Mahmoud Al-Samadi -TASTAKEL 14 – from Douma – Rural Damascus.
I studied Biomedical Devices Engineering and Information Technology. I am a community civil activist, and I believe that knowledge is not measured by certificates, but by the impact it leaves on people and society.

I received a very important training with the organization TASTAKEL, which for me was more than just an educational experience. It was a space for thinking, reflection, and rebuilding my relationship with myself and with others. Through this training, I learned how to listen sincerely, how to express my ideas with confidence, how to negotiate with awareness, and how to read conflict through a humane, non-confrontational lens.

I gained a deeper understanding of concepts such as transitional justice, international humanitarian law, the art of communication, negotiation skills, citizenship, psychosocial support, and conflict sensitivity. Each of these concepts became a window for a deeper understanding of reality, and a tool for building both inner and social peace.

During the training period, I was actively engaged in several activities and initiatives on the ground, which made the experience more closely connected to daily life and real community challenges. The program was motivating and inspiring, encouraging me to continue fieldwork with greater confidence and a deeper belief in the power of change from within.

I benefited greatly from this training and from TASTAKEL, not only in terms of skills and knowledge, but also in terms of confidence and momentum. It was a real catalyst that pushed me to rethink my role and take bolder steps toward effective community work. Through it, I also built valuable relationships and connections with active and influential individuals in the community; we exchanged experiences, shared visions, and built bridges of cooperation and hope.

This experience taught me to be more aware, more responsible, and more capable of making an impact. It taught me that dialogue is not a luxury, but a necessity; that communication is not merely words, but the building of trust; and that citizenship is not just an identity, but a daily practice rooted in respect, partnership, and the pursuit of justice.

I emerged from this experience carrying a commitment: to transfer this knowledge, to use it in the service of my community, and to be a voice of reason, a space for hope, and a bridge toward change.