Rarely do we find a human journey that encapsulates the meaning of determination like that of writer #Basma_Salman_Obeid. Hers is a tale of cross-border ambition that began in Syria and settled in Canada, proving to the world that dreams never wither with age, and that the train of knowledge never leaves behind those who hold the compass of passion. Between an involuntary hiatus and a triumphant return, Basma wove the threads of her story with the skill of an educator and the sensibility of a creative spirit.
Basma's journey began when social circumstances forced her to discontinue her studies in the second preparatory grade (eighth grade), but this pause was nothing more than a warrior's respite. After ten full years, she returned to seize the reins of her ambition once again, earning both her preparatory and secondary school certificates through independent study, and then enrolling at Damascus University, before the course of life directed her toward the mission of education.
She entered the teaching profession after graduating from the Teachers' Institute, becoming a devoted educator who dedicated years of her life to teaching the first primary grade, where the first letters are formed and beginnings are planted in young minds. Believing that childhood is a world founded on wonder, she adopted "story and song" as essential tools to simplify knowledge and unlock the horizons of imagination for her pupils.
She later took her professional journey to Dubai, where she did not merely teach Arabic, but also left an exceptional humanitarian mark by accompanying a child with special needs for many years, guiding her to a level of excellence and self-reliance in an educational and humanitarian accomplishment that embodies the highest ideals of devotion.
At the age of sixty-five, Basma decided to realize her deferred dream of authorship, and her pen began overflowing with creativity across several releases:
“My Grandmother's Tales” (2016): Her debut work published in Syria.
The Educational Collection for Children (2017): In which she simplified Arabic grammar rules (verbs, nouns, relative pronouns...) and which was published by Dar Kiwan in Sharjah.
“Alphabet Songs” (2022): An artistic and educational project launched in Lebanon, blending words and melodies.
“From the Depths of Memory”: A literary work addressed to adults, published by Scribe Publishing.
She kept pace with modern times by producing interactive videos accompanying her works, crowning her career with the book “Basma: A Letter and a Story,” which was celebrated by the Lebanese Book Club.
Today, author Basma Salman Obeid continues her journey with pen and paper, with new literary projects for children and adults awaiting the light of day. Hers is a story that does not end with the turning of a book’s pages; rather, it is a message to every aspiring heart that life begins at the very moment we resolve to claim our dreams.
