AMMAN
— For refugees whom have been living in camps, a tech training program has
brought skills training and place to explore their creativity, since it was
established in 2018 by the
UNHCR.
اضافة اعلان
Innovation
Lab is based in all of Jordan’s Syrian refugee camps. It was designed as an
all-inclusive space to develop new skills, explore creative impulses, and
follow through on ideas in a space that is supportive for participants of all
ages and genders.
“Zaatari
camp was established in 2012. We are talking about a whole other generation
that is being raised inside the camp,” said Mohammad Al-Taher, external
relations officer at UNHCR. “UNHCR and our partners, we support refugees, with
their ideas and dreams. We help them implement their ideas.”
The
initiative provides multiple different trainings, including in topics such as
robotics, recycling, 3D printing, coding, and artificial intelligence. All of the
trainers are members of UNHCR who are volunteering their time.
Marwan Al-Zaabi, Innovation Lab coordinator, told
Jordan
News: “When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Jordan, there were multiple robots
that were worked on and are currently being updated and improved.” Using their
resources, the lab was able to give online lessons to continue the trainings
during the lockdowns.
The
programming hopes to combine education with fun. Zaabi explained that “3D
printing is new to the camps. We are currently working and teaching (students)
to make prototypes.”
Since
the Innovation Lab has been involved in the camps, they have also included
members of Jordanian host communities who can join the trainings under specific
circumstances.
Currently,
about 70 percent of the lab’s beneficiaries are girls and women. Alaa Al-Qasem,
the lab’s social media coordinator told Jordan News: “I have noticed that when
the refugees arrived in Jordan, they were nervous to let their daughter do
anything. However they have become more aware from seeing the volunteers in the
camps from different partners; they have become aware of the fact that they
should allow the girls to get an education, a chance.”
“We
try to help them think of ideas and we support them to implement them,” Zaabi
said.
Read more
Lifestyle
.jpg)
.jpg)
