable experience that changed my outlook on life.”
After completing his training, his efforts were not in vain; he received an exceptional opportunity to become a trainer at the same center, the Watan Community Center. There, he stood before young people his age and some younger, sharing his new experience and instilling in them a sense of initiative and self-confidence. It was a pivotal moment for him, as he felt for the first time that he was not only developing himself, but also opening doors for others.
Bilal’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed. After completing the course, he was offered the opportunity to become a trainer at the same center where he had once been a trainee. Standing in front of a room full of young people, Bilal began sharing his newfound knowledge and inspiring others to believe in their potential. For him it was a turning point as he felt for the first time that he was not only developing himself, but also opening doors for others.
Thanks to his passion and enthusiasm, Bilal quickly became a role model among his peers. His sessions weren’t just about skill-building—they were about self-discovery and empowerment. Many participants described leaving his workshops with renewed motivation and a fresh perspective on their futures.
A Turning Point and Source of Inspiration
Today, Bilal continues to look ahead, dreaming of a career that allows him to grow further and inspire more young people. He sees his experience with Watan as the foundation of his journey and a first step toward building a generation of youth who can drive positive change in their communities.
“I thank Watan for the opportunity it has given me, allowing me to embark on a new life experience,” Bilal says. “My advice to every young person is to seize these opportunities and enroll in the training programs offered by the organization. Training programs are extremely important for gaining experience and knowledge.”