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A world-class education for young refugees
We give refugees and displaced teenagers the tools to change their lives and the lives of those around them.
From illiteracy to university-ready in just 6 years
Refugee children across the Middle East are being denied an education, leaving them vulnerable to child marriage and forced labour. We exist to break this cycle.
Where we operate in Lebanon, 6 in 10 Syrian refugee children have never been to school. Fewer than three percent graduate with a high school diploma.
Of the refugee and displaced teenagers that arrive at our education centres, 90% are unable to read or write. Through our award-winning programme, we pack 12 years of education into just six. By the time they leave, Alsama’s students are brimming with confidence and ready for university or skilled employment.
Students in full time education
Hours of education provided since 2020
Students believe they receive a high-quality education
Students offered scholarships to schools in the UK and UAE
See what we can do. Read our latest impact report
We're transforming the model for refugee education.
We eradicate illiteracy and innumeracy among our students in under six months – and that’s just the beginning. From Arabic to Art, English to Employability Skills, our students study a holistic programme that they themselves helped to co-create. Together, we’ve built a model for refugee education that’s changing life trajectories.
We're creating future leaders through cricket.
Our cricket hubs provide a platform for young refugees to learn leadership, resilience and unity. Cricket is the ideal sport to level the playing field – a non-contact game that boys and girls can play together. Our players discover the power of teamwork, discipline, and self-belief, all while aspiring to compete on the world stage.
We're empowering communities through social enterprise.
We invest in the communities we serve, for long-lasting, sustained and firmly-rooted impact. Our two social enterprises -- Alsama Studio and the Arabic Language School -- are led by mothers and students from the Alsama ecosystem.
Our G12++ certificate unlocks new opportunities for young refugees.
We believe there are no limits to what our students can achieve. The G12++ is our proprietary standardised exam and internationally-recognised certificate. It allows refugee and displaced students to prove high school-equivalent capabilities, opening the door to university entrance and skilled employment.
Even when bombs are falling,
our students are still learning
During the recent war in Lebanon, we’ve adapted and grown, so that no Alsama student is left behind. As we scale across the Middle East we’re taking those lessons with us.
We can rapidly pivot to one of three learning approaches – standard in-person teaching, online stop-gap teaching, and travelling – bringing the learning directly to refugee shelters.
In the face of conflict, instability and displacement, we remain committed to providing a consistent, world-class education for every student, wherever they are.
Maram was forced to leave Syria at age seven, fleeing ISIS
In 2014, seven-year-old Maram witnessed the horrors of war in Deir-es-Zor, Syria, as ISIS took control. Forced to flee with her family, they faced perilous conditions during their journey to safety in Lebanon.
Through Alsama, Maram discovers a new passion – cricket
In 2018, Maram discovered Alsama's cricket programme in Shatila. She knew nothing about the sport, but soon grew to love it, despite family resistance. Through cricket, she was also able to realise her leadership potential, going on to captain the girls’ team.
Maram joins Alsama as a full-time student
When Maram joined Alsama, she was illiterate and believed that early marriage was the only option open to her. But she quickly began to build skills in subjects such as English and IT, and realised that her future could instead be shaped by education.
Maram’s hard work is recognised with international awards
By 2024, Maram was offered a scholarship to a UK school, became a cricket ambassador for the MCC, and won the British Embassy’s ‘Ambassador for a day’ competition.
Following her time at Alsama, Maram has ambitious plans for the future
With a flair for business and finance, Maram aims to study Economics or Finance at a British university. She then hopes to return to Syria and help rebuild her country’s economy, all while championing the potential of girls everywhere.
Meet the students + staff who
make up the Alsama community
We have 2,030 children on our waiting list. Help us open our fifth education centre.
What’s new at Alsama
- 11 July 2025
- Blog articles
- 02 July 2025
- Blog articles
- 20 June 2025
- Blog articles
- 02 June 2025
- Blog articles
- 31 May 2025
- Blog articles
New horizons for refugee teenagers.
Alsama provides refugee teenagers in the Middle East with a world-class education, while transforming refugee education worldwide.
Keep up to date with our progress
Alsama Project is registered in the United Kingdom as a charity, no. 1191810. In Lebanon, Alsama Project is registered as an non-governmental, charitable organisation with the Ministry of Interior, registration no. 372/2021. In the US, Alsama Project is registered as a 501(c)3 organisation, registration no. 87-1842640.