Hussein Alfadawy: Computer Literacy to Employment

At just 13 years old, Hussein’s life has already been marked by hardship and resilience. Born on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, he and his family fled to Lebanon in 2016, settling in the Bekaa Valley as refugees. Though he attended school until the 5th grade, his education came to an abrupt halt in 2022 when his father suffered a stroke. With his family struggling to make ends meet, Hussein had no choice but to leave school and start working to support his loved ones.

But in 2024, an opportunity changed his trajectory—the Future Skills Project, implemented by Jusoor and supported by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. The program, now in its third iteration, equips young Syrian refugees with essential 21st-century skills, from critical thinking to English language proficiency and coding. For Hussein, who had been out of school for years, this was a lifeline.

When he first joined, Hussein had never even used a computer. The program began with two weeks of computer literacy training, teaching him the basics—how to navigate a keyboard, use software, and most importantly, conduct online research. Learning to search for information opened up a new world for him, allowing him to independently find answers and expand his knowledge.

The skills he gained had an immediate impact. Shortly after completing the program, Hussein secured a job at a mobile shop, where he was responsible for data entry and assisting customers with software-related queries. For someone who had never touched a computer before, this was a remarkable achievement.

“Before this program, I didn’t even know how to turn on a computer—now I help people fix their phones,” Hussein shares with pride. “The short time I spent in the Future Skills Project helped me take on these tasks confidently. It gave me hope that even without school, I can still learn and succeed.”

Though his journey has been far from easy, the program gave him the tools to build a better future. Today, he is not just a survivor—he is a young professional with newfound hope, proving that even in the face of adversity, education can light the way forward.

Through Jusoor’s Future Skills Project, students like Hussein are gaining the skills they need to thrive, no matter where life takes them.