Name, role, duration of Volunteer

Hammam Al-Khatib, one of the initiative's founders.

When did you start your volunteer work as a group, and how many members do you have now?

We started on 02/02/2024, and we currently have 100 volunteers from all Syrian governorates.

What motivated you to establish this group?

Utilizing the determination of young individuals to create a direct impact on society.

A brief about the founders

A group of high school students from the Excellence Schools in Sweida, who have participated in the Syrian Scientific Olympiad and other competitions, achieving several accomplishments in this field. They share similar goals, mainly aiming to improve society practically, which led them to establish the initiative.
The founders are:

Hammam Al-Khatib
Kiwan Kiwan
Jad Harb
Orouba Nader

What activities and services do you provide?
Educational Activities: Supporting students participating in the Syrian Scientific Olympiad across all categories, as well as engaging in various activities related to the Excellence and Innovation, such as school debates. We also organize training courses for ninth-grade students and those preparing for admission exams to Excellence Schools.
Social Activities: Visiting social care homes in Suwayda, as well as some health institutes, and participating in community support activities such as the "Basket of Goodness" campaign.

In which governorates do you operate?

Suwayda.

What is your motto or philosophy in volunteer work? What are your primary areas of focus?

• Our motto is: "Together – We Learn"
• Our philosophy is that youth are the foundation of society and the primary path to building it.
• Our approach is "youth educating youth", and we primarily focus on education and social activities.

How can individuals join your group and participate in your activities?

The volunteer registration opens every three months and is done by filling out the application form at this link

Do you provide training or orientation programs for new volunteers?

Not directly, but each volunteer receives individual guidance.

What requirements or skills do you look for in volunteers?

While academic achievement is considered, the primary focus is on the volunteer's motivation, which is assessed through the questions in the application form.

Do you collaborate with other organizations or groups? If so, what is the nature of these partnerships?

We collaborate with volunteer teams in Suwayda to implement joint initiatives, including:

• The Red Crescent
• Yousef's Friends Team
• Family Planning Association
• Shams Volunteer Team
• Daleel Al-Shabab Team in Latakia

Do you receive support from governmental or non-governmental organizations (local or international)? If so, what kind of support?

We are under the sponsorship of the Syrian Virtual International School (SVIS), which provides us with space for Olympiad training sessions, School debate training sessions. Additionally, they offer financial support for social activities that require funding, such as visits to care homes.

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

Limited public awareness of our activities.
Lack of a dedicated space, making it difficult to hold meetings for volunteers spread across Syria.
Financial constraints that limit the number and quality of our activities.

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

So far, we have not received financial support from the public, but we are always welcomed and encouraged in our efforts.
We accept financial and logistical contributions, and any form of support is greatly appreciated.

What is your vision and future plans for expanding or developing your activities?

• Increase the number of young volunteers through awareness campaigns in schools and universities to highlight the importance of charity work and encourage active participation.
• Expand our services to include new fields that contribute to improving the quality of life in targeted communities.
• Organize training programs to develop volunteers' skills and increase their efficiency in carrying out charity activities effectively.
• Build partnerships with other charitable organizations and international companies to enhance our capacity and expand our impact.
• Leverage technology and social media to promote our initiatives, increase engagement, and spread awareness.