Vocational Education Stream

Manal Abdul Muhaymed: Weaving Triumph Beyond Borders – Digital Citizenship Project–Borderless

Manal Abdul Muhaymed

Meet Manal Abdul Muhaymed, a 23-year-old Syrian refugee in Lebanon who turned tough times into a tale of strength and inspiration. Despite facing challenges in education, Manal didn’t give up. She changed her story by getting a degree in Lebanon, even though her Syrian one was rejected after three years of studying in a Lebanese university.
Manal then ventured into interior design, where her creativity found a new home. Her journey took an unexpected turn when she joined the Digital Citizenship program by Borderless supported by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Fund. Through this digital adventure, she landed an internship in social media, overcoming language barriers and discovering her talent for English. Her ambition grew into a successful blend of interior design and digital marketing, creating a fulfilling livelihood.

From being shy, Manal emerged as a master of platforms like Google Ads, YouTube, email, and LinkedIn. The program not only taught her new skills but also guided her through life’s challenges. Manal’s story is now an anthem of empowerment, proving that challenges can lead to transformation. She encourages others to embrace uncertainty, drawing from her diverse journey – from education to fitness programming, data analysis, to interior design, and digital marketing.
As a pioneer among her peers, Manal dreams of a freelancing future, breaking free from traditional career paths. She actively contributes to the community through voluntary efforts with “Hemmet Shabab” and NGOs, spreading the message of empowerment and the transformative power of chasing dreams beyond borders.

Read more

Shahed El Sheikh Hamzeh Path to Livelihoods: An Ambition to Open a Small Business – Digital Citizenship Project–Borderless

Shahed ElSheikh Hamzeh

Shahed ElSheikh Hamzeh’s journey from Syria to Lebanon was marked by challenges that disrupted her education, including the trauma of war and the difficulty of adjusting to a new language and school system. Despite initially dropping out of school, Shahed’s determination led her to explore alternative education pathways, taking short courses in Entrepreneurship and English. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought new obstacles, with the shift to online learning exacerbating her lack of access to resources and support.
Amidst these challenges, Shahed discovered the Digital Citizenship program by Borderless, and supported by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Fund, a three-month initiative aimed at empowering vulnerable youth through market-driven skill-building courses. Recognizing the opportunity to continue her education and pursue her passion for entrepreneurship, Shahed joined the program with her parents’ support. Collaborating with her peers in the Digital Marketing course, Shahed developed a business idea centered around selling healthy cakes, inspired by her diabetic grandmother’s inability to enjoy traditional treats.
Through the program, Shahed honed her entrepreneurial skills, gained confidence in public speaking, and embraced her journey as a work in progress. Despite the initial stages of their business idea, Shahed and her team are eager to refine their concept and pilot it in the future. Her story underscores the transformative impact of high-impact education programs in empowering vulnerable youth like herself, emphasizing the importance of embracing spontaneity, learning from mistakes, and persevering through challenges.

Read more

Ytawel 3omrak Initiative- Delivering Pro-bono Medication – DoIT 2

Ytawel

In the picturesque hills of West Bekaa, Lebanon, Racha Kadri embarked on a transformative journey fueled by innovation. Enrolling in a course on digital media and business skills offered by DOT Lebanon and supported by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, Racha and her peers were equipped with the tools to thrive in a changing world.
Inspired by their newfound knowledge, Racha and her companions conceived the “Ytawel 3omrak Initiative,” aiming to provide free medication to those in need within their community. Leveraging their skills, they established a digital presence through a website and social media channels, expanding their reach to maximize impact.
Through their visionary initiative, they illuminated a path of hope and healing for those most vulnerable in their community.

Watch the success story here

Read more

From Refugee to Resilience: The Journey of Yasser – DoIT 2

Yasser

Yasser, a Syrian refugee who defied harsh circumstances, has begun a new life in Lebanon. Stepping out of his comfort zone, Yasser registered for microwork classes at DOT Lebanon through the DoIT2 project, funded by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. Thanks to his courage, determination, and the digital skills acquired during these classes, he embarked on a transformative journey of learning and opportunity. Not only did Yasser learn new skills, but he also secured a new job opportunity in data entry.

Success Story link

Read more

“Cake For You” Project by Malak – DoIT 2

Malak

Witness the inspiring odyssey of Malak, championed by DOT Lebanon and the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, culminating in the birth of “Cake For You” – an empowering online cake business for women in Baalbek – Lebanon. Through DOT Lebanon’s educational offerings, Malak honed her skills, transforming her passion into a catalyst for positive change. “Cake For You” stands not just as a business but as a beacon of empowerment, fostering independence and offering sustainable opportunities to women in the community. Malak’s journey exemplifies the transformative impact of education and entrepreneurship in creating a brighter, more inclusive future.

Watch the success story here

Read more

Empowering Children with Down Syndrome – DoIT 2

Introducing the extraordinary trio of Nojoud Mouaness, Abeer Kassem, and Ouhood Mouaness, united by a passionate mission to empower children with Down syndrome. Fueled by their individual journeys, these visionaries embarked on a transformative path, acquiring digital media literacy training through DOT Lebanon, generously funded by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund.
Armed with newfound skills, this dynamic team not only embraced their personal growth but also translated their collective vision into reality. Their commitment materialized in the form of an educational organization, a testament to the profound impact of turning inspiration into action. Through the fusion of personal experiences and acquired expertise, Nojoud, Abeer, and Ouhood stand as living proof that education, coupled with determination, has the power to bring forth positive change and uplift the lives of those they set out to empower.

Watch the success story here

Read more

The Journey of Team Haqqi – DoIT 1

Haqqi

A team of youth formed by Rana, Khaled, Salah, Basheer, and Bilal participated also in the training and created the application “Haqqi”.

“Haqqi” targets marginalized detainees and fresh graduate lawyers to eliminate inequalities. The main mission is to sustain the rights of arrested individuals by providing them with decent attorneys. The idea of the application was a response to the economic crisis in Lebanon, which left several individuals unable to afford a lawyer, thus becoming vulnerable to an unfair trial with no one to protect their rights and defend them.

Below is a screenshot from the “Haqqi” application and a picture of the team behind it.

Read more

Silent Harmony: Empowering the Hearing-Impaired Through Innovation – DoIT 1

Hiba

Hiba, a Palestinian student living in Lebanon, has identified the challenges faced by over 466 million people globally with hearing impairments. Motivated to make a meaningful impact, she conceived “No Deafference,” a mobile application designed to facilitate communication for the hearing-impaired community. The app harnesses the power of mobile cameras to capture sign language, seamlessly translating it into spoken language and vice versa. With a deep passion for music, Hiba envisions that the app could also enhance the enjoyment of music for deaf individuals by incorporating vibrations and synchronized lyrics.
Through a Digital and Media Literacy Training Program supported by DOT Lebanon and the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, Hiba brought her innovative idea to life.

Read more

Ali Al Miari: From Project Management Scholar to Eco-Entrepreneur – FLY program-ULYP

Ali Al Miari

Ali has successfully completed and secured his certificate in the Post Graduate Program in Project Management from UMass Amherst University and Simplilearn. Armed with his newfound knowledge and passion for environmental sustainability, Ali has embarked on a remarkable journey by founding EcoBlocks, a business with a mission to tackle the pressing issue of waste accumulation in Tyre, Lebanon.

EcoBlocks focuses on recycling and upcycling concrete, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of demolition waste on agricultural output and soil quality. Ali envisions a more environmentally sustainable future through his innovative approach to waste management.

Reflecting on his academic journey, Ali shares, “My academic pursuit in Project Management through ULYP FLY has equipped me with the essential theoretical knowledge required for effectively managing and launching a business. This comprehensive education covered various methodologies such as Agile and Scrum, enabling me to formulate and implement a robust business plan in practice.”

Ali has expanded his impact by initiating another project called “Plan Bee.” This independent endeavor involves the establishment of a bee farm dedicated to the production of fresh and organic honey. Ali’s story is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and deep commitment to creating positive change.

Read more

Empowered Echoes: Shiraz Al Amer’s Symphony of Change – Digital Citizenship Project–Borderless

Shiraz Al Amer

Shiraz, a 28-year-old Syrian refugee, embraced her challenges as steppingstones rather than stumbling blocks. Married at 18 and leaving school early, she dedicated herself to family life, but an unfulfilled potential whispered within her. Driven by the desire for her children to be proud, she courageously embarked on a quest to redefine her narrative.
Discovering Digital Citizenship with Borderless, Shiraz enrolled in a digital marketing course, confronting hesitancy and self-doubt. With Yara as her guiding star, the once-shy student blossomed into a confident force of nature. Yara’s mentorship transcended the classroom, impacting Shiraz’s family, marriage, and community.

Completing the course marked a new chapter. Recognizing her teaching prowess, her children’s school offered her a position as the first-grade teacher. Shiraz, now a symbol of empowerment, radiated pride before her students, family, and community. Her transformation resonated not only in her accomplishments but in the reflections of pride in her children’s eyes.

Read more

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

© Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. All Rights Reserved