Vocational Education Stream

NAFAAL : Nurturing Ambitions for Future Advancement and Autonomous Livelihoods –LOST

About LOST

The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), established in 1998, aims to empower and engage Lebanese people to live in dignity and peace by respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights. LOST focuses on creating a developed and equitable society by reducing poverty, eliminating exclusion, and fostering a culture of peace, with a particular emphasis on youth and women. With 13 operational branches, LOST addresses various sectors including food security, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), governance, social stability, women and youth empowerment, health, and protection. It prides itself on its experienced local staff, well-established network, and strong reputation for quality, transparency, and accountability.

Target: 600 youth

Program Description

The NAFAAL program provides comprehensive vocational training, personal development, and career-ready skills to vulnerable youth (ages 17-35) in the Baalbek-Hermel and Beqaa regions. By providing focused instruction in functional skills, life skills, and competency-based vocational training, participants gain the necessary knowledge and abilities to improve their economic self-sufficiency and resilience. After finishing the program, participants are connected with employment prospects through internships and work-based learning or provided assistance in launching their own enterprises. This transformative journey offers ongoing assistance and supervision, guaranteeing that participants are adequately prepared for long-lasting means of living and future job prospects.

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Nour Al-Din Al-Kurdi: A Transformative Odyssey Through the Lens of Video Editing – NISCVT

Nour Al-Din Al-Kurdi

Nour Al-Din Al-Kurdi’s journey, marked by transformation through video editing, unfolds as a testament to the profound impact of skill development. A young Palestinian with a background in history, Nour Al-Din faced the challenges of displacement from Syria in 2015 due to the war. However, he turned adversity into opportunity by enrolling in a video editing course and delving into amateur photography.

Completing the course and securing an internship, Nour Al-Din not only enhanced his personal skills but also discovered a passion for empowering others. Today, he shares his expertise by offering training to university students eager to improve their visual production skills, all from the comfort of their homes. Nour Al-Din’s commitment to empowering others serves as a beacon of resilience and self-discovery, transforming personal challenges into opportunities for both skill development and financial success

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Syrian-led textile manufacturer expands in Jordan by employing refugees and women – Spark-IsDB

When the Syrian crisis erupted in 2011, Issam resided in Darayya, a suburb of Damascus in Syria. In response to the escalating situation, he and his family were obliged to seek refuge in Jordan. “Becoming a refugee in a new community was an unimaginable experience,” said Issam. Fortunately, they were familiar with the language and culture of the region, which eased their transition into the new environment.
A few months after arriving in Amman, Issam knew that he needed to provide for his wife and children as well as keep himself busy, so he returned to his profession as a tailor. “Rather than sit without a job and dwell on my lost home, I found it useful to roll my sleeves up and get to work in the profession I knew best,” he says.
Issam scraped together all of his savings and borrowed money from friends and relatives. Put together, he had enough funds to open his own small sewing factory in Downtown Amman called Al-Hour Al-Eeen Factory. Starting with just three sewing machines, Issam’s vision was to not only establish a business but also to contribute to the broader community by employing three Syrian refugees.

Within a short span of time, Issam had attracted numerous customers and forged valuable connections with traders, due to the remarkable quality and pricing of his products. In 2016, as demand surged, he made a pivotal choice to expand his factory operations. The workforce grew from three employees to a team of twelve, and his goals extended to include women’s employability and empowerment, by offering flexible working hours for Syrian refugee women.
With technical support from SPARK, through its partner International Group for Training (IGIT), under the Skills Training Education Programme (STEP), financed by The Islamic Development Bank and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, Issam underwent a comprehensive training in various fields. He participated in courses covering accounting, strategic planning, social media marketing, and financing.
Equipped with this newfound knowledge, Issam expanded his business significantly. Currently, he employs over 25 workers to manage the machines, with an additional five employees working in administration and six staff members in the showrooms. After a decade of dedication to his company, the total number of employees has now reached 35.

 

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From Civil Engineering to Coding: Ahmad’s Journey of Ambition – ASAC

Ahmad Al Mohammad

Ahmad Al Mohammad, a determined Syrian youth, found himself amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Syrian war in 2012. Forced to flee to Jordan, he embarked on a journey of reinvention and ambition.
Despite his background in civil engineering, Ahmad harbored a deep-seated desire to delve into the realm of programming. Seizing the chance provided by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair School of Advanced Computing (ASAC) at Luminus, funded by the Al Ghurair Fund, Ahmad enrolled in a Python Development course.
With each passing day at ASAC, Ahmad’s skills flourished, and he soon found himself in the role of a teacher assistant, imparting his knowledge to fellow students. Reflecting on his journey, Ahmad expressed profound gratitude for the “golden opportunity” afforded to him.

“Through this opportunity,” Ahmad remarked, “I not only honed my technical skills but also imbibed the growth mindset fostered at ASAC. Learning how to continuously improve and adapt has made me more competitive in the job market.”
Ahmad’s story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

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Wael Kaddoura: A Transformation from Civil Engineering to Top Software Engineer – Alfanar

Wael Kaddoura

Wael Kaddoura’s remarkable journey unfolds as a testament to determination and continuous self-development. At the age of 23, equipped with a civil engineering background, Wael encountered challenges securing a job in his chosen field. Undeterred, he decided to pivot, driven by a profound interest in coding, leading him to enroll in a transformative bootcamp with SE Factory funded by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Fund.
Fueled by a desire for professional growth and a meaningful impact on the tech world, Wael’s commitment and hard work stood out as he excelled in the bootcamp, ultimately graduating at the top of his class. This accomplishment paved the way for his entry into the tech industry as a Junior Software Engineer at Wafeq in the UAE.

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Sadeq’s Inspiring Journey from Vocational Education to Career Success – ASAC

Sadeq

Sadeq’s success story highlights the Fund’s program impact, emphasizing the value of combining technical and soft skills in today’s job market. As a graduate of Luminus’s Automotive Technology program in 2021, Sadeq now works at the Korea Electric Power Corporation in Jordan. He underscores how vocational education not only imparts automotive skills but also equips learners with market-relevant expertise and English proficiency. His blend of technical and soft skills played a crucial role in securing him the position of Assistant Manager. Sadeq highlights the practicality of career readiness and time management courses, essential for his job’s punctuality demands.
In his role, Sadeq inspects various electric and hybrid vehicles, providing detailed reports for mechanics. His journey is a testament to continuous learning, resulting in personal milestones and improving his family’s livelihood. Sadeq’s father, initially skeptical about vocational education, now values its impact on his son’s life and family well-being. Sadeq’s story exemplifies the importance of supporting programs that empower youth with diverse skill sets for success in today’s competitive job market.

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Niveen’s Story: A Single Mother’s Journey to Empowerment-ASAC

Niveen

Niveen, a resilient 26-year-old single mother raising her 4-year-old daughter, found herself at a crossroads. Having married young and unable to finish her high school education, she faced the daunting challenge of providing for herself and her child after deciding to divorce her husband due to their difficult circumstances.
Despite opposition from her family, who questioned how she would support her daughter alone, Niveen remained determined. She bravely pursued her decision to divorce and set out to find opportunities to better her situation.
One day, while scrolling through her Facebook feed, Niveen stumbled upon a post from Luminus advertising scholarships funded by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. The opportunity ignited a spark within her as she had always harbored a passion for fashion design. Without hesitation, she applied and was accepted into a training program in fashion design.

As she delved into her studies, Niveen felt her life transforming. She saw new possibilities opening up before her. “Now, I can create my daughter’s own clothing designs and sew them,” she exclaimed with pride. Not only did she gain newfound skills, but she also shattered stereotypes within her family. “My parents are so proud of me, and I’ve changed their whole perspective on single mothers and their capabilities,” she reflected.
Emboldened by her success, Niveen secured a position with a clothing factory, where she now works tirelessly to support her daughter’s education.

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Show me Lebanon App – DoIT 1

Lebanon App

Sara, Zeinab, Ali, Mostafa, and Ali are youth trainees who have joined the Mobile Application Development training conducted by DOT Lebanon and supported by the Al Ghurair Fund. After participating in the training, the team was able to build a mobile application called “Show me Lebanon” which encourages tourism and ecotourism in Lebanon by highlighting several attractions in the country. “Show me Lebanon” aims to promote tourism in Lebanon by creating a website that makes it easier for people to find the most beautiful places in Lebanon.

This application offers a vast majority of news about summer and winter activities that tourists can enjoy while visiting Lebanon.
These youths are very proud of their achievement as they are trying to make an impact in their community. The application is currently under development.

Below are photos from the designing phase of the application and of the team working on it.

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Dynamic Team: Hospitality and Business Support Track in Akkar – Tashgheel LASER

In a collaboration that combined creativity and innovation, Taghreed Dannawi, Omayma Adawiye, Mohammad Moussa, Rania Younes, Mirvat Sayed, Rania Ayoub, and Iman Zahraman united their talents to form a dynamic team known as “Seven Skills”. Their collective passion for excellence led them to partner closely with Omar Salah El Dine, a visionary business owner. Together, they embarked on a transformative journey to elevate his business through strategic branding.
Guided by their meticulous planning and unwavering dedication, the team orchestrated a compelling branding strategy that captured the essence of Omar’s business. Their vision resonated so powerfully that Omar enthusiastically named the project “Nasmet El Qammouaa,” symbolizing the blossoming of his venture under their creative guidance.
The innovation didn’t stop there. Utilizing the dynamic platform of Instagram, “Seven Skills” harnessed the power of visual storytelling. Through engaging reels that showcased their ingenuity and Omar’s business, they captivated audiences far and wide. Their efforts bore fruit as their reels garnered an astounding 106.7k views, a testament to their ability to capture attention and generate genuine interest.

 

This collaboration between the team and business owner exemplifies the synergy that arises when a diverse group of talented individuals converges with a common purpose. Their success story underscores the potential for innovation and impact when creative minds pool their expertise. “Seven Skills” not only breathed new life into Omar’s business but also showcased the heights that can be reached through strategic collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence.

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Beyond Boundaries: Lojain’s Inspiring Journey – DOT Jordan

Lojain Al-Hteabat

Lojain Al-Hteabat, a resilient Jordanian from AlKarak, embarked on a transformative Micro-works training with DOT Jordan funded by the Abdul Al Aziz Al Ghurair Fund. Her passion for coding and web development flourished during an internship where she crafted a dynamic website for Zaqzouq Muay Thai “Alpha Academy.”
Post-training, Lojain seamlessly transitioned into an ICDL teaching role, but her geographic distance from Amman posed a challenge. Undeterred, she envisions a future where she not only excels in teaching but also thrives as a freelance coder. Her story is a testament to overcoming limitations and transforming challenges into stepping stones toward a future of boundless success. Lojain’s journey inspires us to reach beyond boundaries and embrace the limitless possibilities within our grasp.

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The Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund is administered by the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education (AGFE).

Contact Us

For any General or Program enquiries:  refugeeeducation@alghurairfoundation.org

For Media related enquiries: pr@alghurairfoundation.org

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