My name is Ahmad. I am 20 years old, a computer science student at Aleppo University in Azaz. I’ve lived my entire life in Azaz, a city that holds memories of beauty and resilience but also scars of conflict. One of the darkest chapters of this conflict are the dangers left behindby mines. I’ve seen the pain they cause—broken families , loss of lives , and shattered dreams . I’ve seen neighbors lose loved ones, and I’ve heard the haunting stories of children stepping on mines while playing in fields. Each story weighed heavily on my heart, pushing me to think, What can I do to prevent this?

At first, I thought I had the solution. I imagined a simple tool that individuals could use to map mines in their villages. It felt like a step forward. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough. The problem was so much bigger than me, and my approach felt incomplete. Still, I held onto that idea, unsure of how to make it work.

Everything changed when I attended a design thinking training course. I walked into the room thinking I already had an answer, but I quickly realized that true innovation doesn’t start with solutions—it starts with understanding. The trainer, Mr.Emad, introduced us to a whole new way of thinking, one that focuses not just on tools but on people, collaboration, and context.

During the training, I met incredible individuals—students works voluntarily in the humanitarian sectors, engineers, teachers, and even those who had firsthand experience with the devastation caused by mines. Their stories, expertise, and insights opened my eyes to challenges I hadn’t considered before. For the first time, I understood that solving this problem wasn’t about working alone; it was about building a solution together, one that considers every angle and involves everyone affected.

The training wasn’t just about learning a process—it was about changing how we think. I realized that the solution to such a complex challenge required us to start from the very beginning, asking questions like: Who are the people affected? What are their needs? What are the barriers they face? Instead of rushing to create a tool, we began to map the ecosystem of the problem itself. I discovered the importance of involving key actors like the civil defense, humanitarian organizations, and local communities. I also learned that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about empathy, collaboration, and understanding.

Step by step, we began reimagining the idea. Together, we brainstormed creative ways to map mines effectively and safely, not just for households but for entire communities. We explored ways to integrate local knowledge, leverage technology, and coordinate with experts who could safely remove the mines. It was a journey of discovery, fueled by the creativity and determination of everyone in that room.

This training didn’t just give me tools; it gave me hope. Hope that, even in the face of such devastating challenges, solutions can be found when we come together and think differently. Hope that we can save lives, protect communities, and rebuild trust in places scarred by the conflict.

For me, this wasn’t just a training—it was a turning point. It showed me that change starts not with answers, but with the courage to ask the right questions, to collaborate, and to believe in the power of innovation. Today, I’m more determined than ever to work on this idea—not just for the people of Azaz, but for every community that dreams of a safer future.

To anyone considering attending such a training, I can only say this: It will change the way you see the world, and it will change the way you see yourself. It gave me the tools to make a difference, but more importantly, it gave me the belief that I can.”