Digi-YESS Laser

Bassima Sweid

Bassima Sweid, a dedicated participant in Digi YESS program, initially struggled with technological limitations, particularly in areas such as word processing and using email. She recognized these gaps in her digital skills and actively sought ways to transform them into strengths.

She was determined to make a meaningful change in her life by acquiring new skills. Bassima aimed to enhance her digital competence, particularly in computer basics, programming, and web design. Furthermore, she understood the importance of improving her ability to use data analysis tools, which were crucial for advancing in her career.

Through the program, she learned the ins and outs of computer basics, email, website design, and logo creation. Through team collaboration, she developed her teamwork abilities, and the Design Thinking sessions helped her cultivate a creative problem-solving approach.

Bassima’s journey culminated in the creation of her own project, “Octogo,” an app designed to help high school students manage their time and organize their study plans. The app allows students to find suitable tutors, learn in their preferred style, and assess their knowledge through mini quizzes, helping them focus on areas needing improvement. The app was developed using tools like Figma and AI for design purposes, allowing Bassima to apply everything she learned during the program.

Reflecting on her personal growth, Bassima now feels more equipped for her future endeavors. She plans to continue developing her technology skills and hopes to empower others by sharing her knowledge. Her goal is to become both a consumer and a creator in technology.

Bassima’s Reflection on Her Journey:

‘The program not only gave me the tools to improve my technical abilities but also helped me grow as a person. It gave me the confidence to take on challenges, adapt to changes, and keep pushing forward. I feel prepared for the future now, and I am excited to keep learning and contributing to the digital world. This journey has truly shaped who I am today, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.”

Bassima’s journey is a testament to the power of education, persistence, and the willingness to embrace change in the face of challenges thanks to the Digi-YESS program and Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund.

Her Inspirational Quote: “Make every day an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday.”

Aicha Massri

Before joining the program, Aisha was deeply passionate about technology but lacked a clear understanding of how to integrate it into her life and future career. She faced challenges in acquiring digital skills and mastering design thinking and was searching for an opportunity to enhance her abilities. Aisha decided to join the program to improve her technological and soft skills while refining her approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Initially, Aisha struggled with effective communication, teamwork, and creative thinking. She also wanted to strengthen her design thinking and become more adept at using modern technological tools. The program gave her the skills she was seeking, including time management, analytical thinking, and teamwork. Aisha learned how to approach challenges positively, plan for her career, and leverage technology for personal and professional growth.

During the program, Aisha contributed to the development of a tech project focused on building an app called “Peerfect.” The app aimed to help students better understand their lessons and overcome academic challenges. Through this project, Aisha applied her newfound skills in coding, machine learning AI, problem analysis, design thinking, and team collaboration. This experience significantly boosted her confidence in her abilities.

Aisha’s biggest challenge was her fear of failure. However, with support from the program, she overcame this fear and built a powerful sense of self-confidence. Upon completing the program, Aisha found herself with a clearer vision for her future and felt more confident in her ability to tackle challenges.

Aisha favorite quote: “Don’t wait for the opportunity; create it yourself.” This reflects her belief that success originates from within, and through determination and will, she can achieve her goals and realize her dreams. Looking ahead, Aisha aspires to continue her education in technology and use the skills she gained to develop her own projects. She dreams of working in a field that empowers youth through technology.

Aisha’s Personal Reflection: “Before joining Digi-YESS program, I wasn’t sure how to turn my passion for technology into something impactful. But this program helped me gain the skills and confidence I needed to succeed. I now have a clearer vision for my future, and I’m excited to use what I’ve learned to empower others. Digi-YESS program was truly a turning point for me, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn in such a supportive environment.”

Aisha’s participation in Digi-YESS program in partnership with Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund significantly contributed to her personal growth, helping her build a strong and independent personality.

Nadine Chami

Nadine, a 17-year-old Lebanese student, began her journey with Digi-YESS program unsure of what to expect. Initially, she questioned whether it would be worth dedicating her entire summer vacation to the program. However, as time passed, Nadine realized the value of the opportunity and embraced the challenge. The program not only helped her develop critical digital skills but also facilitated her personal growth and boosted her confidence.

Nadine was particularly focused on enhancing her public speaking abilities, gaining clarity on her future aspirations, and improving her overall personality. Through a combination of workshops, practical experiences, and mentorship, she successfully developed these skills, which are now crucial to her future endeavors. Digi-YESS program also introduced her to the professional work environment and university life, giving her the insight and confidence to step into the next phase of her academic and career journey.

One of the standout experiences for Nadine was working on a team project where she developed Holoschool, a website designed to make learning mathematics more accessible by using 3D geometric shapes. The project allowed her to apply the coding skills she learned during the program, providing a hands-on opportunity to see how technology can solve real-world challenges. Nadine also took on a leadership role within her team, which helped her refine her teamwork and leadership skills.

Nadine’s Reflection: “Joining Digi-YESS program was the best decision I could have made. It was a life-changing experience. I gained confidence in my abilities, learned essential technical skills, and developed a clear vision for my future. The mentors and peers I met along the way have had a profound impact on me, and I am truly grateful for their support. This program has given me the tools to succeed in the future, and I feel ready to take on whatever comes next.“

Nadine’s journey is a testament to the Digi -YESS program in partnership with Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund’s ability, to empower young individuals, helping them build not only academic and technical skills but also the confidence to pursue their goals and overcome challenges.

Nadine’s preferable quote is “Struggles shape us; through them, we grow stronger.”

Hiba Malas

Hiba Malas, a 17-year-old from Northern Lebanon, is currently studying Life Science at a public school where access to education in computers and technology is limited. Hiba dreams of integrating health professions with technology by creating innovative applications that streamline communication and workflows among healthcare providers. Her vision is to develop solutions that enhance collaboration and significantly improve patient care and health management.

Although Hiba had a computer at home, she lacked the skills to use it effectively and was too shy to ask for help. Her experience improved after joining design thinking training sessions, which boosted her confidence, helped her communicate more openly, and collaborate with classmates. Completing the ICT Essentials course was another turning point, enabling her to use her computer independently, especially for PowerPoint and online research. She also took university mini-courses in mobile programming, where she learned key concepts, explored different programming languages, and built apps using MIT’s block-based programming tool.

Hiba and her friends successfully developed an application titled “لبنان يقاطع” (Lebanon Boycotts) through the MIT program. The app aims to educate users about product boycotting, offering alternatives to boycotted products and allowing users to add new products to the list.

Abdullah Ammar

Abdullah Ammar, an 18-year-old Syrian, was forced to flee to Lebanon due to the war. Adapting to a new curriculum and language was challenging, but through hard work, he began to excel in his studies. He dreams of studying graphic design, though limited by beginner-level skills and a basic understanding of computers.

Upon joining Digi-YESS: The Digital Leaders Program, Abdullah began developing fundamental computer skills and learning how to navigate the internet safely. Through engaging talk sessions, he discovered that graphic design aligned perfectly with his interests, inspiring him to enroll in the UX/UI course during the second phase of his summer training at Beirut Arab University. Through this training, Abdullah learned the basics of graphic design, developed Photoshop skills, and mastered Figma, a collaborative web application for interface design. Applying his newfound knowledge, he teamed up with friends to create a project called “Food Track” using Figma

Figma

This initiative showcases Abdullah’s creativity and connection to his Syrian heritage. The “Food Track” page design promotes Syrian cuisine, particularly dishes from Homs, through a mobile food truck that travels across Lebanon. The project also includes an online platform where people can explore and share the menu, fostering a sense of community and cultural pride.