About us
ABOUT US
Blossom Hill, a non-profit organization in New Canaan, was founded in 2009 by Shiva Sarram with a vision of a world where conflict-affected children thrive. Its mission is to invest in education programs for peace. Its target beneficiaries are children and youth (0-24 years) who have been affected or displaced by conflict and war in the Middle East/North Africa region. We implement a Fellowship program for social entrepreneurs and with a mere $2 million over the last 12 years, we have reached over 110,000 children and youth in 25 countries. Our programs are the one and only one of their kind in the communities we work in. They are impactful and are putting the boys and girls we reach on a path to a better future. Currently, we are running 14 programs in 12 countries including:
Blossom Hill Montessori-inspired Early Childhood Center for refugees in Jordan
Science education through a curriculum and kits that transcend language barriers in Greece
Science summer camps for refugees in Bridgeport and New Haven, CT
College coaching for Syrian and Iraqi youth
Blossom Hill Orchestra and conservatory quality music education in Greece
Sports for All and a girls empowerment program that promote social inclusion in Jordan
Psychosocial play therapy to help children overcome trauma of conflict in the West Bank
A UN-certified girls’ empowerment program for internally displaced girls in Syria
Blossom Hill Pads that produce and distribute environmentally-friendly reusable menstrual pads for girls and women in Afghanistan
Health clinics that provide free services for marginalized provinces in Afghanistan
Asylum and family reunification services for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece
Livelihoods program with literacy and vocational tailoring training for girls in Afghanistan
Coding school for girls in Afghanistan
Coding bootcamps for youth across 7 MENA countries
OUR MISSION
Blossom Hill funds innovative programs to promote education for peace.
OUR VISION
A world where conflict-affected children thrive.
VIEW FULL LIST OF PROGRAMS
We fund programs, projects and products that aim to positively impact the lives of communities (children, youth, families, etc.) affected by conflict and war in the Middle East.
TECHNOLOGY
Refugee children live under unusual and difficult conditions with little or no access to technology that can improve their lives. With our innovative programs, we are reaching a wide range of children with groundbreaking technology that teach them literacy skills and improve their access to higher education.
EDUCATION
Millions of refugee children are missing out on an education. Without an opportunity to learn, they risk becoming a lost generation with little chance for a better future. Through sustainable programs, our Fellows are working to ensure refugees can learn and develop the skills they need to succeed in life.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The development of the "whole child" from early childhood through adolescence is critical to long-term development and success of all children. Blossom Hill is committed to providing innovative initiatives for refugee children that will not only prepare them for learning and academic success, but empower them with life skills as they continue to live under difficult conditions.
JOB TRAINING
For refugee youth whose education has been interrupted and ability to earn a livelihood undermined by war and conflict, the future is bleak. We are dedicated to empowering these youth to break from the cycle of poverty by offering innovative vocational training in computer skills, business entrepreneurship and language instruction.
