"Bunker schools" for Syrian kids

In Al-Bab, Syria, a suburb of Aleppo, children attend class in their new "bunker schools" following the bombing of six schools by Bashar Assad's air force. — Anna Day/TransTerra Media

In Al-Bab, Syria, a suburb of Aleppo, children attend class in a new "bunker school," established following the bombing of six schools by Bashar al-Assad's air force.

"They are clearly traumatized, as you would expect," explains a 3rd grade teacher. "But our children are resilient, and they want to learn. They know they need their education to rebuild Free Syria." — Anna Day/TransTerra Media

"They are clearly traumatized, as you would expect," explains a 3rd grade teacher at a bunker school. "But our children are resilient, and they want to learn. They know they need their education to rebuild Free Syria."

Weekly, the Red Crescent distributes notebooks and pencils to the students and all-volunteer staffs of the bunker schools. — Anna Day/TransTerra Media

"We're all scared to let our children out of the house," explains one parent, who volunteers in the bunker schools. "But they're terrified, so we want to restore some normalcy by at least letting them see and play with other children."

"We thought his father [Hafez al-Assad] was bad," reflects one parent. "But Bashar is the nightmare we could have never imagined. We are just insects to him, even our children. You don't hit five schools by accident." A sixth school was hit after the parent spoke.

"My favorite subject is English because I'm going to study in America some day," says a 6-year-old student named Mahmoud. "And I will return as a doctor to help in Free Syria's hospitals." — Anna Day/TransTerra Media

Some elementary schools fell victim to Assad's infamous barrel-bombs: Industrial barrels filled with TNT, nails, screws and metal shrapnel, rolled off the back of airplanes.

Weekly, the Red Crescent distributes notebooks and pencils to the students and all-volunteer staffs of the bunker schools.

The lessons are taught underground, where it's safer.

This class of 7-year-old girls is learning the Arabic alphabet through playful songs. One girl, Wala, sings the American ABCs and says she wants to be a dentist.

"We're all scared to let our children out of the house," explains one parent, who volunteers in the bunker schools. "But they're terrified, so we want to restore some normalcy by at least letting them see and play with other children." — Anna Day/TransTerra Media

"My favorite subject is English because I'm going to study in America some day," says a 6-year-old student named Mahmoud. "And I will return as a doctor to help in Free Syria's hospitals."