A world-class education for adolescents in conflict-affected areas
We give illiterate youth in conflict-affected areas the tools to change their lives and the lives of those around them.
From illiteracy to university-ready in just 6 years
Adolescents in conflict-affected areas across the world are being denied an education. This severely limits the opportunities available to them, leaving them vulnerable to child marriage and forced labour. We exist to break this cycle.
We operate in Lebanon, where only 2% of displaced youth finish secondary school, and in Syria, where 40% of school-aged children are out of school.
Of the refugee and displaced teenagers that arrive at our education centres, 90% are unable to read or write. Through our WASC-accredited, 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 higher education or skilled employment - with the certificates to prove it.
Education Centres
Students enrolled in our centres
Students believe they receive a high-quality education
Of our graduates have entered higher education
We're transforming the model of education for conflict-affected adolescents.
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 education that’s changing life trajectories.
We're creating future leaders through cricket.
Our cricket hubs provide a platform for refugee and displaced youth 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 conflict-affected adolescents.
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 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 war in Lebanon, we adapted and grew, so that no Alsama student was left behind. We learnt in 2024, building an emergency model fit for uncertain times.
We rapidly pivoted 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
After graduating from Alsama, Maram has won a full scholarship to study Business with Cardiff Met at MUBS, Beirut. Alongside her degree, Maram is working as an apprentice in the Alsama development team. She hopes to use her degree and apprenticeship experience to help rebuild Syria’s economy and champion 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 sixth education centre.
What’s new at Alsama
- 05 June 2026
- Blog articles
- 05 May 2026
- Blog articles
- 13 March 2026
- Blog articles
- 28 February 2026
- Blog articles
- 20 February 2026
- Blog articles
Awards and Prizes
New horizons for refugee teenagers.
Alsama provides illiterate adolescents in conflict-affected areas a world-class education, while transforming educational opportunities 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.