Annual Report
2015
Table of Contents
Who we are UNITE LEBANON YOUTH PROJECT
About ULYP.......................................................................................... 3 Word from the Founder...................................................................... 4 Word from the Director ..................................................................... 5 Our Programs ................................................................................... 6-7 2015 Programs at a Glance ............................................................ 8-9 Education and ULYP ................................................................... 10-11 ULYP’s Education Themes .......................................................... 12-21 Scaffolding for Independent Learning Community, Arts, and Sports IT and the Media
(ULYP) is a nonprofit organization (NGO #134) established in 2010 to propel a paradigm shift in Lebanon to a place where people
ULYP 2010 - 2015
U
the hopelessness and resistance that
previously. The message that “Diversity is a reason to celebrate, not discriminate” is starting to take hold with the 12,000 participants we
and work together
have worked with since inception.
for a better future.
Our Impact to Date
We offer equal
educational programs to
this” and “We are the same” rather than
overshadowed conversations with our participants
can co-exist, unite,
access to quality
LYP now hears phrases like “I can do
1,000 children who were at risk of dropping out of school are back at their desks, motivated and
instigate this shift.
Our Vision
learning again
1,000+ youth
400 women
who believed their
who “were once somebody’s
futures were non-
daughter and suddenly
Secondary, College, & Beyond
A united Lebanon where everyone
Sustaining the Impact Beyond the Intervention
has equal access to success and
existent are enrolling
the opportunity to reach their full
in or graduating from
ULYP’s Campus: Always Improving ............................................ 22-23 Events, Conferences, and Campaigns ......................................... 24-25
potential.
Our Mission
Donors and Supporters .................................................................... 27
Hundreds of are engaged in our early
children, youth, and women of today
years head start program
with the skills and knowledge they need to become active agents of
discrimination. 2
universities
To empower the marginalized
change for a better tomorrow, without
2015 Annual Report
believe in themselves again
preschool children
Board of Trustees ............................................................................. 26 Our Volunteers ................................................................................. 26
became somebody’s mother”
Over
Hundreds of vocational students are better equipped with the skills to apply for jobs and sit for interviews
200 girls rekindled their interest in technology through learning how to code
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A Word from Our
Founder
2
A Word from Our
Director
015 was an exciting year for ULYP. Last
ULYP has grown beyond my
year we began thinking in terms of
imagination. Our programs
W
alt Disney
As a result, our programs are now more solid,
once said,
holistic, and impactful. Our pool of participants has
large-scale change. This year, we started to witness a
have branched out to more
“Change is inevitable, but
grown, in terms of both numbers and geographical
paradigm shift in the communities we work with.
people and to include more
growth is optional.� Change
coverage. Our services have broadened to include
services. The fact that we work with different age
is a formula of cause or effect: we can either lead
new topics like gender-based violence, coding, and
groups in multifaceted programs is contributing to
the way to change and cause it, or simply be passive
cultural exchange. What has not changed is our
this paradigm shift. We are sowing different seeds
receivers and be affected by it.
commitment to education as a pivotal tool for social
This paradigm shift is apparent throughout the communities we work in. Mothers, children, and youth are more receptive of ULYP’s vision. For the students we work with, pursuing a college education is now the rule, not the exception. We are thrilled
everywhere, and the people of Lebanon are reaping the benefits and blossoming together.
In 2015 we focused on growth and embraced change, while always keeping an eye on our mission
change, our dedication to the children, youth, and women from marginalized communities, and our openness to new partnerships and ideas.
that graduates of our programs are undertaking
I am well aware that this is only possible with your
and vision. We are planting the seeds for the tree
higher-skilled jobs and/or graduate degrees. Children
support and the hard work of the team working
of change without veering away from our core
With your help and the hard work of the fantastic
who were at risk of dropping out are back at their
closely with me every day. I am thankful for all the
values, our commitment to education, and our non-
ULYP team, we have begun to turn the tides. I thank
desks, motivated and learning again. The list goes on
help we receive and will continue to count on it for
discrimination policy.
you all for your support in the various ways you
and on, yet the bottom line is this:
growth in 2016 and beyond.
The time for change has come,
and the shift has begun.
The key to this shift is education, and we are now, more than ever, committed to making quality education accessible to everyone. I hope that the new trend we are setting will endure, and I will
As always with change, we had to give up old
I look forward to 2016. Let us join hands and speed
paradigms to make space for new ones. We gave up
I am already looking ahead to ULYP2020 and
up this paradigm shift to bring on a better future for
thinking under the pressure of funding availability
planning for scaling up our programs and
all.
and made space for long-term planning by pursuing
positioning ULYP as a catalyst for social change.
new sources of funding and donations. We gave up
I hope you enjoy this annual report, which we
operating reactively and made space for a proactive
dedicate to education, hope, and change.
Melek El Nimer
approach. We gave up programs without long-term
personally continue to work hard to make sure it
impact and embraced activities that have built-in
does.
elements for sustainability.
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offer it.
Nicole Eid Abuhaydar 2015 Annual Report
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OUR PROGRAMS
The subjects I studied at ULYP helped me learn how to understand myself and to develop solutions to my problems.
O
ur programs are rooted in the conviction
Mahmoud, ULYP Program Participant
that children and youth should have
opportunities to learn not just to make a living, but to make a life; not just to survive, but to thrive; and not just to follow, but to lead. We believe that every person has something unique to offer, and we open doors for everyone to nurture their ideas, see the talent they possess, and gain a sense of pride. To ULYP, a marginalized person is not someone who lacks potential – they just lack the means of reaching it. We develop diverse interdisciplinary educational programs for all types of communities around Lebanon, including less privileged Lebanese as well as Palestinian, Syrian, and other refugees. ULYP’s programs focus on building social skills, problem-solving, child and human rights, and respect for others. ULYP expanded in 2015 to include new programs such as coding, business skills, and choir. We have also grown our network of partnerships locally and internationally to include Eton, the American Community School at Beirut, Ahliah School, Wellspring Learning Community, and United World Colleges. ULYP connects school-age children with these schools and facilitates the selection process; 24 students are now enrolled.
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2015 Programs at a Glance
Most Outstanding Mothers: Empowers mothers through English, basic IT and Internet skills, and lectures to re-inspire a passion for
United by Environment: Engages students
learning, promote independence, and open a
ages 14-18 to tackle environmental
door to future opportunities.
challenges through research, lectures, discussions, and hands-on creative activities.
Funder: Various
CIRCLE II: Targets children, youth, women, and caregivers to improve psychosocial well-
Funder: U.S. Embassy Beirut Small Grants
being through seven sub-programs designed
Program
to empower and educate community leaders of tomorrow. Programs also include hygiene Together Let’s Code: Brings the skill of
and cleanliness components.
coding to girls and encourages them to
Funder: UNICEF
pursue their capabilities in the IT world. Girls ages 10-13 learn coding and life skills and develop digital games. Funder: Microsoft
for
BRIDGE: Helps promising students
preschool aged children where learning is
achieve college aspirations through
viewed as a positive experience of inquiry
1) English language instruction, college
HAPPY:
A
head
start
program
and discovery, both indoors and out. Funder: Welfare Association
Harmony: Utilizes the power of peer-to-
art, drama, and conflict resolution classes
peer education to spread awareness amongst
give children ages 7-15 a chance to succeed
youth ages 16-21 of gender misconceptions
in school while improving self-expression,
and gender-based violence.
confidence, and mutual respect. Skills4Life: Educates and empowers
Funder: Various
Funder: FutureFirst - HSBC RARE: Empowers youth ages 16-19 to find
of school by providing them with skills and
and use their voices to become positive
school, and explore career options. Funder: European Union
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for Palestinian university students.
Palestinians ages 8-18 at risk of dropping out
confidence to unlock their potential, stay in
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training, and 2) Scholarships and stipends
Action for Children of Today: English, IT,
Project funded by the European Union
Funder: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
guidance, and college entrance exam
change by
makers
in
understanding
their their
communities rights
and
responsibilities. Funder: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives 2015 Annual Report
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EDUCATION & ULYP Education. Hope. Change. These three little words define our work at ULYP. Through education, hope is rekindled. With this hope, children, youth, and women work harder to change and become agents of constructive change. I’m grateful to ULYP for giving me this opportunity, for giving me a shoulder to lean on, and for opening the door to an education that changed me from helpless to hopeful. Fouad, ULYP Graduate ULYP continues to work through education as the catalyst for change. Leadership, team building, critical thinking, and student empowerment are some of the educational tools we use to help our participants become active agents of positive change. Since inception, ULYP has engaged over 12,000 participants in its educational programs,
I can simply call the program a life-changing
giving hope and instigating change. The main themes of our programs are presented
experience, because literally my whole life has
in this annual report in five categories: 1) Scaffolding for Independent Learning, 2)
changed because of Skills4Life. It is one of the
Community, Arts, and Sports, 3) IT and the Media, 4) Secondary, College, and Beyond, and
most successful programs that can change lots of
5) Sustaining the Impact Beyond the Intervention.
youth's lives. So I really hope that more students
2015 FUN FACTS
get the opportunity to participate in the program, especially Palestinians who are waiting for a breeze of hope that can take them out of the darkness and the hard environment they live in.
Douaa, Skills4Life Student
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Education
I love that the activities are all very engaging and hands-on. In school, we teach the kids about
Scaffolding for Independent Learning
learning to draw or learning to plant from a book. In Dibbiyeh, they learn how to plant by planting real plants and learn how to draw by witnessing real animals and recording what they see firsthand.
Scaffolding is one of the educational strategies we use in our programs at ULYP
Director of a Preschool Participating in the HAPPY Program
The term scaffolding comes from the engineering field, where support is provided to a structure until it becomes stronger and can stand on its own. In the ULYP programs, we support our children,
A
youth, and women and help them move
ction for Children of Today (ACT) was successful in its first year and received an
progressively towards greater independence
extension from its funder, FutureFirst - HSBC for a second year. ACT targets 200
in their learning process. ULYP scaffolding
less-privileged Lebanese, Syrian refugee, and Palestinian refugee children annually to
activities give participants the tools to build
supplement the limited education available to them. Program achievements include:
their own self-confidence, vision for a future, and capabilities to succeed. ULYP makes sure every participant in its programs feels valued
95%
89%
70%
of students reported better understanding of human rights
of students reported positive changes in behavior at school
of students reported improvement in grades
as a human being and is given a voice for selfexpression and growth. Our scaffolding programs include Skills4Life, HAPPY/Preschool, ACT, and MOMs
S
kills4Life targeted 1,000 Palestinian students at risk of dropping out of school and their 40 teachers over a period of two years. In partnership with the Welfare Association and INJAZ
Lebanon and funded by the European Union, the program achieved the following results:
Since participating in the MOMs program, I trust
89%
53%
74%
of students showed improvement in school behavior
of students showed improved English skills
of teachers reported benefits from Skills4Life
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that I can improve myself and I’m working on my kids to make this change at the same time.
MOMs Program Participant
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Education Community, Arts, and Sports
Art, music, drama, sports, and other valuable subjects are rarely allocated sufficient time and resources in schools. The reasons may differ: demanding curriculum, shortage of funds, inexperienced teachers, and lack of space, to mention a few. Yet, research has proven that these subjects are crucial for the holistic development of any person, particularly children. At ULYP, the arts and sports support hard work, language, creativity, selfexpression, critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and teamwork. These skills are non-negotiable for us, and we work hard to bring them to the students by complementing what schools are doing and filling in the gaps that may exist.
The CIRCLE program, in partnership with UNICEF, showed positive results in its first year and was expanded with CIRCLE II this year. Three of its sub-programs (Team Sports Camp, Choral, and Artists and Actors) leverage the arts and sports to provide development for the whole child and improve their psychosocial health.
Team Sports Camp is an opportunity for aspiring girl and boy football and basketball players to improve their game and sportsmanship on and off the field. The coaches of the Team Sports Camp reported that the program was beneficial for their players and for themselves, and they continue to implement its elements in programs outside ULYP. Choral is new for 2015. It brings music, singing, rhythm, and teamwork to participants in an educational setting. It teaches discipline, respect, and how to sing in harmony. At the program’s conclusion, the children perform for the community, and they get to be a star for the day. Artists and Actors is a weekend immersion program that brings students from remote areas for an opportunity to escape to a world of creativity. The parents of the young artists and actors reported a positive change in their children’s habits at home; they have become more responsible, more artistic, and better able to express themselves and their needs.
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Education IT and the Media
Harmony: No to gender-based violence (GBV), yes to living in harmony. Through drama therapy and team-building activities, the program promotes healthy relationships, exposes youth to the causes and effects of GBV, and shows them that harmony between genders is the only way to create a better future. Harmony, funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, draws on the credibility that young people have amongst their peers and leverages the power of theater and films to provide messages to the youth of today, by the youth of today.
The world today relies heavily on the use and power of technology and the media for practically everything. Through IT we communicate, we connect, and we work. Through the media we learn, teach, and reach bigger numbers of people. This impacts all of us, regardless of our socioeconomic status, background, religion, nationality, gender, or any other
Experiences come and go but this one will stay in my mind.
discriminatory factor. ULYP ensures that IT and media skills are included in
Harmony Program Participant
its programs. This gives participants opportunities to understand the function of technology, use it effectively, become critical consumers, and most importantly, leverage it for positive social change.
United by Environment: The environment does not discriminate between us; why
Our “IT and the Media” programs include TLC, United by
do we? United by Environment, funded by the U.S. Embassy Beirut Small Grants Program,
Environment, and Harmony
helped students ‘up-cycle’ waste and recyclables. They created environmentally sound designs, such as water heaters that run on solar power and vehicles that run on wind power. Additionally, the students disseminated what they learned using short videos that invited their peers to unite for the environment.
Together Let’s Code (TLC): To code or not to code is no longer a question. The future is coding, and the future starts now. TLC brings tender loving care and the skill of coding to underprivileged girls. The program encourages them to explore their capabilities in the world of technology, thanks to Microsoft and UNICEF.
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This summer, ULYP instated a new tradition: the celebration of
Education Secondary, College, & Beyond
our university graduates. ULYP invited all of its recent university graduates to its campus and held a “Celebration of Education” event to recognize and applaud their hard work and success.
Today I was asked to come here and inspire the university graduates. And indeed, I am getting inspired by all of you. You are the future, you are the leaders of tomorrow, and you are the hope of today. Dr. Mohamad Zakaria
S
econdary education is the gateway to higher education. Higher education is associated with a number of benefits for both the degree holder and their family, including improved health, increased equity, and better social conditions. ULYP works
Bridge UPC: Bridge UPC engages capable 10th and 11th grade students with SAT preparation courses and offers career and college counseling. At the end of this process, participants take their SAT exam and apply to universities in Lebanon and abroad.
with capable students from secondary schools and vocational institutions in Lebanon to
Bridge Scholarship Programs: Students with college acceptances are matched with
prepare them for success. We have seen the students’ personal success in their education
scholarships that ULYP negotiates and fundraises for. This removes the pressure of the
and careers spill over to their families and communities. At ULYP, quality secondary and college education is key to sustained personal and professional success and to inspiring positive change within communities. Our “Secondary, College, & Beyond” programs include RARE, Bridge University Preparatory Course (UPC), and Bridge Scholarship Programs
price tag of pursuing college education. The services of Bridge have expanded to include assistance in finding employment and/or pursuing graduate studies. In 2015, 383 students sponsored by ULYP were enrolled in universities. Our alumni network is 132 strong and is now a recognized organization that we will mobilize in 2016.
ULYP has helped me from Day 1. When I started at AUB, they always followed up with me, asking about my progress and studies throughout my four years. Even after I graduated, ULYP’s help and support did not stop, as they helped me in applying to many jobs. I am truly grateful. Hiba, ULYP Graduate, Currently working at the AUB Center for Research and Innovation RARE: Rights And Responsibilities Empowerment prepares students in vocational schools to successfully seek jobs through understanding the job application process, work ethic expectations, and conflict resolution / management. As a result of the program, 96% of participants said they now have a better understanding of conflict resolution and 88% said that the sessions helped them to peacefully solve a conflict in their lives.
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Education
The training provided me with new ideas I can now apply in my classroom with my students
Sustaining the Impact Beyond the Intervention
and that I can also use in my personal life.
ToT Participant At ULYP, sustaining the impact of an intervention is as important as the impact itself. In fact, we believe that the impact should not only be maintained with our participants but should also be mainstreamed in their regular programming. ULYP includes training of trainers /
In 2015,
171 teachers participated in our Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops.
teachers in each of its programs to ensure the abilities are sustained – sustainability.
ULYP’s environment vis-a-vis the participant’s environment:
Q
When a participant concludes a program with ULYP, they go back to their own environment, which may not be conducive to supporting the changes made at ULYP. Is ULYP worried that all the work will be
Q
ULYP’s facilitators vis-a-vis the teachers and caregivers of
A
ULYP’s answer: The teachers, caregivers, and administrators
the participants: When a program is concluded and impact is measured reflecting positive change, how does ULYP ensure this impact is sustained?
undone? ULYP’s answer: No! We believe that once an individual has
A
experienced first-hand their own potential, performed a task with confidence, and seen results, the seed of change is planted. In fact, that experience will never disappear. Its impact will resurface,
who participate in our programs with their students are the key to maintaining, mainstreaming, and sustaining the impact. Accordingly, ULYP conducts a capacity-building workshop to pass
immediately or eventually, to help them overcome the setbacks
the baton and equip teachers and caregivers with the knowledge,
and challenges of their environments. How many of us say that
skills, and materials they need to continue working with their
we are who we are today because of a teacher or a seminal
students at large along the same path. These workshops take
experience way back in our childhood?
place towards the end of each program to ensure that change has occurred at three levels: knowledge, attitude, and skills.
The seed, ONCE planted, WILL blossom.
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ULYP’s Campus Always Improving
2015 was a year of proud growth that even included growth of our campus. Our basketball court is now covered, allowing our children, youth, and women to use it yearround, rain or shine. This was made possible by ULYP’s friends in Dubai who helped us raise the necessary funds. If you visit our campus in Dibbiyeh, you will find children playing basketball, soccer, and other games in addition to women from our MOMs program practicing yoga, on the basketball court and soccer field. Our Art and IT studios have been upgraded and are now better equipped to serve our participants. Thanks to donations from the Jerusalem Fund and the Welfare Association, these rooms are state-of-the-art studios that offer our participants access to quality equipment and space. This enables us to achieve our goal of providing equal access to quality education for all. Numerous activities take place in these rooms: from creating mosaics to coding, art, IT, SAT prep, and college counseling. Our music library has also grown to include wonderful musical instruments, thanks to UNICEF and the CIRCLE program that we implement through their partnership. New percussion instruments and music boards have been added to our music studio, and these have enhanced our new choral program, amongst others.
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On November 12th 2015, the Welfare Association, ULYP, and INJAZ Lebanon held
EVENTS
the closing conference of Skills4Life. Skills4Life was a two-year project funded by the European Union providing Palestinian children and youth with vital education and self-development opportunities. The conference was attended
Conferences & Campaigns
by stakeholders from the business, education, and NGO communities, and by students who benefited from the project. The students shared their experiences, and our partners reflected on the impact, challenges, and lessons learned from the project.
2015
2016
July Event: Celebration of Education for ULYP Graduates
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September
October
November
Campaign: Shoe Collection – Beirut
Campaign: Caring
Conference:
Marathon
Coats Drive
Skills4Life
Association
December Online Campaign: Sunnara Knitting Program Fundraiser
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Donors and Supporters
Board of Trustees The ULYP Board of Trustees continues to be the bedrock of ULYP’s management and
Adalet & Wajih Nakkash
European University of Lefke
PACES
members into our community. The Board generously dedicates its time to support
Ahliah School
Palestine International Institute
us in managing our growth and exploring new impactful programs. Their input and
Ahmad Al Sari
Fidelity Assurance & Reinsurance Co. S.A.L.
contributions are invaluable.
Amal & Rima Hourani
overall direction. We are excited to be growing; this year we welcomed three new active
Elias Baz Caroline Clark Rana Hadid Nimat Kanaan Yusuf Kan’an Mohammad Mattar Adalat Nakkash Hanna Nassar
American Community School at Beirut American University of Beirut American University of Science and Technology
Beit Jiddi Foundation Bilgi University
Our Volunteers “Volunteers are unpaid not because they are worthless but because they are priceless!”
Social Support Society
Huda Kitmitto
Spark of Hope The National Institution of Social Care & Vocational Training
Koc University
The Omar and Rula Asali Foundation
Lama & Ali Kolaghassi Lebanese American University Leila Straus Leonard Education Organization Inc.
Blue Rose Compass
Liban Jazz
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
Lina & Youssef Abou Khadra
Consolidated Contractors Company
Maher Abu Ghazaleh
We are lucky to have a dedicated and selfless team from all walks of life. They are teachers, artists, business people, dentists, doctors, actors,
Dar Al-Handasah
psychologists, and much more; but above all, they are
Daughters for Life Foundation
ULYP’s family. Some of ULYP’s graduates, who were
DukeEngage
once receivers of our community service, return to
Eastern Mediterranean University
from around the world to give their time and energy for
Saudi Bin Laden Group
Bilkent University
Cyprus International University
ULYP to give back. Our volunteers come to Lebanon
Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation
Jerusalem Fund
Youssef El Zein
Salaam International Investment Ltd.
Girne American University
Americans for Children of the Middle East
Beirut Marathon Association
Rifaat Nimer Foundation
FutureFirst- HSBC
INJAZ Lebanon
Melek El Nimer
First National Bank S.A.L.
American University of Sharjah
Bassam Aburdene
Rada & Mu’taz Sawwaf
European Union
The State of Qatar via Qatar Development Fund The Welfare Association Tonia & Zafer Chaoui U.S. Embassy Small Grants Program UNICEF
Maria & Wael Bayazid
United Nations Relief and Works Agency
Medipol University
United Palestinian Appeal
Microsoft – YouthSpark
United World Colleges Lebanese National Committee
Munib Masri Development Foundation
University of Balamand
Muna Al Gurg
Wellspring Learning Community
Nabil Soubra
Worldwide Travel and Tourism
Near East University
Yeditepe University
the benefit of countless children, youth, and women. Not only do they brighten our days and warm our hearts, but they also help us to keep costs down so that we maximize our impact on the communities we serve. 2015 Annual Report
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Nonprofits are the intermediaries between generosity and social change. – Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen
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E ducation . H ope . C hange .
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