Syrian Youth Empowerment
George Batah (Syria)
As a high school student, George Batah was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship that enabled him to leave Syria and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Having personally experienced the challenges Syrian students face applying for scholarships and colleges abroad, he founded Syrian Youth Empowerment, a program designed to prepare Syrian high school students for higher education. George’s program provides TOEFL and SAT preparation classes, as well as one-on-one mentoring, to guide students from the Middle East through the college application process. The goal is to ensure talented youth gain access to opportunities to attend top universities in the United States and elsewhere. George intends to grow the program, working with students to achieve their academic dreams.
We fund programs or products that aim to positively impact the lives of communities (children, youth, families, etc.) affected by conflict and war in the Middle East.
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 innovative and groundbreaking technology that teach them literacy skills and improve their access to higher 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.
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.
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.