Al Alfi Foundation Enhance STEM Education for Refugee Children in Egypt
Cairo, 2021 – In a dedicated effort to make educational programs accessible to all segments of society, and providing opportunities for underrepresented groups, particularly refugee children in Egypt, Al Alfi Foundation, in cooperation with UNHCR and Catholic Relief Service (CRS), facilitated the participation of 23 refugee children of various nationalities, aged 7 to 14, in a STEM summer camp organized by Nutty Scientists. This week-long camp in July introduced the children to futuristic STEM careers through interactive, project-based activities covering subjects like robotics, coding fundamentals, and engineering. The camp not only focused on scientific learning but also emphasized the development of 21st-century skills such as communication, problem-solving, creative thinking, and project management.
Continuing these efforts, in August 2021, the Foundation hosted the Wonders of Science Camp in collaboration with UNHCR Egypt and 1001 Inventions. This camp welcomed over a hundred refugee children in Cairo, immersing them in the marvels of science through a week-long program.
On World Refugee Day, June 20, 2022, UNHCR Egypt and the Swiss Embassy in Cairo marked the occasion with a celebratory event. The event was graced by prominent figures, including H.E. Nivine El-Qabbage, Minister of Social Solidarity. During this event, UNHCR and Al Alfi Foundation signed an agreement to provide 1,500 refugee children in Cairo access to their STEM program for the year, implemented by 1001 Inventions and hosted at the GrEEK campus. This program offered experiential learning aimed at igniting a passion for science in children, helping them understand experimentation and critical thinking principles.
The sessions were dynamic and engaging, allowing children to envision themselves in various scientific roles, from architects to chemists to environmental advocates. Each day concluded with captivating science shows that demonstrated the wonders of science, significantly boosting the children’s enthusiasm and imagination. The children also learned about historic scientists like Al-Zahrawi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn al-Haytham, whose contributions continue to influence the modern world. To extend their learning journey beyond the summer camp, each participating child received a copy of the “1001 Inventions & Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization” book.
In 2023, the “STEM for Refugees” series of one-day camps was launched by Al Alfi Foundation, Baseet, UNHCR, and CRS. This initiative catered to 200 refugee children, offering them engaging, interactive STEM learning experiences, science shows, and educational kits for continued learning at home.
These programs have been a successful celebration of diversity, inclusion, and self-expression, showcasing Al Alfi Foundation’s strength in reaching different segments and providing exceptional opportunities for effective learning and capacity building. By focusing on the educational needs of refugee children, these initiatives have not only fostered a love for science and technology but also equipped these young learners with the skills necessary for future success.
About UNHCR Egypt
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives and protecting the rights of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. It works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. The main objective is to help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.
About Catholic Relief Services Egypt
CRS Egypt supports economic opportunities for refugees, women and other marginalized groups. CRS Egypt’s current interfaith action strategy promotes collaboration between Muslims and Christians in at-risk communities in Egypt to reduce interreligious conflict through community action.
About Nutty Scientists
Nutty Scientists is the world leader in edutainment; education through entertainment. Using creative methodologies that are fun and interactive, Nutty Scientists have managed to perform their shows for more than five million children all over the world every year.
About 1001 Inventions
1001 Inventions is an award-winning, British-based organisation that creates international educational campaigns and initiatives aiming to spark young people’s interest in science.
1001 Inventions believes in the power of culture and storytelling to encourage innovation and promote diversity and inclusion. As such, 1001 Inventions produces themed transmedia productions uncovering fascinating contributions of lesser-known pioneers from Arab, Asian and other Eastern cultures. Such creative public engagement productions cover a wide array of themes including health and wellbeing, machines and robotics, chemistry and its applications as well as animals and nature.
1001 Inventions has engaged with over 450 million people across the globe through effective grassroots outreach as well as working with a network of international partners, including UNESCO, the United Nations World Food Programme, National Geographic and leading academics to produce interactive exhibits, shorts films, live shows, books and educational resources that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.
About Baseet
Baseet is a UAE educational-scientific organization that empowers communities through quality education and capacity development. Baseet provides education, science communication, and outreach services to foster innovation, engage the public with STEAM, and accelerate green transformation.
About Al Alfi Foundation
An independent philanthropic foundation established in 2008 focuses on human and social development through education and capacity building for Egyptian scientists, educators and gifted students in STEM education in Egypt.
We aim to build a knowledge-based economy and empower Egyptian youth for a sustainable future.
