Skill-building for Unemployed Youth in Lebanon

Dear Friends,

This past year has been transformational for us here at Nawaya; we turned 10 in 2022, impacting more lives than ever through a growing roster of skill-building programs.

Before I dive further into this update, I'd like to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is through your constant support that we've been able to transform the lives of 12,000 people in Lebanon!  

Here’s a brief video of what this journey’s been like.

With so much going on around the world, and so many worthy causes vying for your attention, we feel blessed that you believe in ours.

As 2022 draws to a close, we’re now compiling our impact figures for the year, and building on the success, expertise, and strengths to launch new programs in 2023. 

I’ll be sharing these in the upcoming update!

For now, please join me in congratulating youth from the Employment Hub program for completing this rigorous, hands-on program, knowing that 65% of them have already found employment!

On another note, youth from the SPACE program also completed the full program, graduating and launching 25 community projects across Lebanon.

It’s heartwarming to see that despite Lebanon continuing to go through major turbulence, youth continue to take powerful action to shape their future.

Such are the following inspiring youth stories:

Earlier this year, Shuruk had been looking up volunteering opportunities but kept getting turned down because she was too young. She was referred to the SPACE program by a relative, and through it she launched a safe space for readers to be themselves without fear of opression. 

Steven spent months trying to find a job. It took a coach from the Employment Hub program to teach him to change one simple thing on his LinkedIn profile, and within two weeks, he got a job offer.

Nagham has graduated from university with a degree in computer science. She was painfully aware of the gap between her education and the skills needed for her to find work. She joined SE Factory and worked really hard throughout the fourteen weeks of the program. She was hired just a few days after graduating from the program.

Hasan has dedicated most of his adult life to supporting his mother and siblings financially after his father passed on. Being from a remote, rural town meant his opportunities were limited. He had to go to Beirut, the capital, for his education, and later, his work. Today, and through the ARED program, Hasan has been able to return hometown to launch and run a small restaurant in his hometown.

Lara’s father lost his job during the pandemic, he was the only breadearner. Motivated to help, Lara joined the TAFAWOQ program while working odd jobs and studying for a double-major at university. Through the program, Lara discovered her passion for marketing and landed a job just a couple of months after completing the program. 

Twenty-three-year-old Fatima is a biochemistry major with a master’s degree in plant and environmental biology. When the pandemic hit, Fatima decided she’d make the most of the lockdowns to join the entrepreneurship program, GIL, and launch her enterprise that produces affordable and highly in-demand Azolla-based fodder.

From all of us at The Nawaya Network, thank you for your donations! Your support helps to further our mission and is invaluable to us, thank you again!

Sincerely,

Links:

• Our journey