3 refugees from Zataari camp receive scholarships from Harvard Student Agencies Academies

AMMAN — Three refugees from the Zataari camp received scholarships from the Harvard Student Agencies Academies and attended a 16-hour course on business and entrepreneurship as part of Blumont TIGER Project (These Inspiring Girls/Guys Enjoy Reading) that is supported by the UNHCR, targetting girls and boys aged 12-17.

Blumont is an NGO that works for the benefit of refugees and host populations.

As part of TIGER’s continuous efforts to support its participants’ skills development, the First Institute for Training and Education (FITE) donated the course fees, which total to JD 600 for the three students, according to a Blumont statement.

“Cooperation FITE and Blumont has led to the training of Syrian refugee students. We welcome the cooperation for telecommuting in light of the changing world that will create livelihood opportunities for refugees in the Zaatari camp,” said Gamal Yacout, the head of UNHCR Mafraq Sub office, Jordan.

Blumont Jordan Country Director Caroline Haddad thanked FITE for their support.

“We are proud of our children as the first and only Syrian refugees participating in this course. This is a true example that shows the importance of TIGER Project in bridging the gaps in education and encouraging academic advancement,” Haddad said.

Over three weeks, students took virtual classes on market research, competitive analysis, business planning, and many other topics. At the end of the course, students made a presentation to showcase their achievement.

Adnan, 14, was extremely happy to participate in this course. 

“Adnan is very persistent and he always participates in the English language courses given by Blumont. Participating in Harvard course, made him more confident and it motivated him to pursue his education in the future,” his mother was quoted in the statement as saying.

Miguel Vega, Harvard University Student Instructor, said: “Thank you for being a part of the business academy programme. All of your presentations were very impressive and showed amazing growth over the past three weekends.”

Samah Abu Khalil from FITE said: “The student mentorship access to the Harvard Student Agencies Academies and the life lessons that each of the students gained were fantastic experiences for each student.   Harvard University’s philosophy is very similar to FITE’s belief in diversity, inclusion and educational rights for everyone, we are so pleased to be working with a partner with a similar vision.”

Blumont implements TIGER Project as part of the Community-Based Protection Programme supported by the UNHCR. TIGER consists of five interactive components: The TIGER life skills curriculum, community service, access to English and Arabic courses, and access to e-learning services. Students will also have access to life-skills development in support of their future aspirations, capabilities and interests for which students will receive assessments on their skill development.

Blumont is a global organisation working in concert with local communities to design and implement innovative approaches to build infrastructure, deliver lifesaving humanitarian assistance, and foster opportunities for long- term stability and economic development, the statement said.

Since establishing an Amman office since 2003, Blumont has worked to support refugees and displaced persons, provide health services, and improve community resources for vulnerable Jordanians, according to the statement.