Name, Role, and Volunteering Duration:
Ayham Fayssal Maklad, Founder & Chairman of the Board

When did your activities as a volunteer group begin, and how many members do you have now?
The journey of the "Friends of Youssef" team began on January 21, 2024, with 20 volunteers. Today, the team has grown to 95 volunteers.

What motivated you to establish this group?
The establishment of the "Friends of Youssef" team was inspired by their loyalty to their friend Youssef, a young, ambitious man who loved humanitarian work but fell victim to treachery at a young age. His death motivated the members to honor his memory and continue his humanitarian mission. This was also driven by the challenging circumstances faced by Syrian youth after the crisis, whether economic or social.

Most young people have become part of a vulnerable group, forced to take on financial responsibilities and prioritize work over academic pursuits. These transformations have created significant challenges that hinder opportunities for growth and progress, leading to catastrophic effects on society as a whole.

Hence, the urgent need arose for the "Friends of Youssef" team, which aims to empower youth by providing training courses, workshops in various university disciplines, and practical, developmental, and humanitarian fields. The main objective is to help these young people improve their academic and professional skills, enabling them to effectively enter the job market.

The team also focuses on supporting ninth-grade students, high school students, and students in general by providing academic assistance and helping them navigate these educational stages completely free of charge.

About the Founders:
The team was founded by a group of ambitious and conscious youth holding university degrees and characterized by high cultural awareness. They were brought together by their love for knowledge, volunteering, and their belief in their friend Youssef's message.

What activities and services do you offer?
The team aims to raise the educational level of students in Suwayda and other governorates by providing essential support to ensure their academic success.
We offer a variety of activities and services, including:

• Conducting training workshops for university students from different disciplines to enhance their academic and professional skills.
• Sharing professional knowledge and practical advice needed by students during and after their university studies to facilitate their transition into the job market.
• Facilitating access to information by providing direct communication between students, academic specialists, and experts in various fields.

Which Provinces do you operate in?

• Suwayda and its affiliated villages
• Rural Damascus, and some surrounding areas.

What is your motto or philosophy in volunteer work? What are your main focus areas?
At "Friends of Youssef," we believe that education is the key to a better future. Therefore, we dedicate our efforts to supporting economically and academically disadvantaged youth in Suwayda.

Our philosophy is embodied in our motto: "We build bridges of knowledge with our spirit together and become a bridge for students to cross toward their dreams." We work as a unified team to help students achieve their academic and professional aspirations.

We focus on:

• Enhancing academic performance through workshops.
• Sharing professional knowledge.
• Facilitating access to information by connecting students with specialists.

As an independent and non-profit volunteer team, we have managed to achieve a tangible impact in a short time, benefiting 964 students from our educational programs. We continue our work with determination to make education accessible to all, helping students cross toward their desired future.

How can individuals join your group and participate in your activities?
Interested individuals can contact the team through our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information on how to join and participate, alternatively we can be contacted on 00963996637403.
Activities and workshops are announced on social media platforms, and individuals interested in participating can register through these platforms.
Students and volunteers can also participate in the training workshops we organize based on relevant disciplines and topics.

Do you offer training or orientation programs for new volunteers?
Yes, providing training programs for volunteers helps improve team efficiency and enhance the quality of support they offer to students.
Volunteer training programs include:

• Effective communication skills to better interact with students and specialists.
• Time management and planning for efficient event organization and goal achievement.
• Basics of teaching and training for delivering information in engaging and simplified ways.
• Dealing with vulnerable groups to understand the challenges faced by students and how to support them effectively.
• Leadership and teamwork skills to foster team spirit and achieve better outcomes.
• Marketing and social media communication to raise awareness about the team's programs and attract more beneficiaries and supporters.
• Report writing and documentation to ensure information preservation and effective impact assessment.

Additionally, fundamental training includes:

• Basics of volunteer work: The concept and importance of volunteerism, volunteer rights and responsibilities, and ethics.
• How to create a positive and sustainable impact.
• Event management and organization: Planning and executing events and workshops, role distribution among volunteers, and performance evaluation to improve future experiences.

What are the requirements or skills you look for in volunteers?
We seek passionate volunteers who believe in our mission to support students and enhance their academic opportunities. Preferred skills and qualities include:

• Commitment and responsibility: The ability to adhere to deadlines and assigned tasks.
• Effective communication skills: To interact with students and specialists clearly and impactfully.
• Teamwork: The ability to collaborate to achieve shared goals.
• Patience and a positive approach, especially when helping students with different educational levels.
• Technical or academic skills depending on the activity, such as teaching, design, digital content management, or event organization.
• Creativity and problem-solving to contribute to developing initiatives and improving student experiences.

Do you collaborate with other organizations? If yes, what is the nature of these partnerships?
Although we do not have permanent partnerships or funding from any entity, we always seek collaboration with various institutions and organizations that share our goals and values. The "Friends of Youssef" team has collaborated with many volunteer teams in different fields, organizing joint workshops, training events, and volunteer projects aimed at supporting and empowering youth academically and professionally.

Additionally, we participate in rapid response campaigns out of our duty toward the community, providing assistance during emergencies and helping alleviate the suffering of others. We believe that collaboration with different organizations enhances our ability to achieve our goals and expands our impact on society.

Do you receive any support from governmental or non-governmental organizations (local or international)? If yes, what type of support?
To this day, we have not received support from any entity.

What are the main challenges you face as a volunteer team?

• Difficulty obtaining financial resources to fund training courses or purchase necessary equipment.
• Security instability in some areas affects the team's ability to safely reach students or conduct activities.
• Difficulty accessing certain areas to reach beneficiary students due to geographical restrictions or lack of transportation.
• Weak digital infrastructure: Some students face difficulty accessing the internet or the necessary devices to participate in online courses or activities

How can the public support you? Are there specific ways to donate or contribute?

• Financial donations: The public can support the "Friends of Youssef" team through financial donations that help cover the costs of training courses, educational materials, and organizing events. To make financial donations, you can contact the team leader directly via the provided contact numbers.
• Resource or tool donations: If available, the public can donate educational tools such as books, computers, or technological devices that can help students with their learning.
• Promotion and participation: Engaging with and sharing information about our activities on social media and inviting more people to join or participate.
• Institutional partnerships and support: If institutions or companies are interested in sustainable support, strategic partnerships can be established to ensure the continuity and success of projects.

What is your vision and future plans to expand or develop your activities?
We aim to be a genuine bridge supporting Syrian youth across all regions and expanding our activities to include more governorates and cities, contributing to their academic and professional empowerment.

We aspire to:

• Expand the network of training courses and workshops to cover a wide range of disciplines and practical and developmental fields that interest youth, meeting their growing needs.
• Collaborate with more local and international institutions and organizations to secure the necessary support in education and social work, enabling us to offer diverse and specialized services to students and volunteers.
• Develop e-learning platforms to allow a larger number of youth to access training courses and educational materials remotely, especially in remote areas that are difficult to reach.
• Provide professional programs and specialized courses to elevate young students in fields such as programming, design, project management, and other areas that provide job market opportunities.
• Continue participating in rapid response campaigns and offering assistance to communities affected by crises, fulfilling our social duty to support those in need.