Changing the Future for Refugee Youth

Since September, Tom has been working with Alsama Project, an NGO headquartered in Beirut’s Shatila Refugee Camp. Alsama is dedicated to transforming the educational landscape for refugee youth in Lebanon who have been denied formal schooling. Through its non-formal education centres, it offers life-changing opportunities to hundreds of teenagers who the traditional education system would otherwise overlook. 

At the heart of Alsama’s mission is the belief that education is imperative to empower and uplift everyone – no matter your background. Currently, over 880 students are enrolled across four centres, most of whom are teens who’ve experienced years of disrupted schooling. Given their volatile and disruptive backgrounds, 95% of Alsama teens have no prior formal education, starting out as illiterate and/or innumerate, potential victims of child marriage or child labour. In under five months, they thrive, achieving literacy and numeracy, and are eager for more. 

This year, Alsama faced its biggest challenge yet. Heavy bombardments in Beirut massively disrupted their operations, forcing them to temporarily close. Many of the students had to leave their homes. Staff too. 

Nevertheless, Alsama’s top-year students remain ready for the next stage. Despite their academic growth, these students lack access to a formal, globally recognised certificate—an essential step if they want to move forward. To address this need, Alsama has developed the G12++, a certification designed specifically for refugee youth.

The G12++ is the world’s first exam-based qualification created for displaced youth, providing a pathway for students whose education has been interrupted. Developed with support from Oxford MeasurEd, Cambridge Assessment, and the University of Leicester, the G12++ aims to assess both core academic skills and essential life skills like problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. It’s rigorous yet accessible, designed to give students a recognised credential that reflects their true capabilities. 

Tom notes: "My background at KES taught me the importance of a nurturing educational environment—one that encourages students to exceed their expectations, develop their interests, and grow emotionally. KES is all about fostering resilience, curiosity, developing the confidence to pursue goals—values that I see reflected in Alsama’s approach."  

As part of the Alsama’s Strategy and Development team, he is involved in supporting the growth of the G12++. They are currently planning to beta-test the exam with around 200 students from NGOs globally, working towards international accreditation to ensure that universities and employers globally will recognise the G12++ as well as exploring digital formats, so it can be accessed by students in even the most hard-to-reach refugee camps. The ambition is for the G12++ to become a global standard for refugee youth by 2040, providing a pathway to higher education and employment for displaced students worldwide. 

"Working alongside the Alsama team has been humbling, and it’s a privilege to witness the transformative power of education. The students’ determination and resilience are reminders that, given the right tools, every young person can reach their full potential, no matter their background."

If you’ve been inspired by what you have read and would like to learn about how you could support Alsama, Tom would love to speak to you. There are various ways to get involved, including internship opportunities and making a donation at https://alsamaproject.com/donations/ or email Tom directly at g12@alsamaproject.com.