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From Refugee to Executive Director
We are thrilled to announce Ibrahim Alaboud as our new executive director. Ibrahim is a former English student who worked in various capacities in the English program. Before becoming executive director, he led the English program as its manager. Two core values of Paper Airplanes are listening to students and providing opportunities for them to help shape and run the organization. We are delighted that Ibrahim will be able to draw upon his experiences as a former student and as a longtime staff member to lead Paper Airplanes into its next chapter.
To read more about Ibrahim and his journey with PA, please click the button below.
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
We are pleased to announce the release of the 2023 annual report
Join us today and become part of our mission!
Join us in our mission to make a meaningful impact and become a part of something extraordinary. You're not just joining a cause, but a community dedicated to empowering and uplifting people worldwide. Let's work together to create positive change and make a difference for those who need it most. Hurry up and become a vital part of our transformative journey!
Our Mission
Our mission is to bridge gaps in language, higher education, and professional skills training for individuals affected by conflict. By harnessing virtual learning technology and the benefits of peer-to-peer connections, we seek to provide a means to pursue educational and employment opportunities.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a global community where individuals impacted by conflict have equal access to transformative education and professional skills training. Through innovative virtual learning technologies and the power of peer-to-peer connections, we aspire to empower individuals to overcome linguistic, educational, and employment barriers, fostering a world where every person can realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Impactful Growth Over the Years
The English Program
In the English Program, our growth is more than just numbers; it represents the countless lives transformed through education and skills development. As we reflect on the past year's achievements, we are energized to continue our journey, reaching even more individuals, breaking barriers, and creating pathways to a brighter future for those affected by conflict.
Each year, we accept 400+/- new students in the English program in addition to an average of 500 returning students. We are proud to share that we reached 3229 students beginning from the age of 13 by the end of 2023.
In the 1:1 program, we match each student with a tutor. In addition, we assign 3-5 students to a tutor in the Speaking Classes program. Resulting in 4245 tutors contributing to our mission since 2014.
The Women In Tech (WiT) program
Our Women In Tech (WiT) program is the gateway for female students to delve into coding and digital expertise. We dismantle barriers to entry into the job market by learning Python, Business Analytics, and Web Development. Since 2017, we've positively impacted 675 women, witnessing remarkable outcomes.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Empowering All Genders: Impact on Female Student Growth
At Paper Airplanes, we are proud to have created an inclusive learning environment that serves individuals of all genders in conflict-affected areas. Our commitment to fostering equal opportunities has resulted in significant growth, particularly in the number of female students benefiting from our programs. The graph below shows the advancement in gender-inclusive participation in the past four years, particularly in the number of female students benefiting from our programs.
Broadening Horizons: Serving a Diverse Range of Nationalities
As we reflect on our journey, from supporting Syrian students to reaching individuals in conflict-affected regions globally, we are humbled by the resilience and determination of our learners. Our commitment to breaking down barriers to education remains unwavering, and we look forward to continuing our mission, expanding our reach, and creating lasting impact across nationalities.
Bridging Educational Gaps for Various Levels
We are committed to harnessing the transformative power of education across diverse educational levels. Whether students are navigating the challenges of secondary school or pursuing higher education, our mission is to nurture aspirations, break down barriers, and create opportunities for educational and professional growth. From guiding those in secondary school to supporting graduates seeking job opportunities, Paper Airplanes is dedicated to empowering individuals at every stage of their educational and professional journey.
Our Impact
Language Proficiency Advancement
Many beneficiaries have completed high school, earned a bachelor's, or obtained a master's degree. Their main challenge lies in English proficiency, a skill we address through our programs. At Paper Airplanes, students start at the appropriate level (A1, A2, B1, or B2) determined by a placement test, allowing them to progress towards their goals.
"From Virtual to Reality" Students and Tutors Share Memorable Moments After Years of Online Connections
Hamza Saddour and Evgenia Dimitriadi
Hamza Saddour, a dedicated student of the English program at Paper Airplanes, recently had the joyous opportunity to meet his tutor, Evgenia, in person after two years of virtual sessions.
Evgenia supported Hamza through crucial academic milestones, including his successful application for a full scholarship at Imperial College London. Hamza's nomination of Evgenia for Tutor of the Month/Year highlights the profound impact of their mentorship.
Samar Moussa and Wendi
Samar Moussa's journey with Paper Airplanes and her tutor, Wendi, exemplifies resilience and friendship. Despite challenges, Samar's dedication led to her receiving a scholarship to study in Barcelona and subsequently graduating with a Masters in Data Science.
Wendi's guidance and support were instrumental in Samar's success, showcasing the transformative power of mentorship fostered by Paper Airplanes.
Changing lives of students
We enhance employability by helping students overcome language and professional hurdles. Once they improve their English skills, we assist them in pursuing their desired careers or further education. Here, we proudly share testimonials from some of our students who have secured part-time jobs or scholarships.
Khaldon Homsi
Medicine Student, A Scholarship Winner
Radwan Kareen al deen
Computer and Automation Engineering, Full-Stack Developer
Digital Skills Empowerment
Empowering women in tech, our program cultivates success stories. Graduates showcase mastery in Python, Business Analytics, and Web Development, breaking barriers and championing diversity as future tech leaders.
Rana Al-Madhoun
WiT program student
Business analytics course, Spring 2023
Project Title
Evolution of Internet Usage Over Time
Shokria Muhsini
WiT program student
Python course, Fall 2023
Project Title
Creating A System To Store New Client's Information
What Our Students Say
“My confidence in speaking English has improved, and my other English skills have increased, especially in writing.
Paper airplanes provided the opportunity for me and others to learn English without any limitations, and also to learn more about other cultures”Hamza Alhamad
What Our Students Say
"Our generation is trying hard to see life in a new way and strive for the better. I am thankful for Paper Airplanes because they opened the way for us to know new people from different cultures and learn the language from its origins."
Luna Tayan, Syria
What Our Students Say
pre-intermediate"Currently, I am more confident in myself when I use English. When I started receiving lessons with Paper Airplanes I was in the pre intermediate level and currently, I'm at the advanced level."
Ismail Alhaj Osman, Turkey
What Our Students Say
"The most remarkable thing about the English program is that it gives us the chance to talk with native speakers and get to know other students worldwide, benefit from their knowledge and learn about their cultures through conversation groups like a small community."
Rama Ballan
What Our Tutors Say
“I have got engaged with the English program and women in tech program and enjoyed my time with Paper Airplane. I think it is helping me grow and my students as well, nothing can be rewarding more than that.
If you can teach Python, website/ business analytics, or if you can teach English then sign up for that, it has been super rewarding to be with Paper Airplanes and to communicate every week with the staff and students, I don't look at it as something I need to do but something I choose to do. I hope Paper Airplanes keep growing”
YordanaWhat Our Tutors Say
"My tutoring experience with Paper Airplanes helped me realize much teaching is a part of who I am. I thrive at careful listening and giving constructive feedback to others. Sharing what I know with students has been extremely fulfilling, and I look forward to assisting more students on their quest for development in English speaking. Paper Airplanes has exceeded my expectations in terms of organization and members' commitment, and the students are eager to learn and willing to make efforts. I enjoy rather than tolerate the time I commit to the program, and I look forward to more of it"
Bana Issa
What Our Tutors Say
"Without a doubt, I have developed leadership and communication skills unattainable elsewhere, as well as fostered a meaningful relationship with someone I never would have met otherwise"
Maisha Imam (fall 2017)What Our Tutors Say
"Tutoring for Paper Airplanes has been a truly rewarding experience. Both the tutor training and the student curriculum are of the highest quality, designed to meet the unique needs of Syrian students across the globe"
Theresa Brunker (summer 2017)
What Our Tutors Say
"Being an English teacher with Paper Airplanes has been a professionally satisfying and personally fulfilling journey. It's an honor to be a part of this transformative initiative, contributing to the lives of resilient individuals. I look forward to continuing this remarkable journey, sowing seeds of knowledge and watching them flourish in the global garden of education"
Maggie McIntyre
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