An Innovative Arabic Program Helping Children in Refugees
In the summers of 2023 and 2024, AlifBee partnered with Abjad Initiative to deliver Arabic language education to children living in informal refugee camps in northern Syria.
The initiative reached 154 children aged 8–14 through a series of 4–5 consecutive educational cycles. Many of these students had dropped out of school or struggled with low academic achievement due to displacement, early labor, and limited access to formal education.
By combining AlifBee’s digital Arabic-learning tools with Abjad’s on-the-ground educational support, the project demonstrated how technology-supported learning can restore access to education even in the most fragile contexts.
Why Arabic Education Was Urgently Needed in Syria
Children in informal camps in northern Syria, more in the years 2023 – 2024, faced chronic educational disruption. There was widespread school dropout due to war and displacement.
Economic hardship and social constraints in the camps further led to learning loss. Many children left school to work at an early age and missed foundational Arabic literacy skills as a result.
Also, almost all children in the camps lacked stable learning environments, which made it challenging to stick to learning programs or traditional education. On the other hand, caregivers had limited awareness of long-term educational impact, especially for children at an early age.
Without intervention, these gaps risked becoming permanent barriers to learning, identity, and future opportunity.
The AlifBee × Abjad Partnership: Delivering an Immersive Arabic Learning Experience
The partnership brought together complementary strengths. On the one hand, AlifBee provided structured, child-friendly Arabic learning technology through its Arabic learning App.
The app “AlifBee” is designed to support reading, vocabulary, and independent learning through interactive exercises and an engaging learning approach. These features were essential for the children. They facilitated learning and worked as a motivation for continuous learning.
On the other hand, Abjad Initiative ensured local access, supervision, and educational continuity inside refugee camps where traditional schooling was unavailable. Their support was also crucial in introducing the technology to children and in countering any challenges that may arise.
This was not a one-off intervention. The program ran across multiple consecutive courses during the summers of 2023–2024. This allowed for refinement, repetition, and sustained engagement for those who retook the program, while expanding the program’s reach to new learners.
Goals and Strategy: Building Foundational Arabic Skills Through Structured Arabic Lessons
Primary Objectives
This project, which was named “The Linguistic Lab,” aimed to achieve the following objectives
- Restore access to Arabic language learning for out-of-school and low-achieving children
- Strengthen basic Arabic literacy and learning confidence
- Re-engage children with structured education in a supportive environment
Educational Approach
The project relied on a technology-supported, supervised learning model:
- Smart devices loaded with the AlifBee Arabic-learning app
- Guided use under the supervision of trained facilitators
- A safe, child-friendly learning environment
- Continuous monitoring and end-of-cycle evaluation
This approach balanced self-paced digital learning with human support, which proved essential in humanitarian contexts.
Target Groups and Reach
Children Served
- 94 low-achieving students (ages 8–12)
Children enrolled in supportive learning centers but struggling with literacy and school commitment. - 60 out-of-school adolescents (ages 11–14)
Children who had completely disengaged from formal education.
Total reached: 154 children
Locations
The project took place in informal camps in northern Idlib countryside, including:
- Al-Iman Camp
- Al-Yaraa’ Camp
Implementation Timeline
Each cycle lasted three months, with the first documented cycle running from:
July 22, 2023 – September 22, 2023 (Each Arabic course lasting 2 – 3 months)
Due to strong engagement and positive outcomes, the program continued through multiple consecutive summer courses across 2023–2024.
Outcomes and Observed Impact
Facilitators in the two camps reported clear improvements in almost all children covered in the project, including:
- Increased engagement with Arabic letters and words
- Improved reading confidence
- Greater consistency in attendance
Renewed interest in learning among children previously disengaged
Challenges and How They Were Addressed
Like most education projects in humanitarian settings, the project faced challenges:
- Limited access to stable infrastructure
- Mixed learning levels within the same group
- Emotional and motivational barriers among learners
These were addressed by:
- Close supervision and flexible pacing
- Repeating learning cycles across multiple courses
Combining digital learning with supportive human interaction
Key Lessons Learned
Digital tools work best with human guidance.
The AlifBee app was at the heart of the learning experience as a steady companion in the classroom with its clear structure, gradual progression, and child-friendly design.
Still, it became clear that the app worked best when facilitators guided children through it—sitting beside them, helping them navigate lessons, and reassuring them when they made mistakes.
Consistency matters more than intensity.
One of AlifBee’s strengths was its ability to support repeated, consistent use across multiple learning cycles. As the program continued through consecutive summer courses, children returned to the same familiar interface and learning rhythm.
This consistency was very helpful to the stability of the experience. Instead of starting from zero each time, children picked up where they had left off. Over time, the app became part of their routine, ensuring sustained progress.
Arabic literacy restores more than skills.
Through their continued interaction with AlifBee’s Arabic lessons, learning began to feel less intimidating and more achievable. Completing a lesson or moving to the next level gave children small but meaningful wins.
These moments mattered. The app helped children rebuild confidence and experience learning as something safe and possible again.
More about AlifBee & Abjad
AlifBee is a digital Arabic-learning platform designed to help learners read, write, and understand Arabic through structured, interactive content.
Abjad Initiative is a youth-led educational organization working to restore learning opportunities for Syrian children affected by conflict and displacement.
