- Community programmes: Community programmes implement a number of programmes that uses the latest technologies to help young people develop their lives and improve their communication and interpersonal skills within a safe and interactive environment.

The community programmes were launched in 2008 and have reached more than 1000 young people to date. We have implemented several programmes in Homs and Lattakia within the framework of our two main programmes: “Volunteer" and "Debate."

• “Volunteer Programme”: This programme provides voluntary services such as environment, health, teaching and others, aiming at contributing to raising social awareness of such themes and boosting the sense of citizenship and responsibility among young people through meaningful use of technology. The Volunteer Programme was launched in 2007 and it’s young participants (14 to 17 years old), have participated in many projects, including:

Recycling Project:The Recycling Project tackled environmental challenges with the view that this was one of the mostimportant community issues. Participants chose to raise awareness about paper recycling in local communities and utilized this process to help people in need.Our participants established contacts with one of the biggest paper-recycling factories to sellcollected papers and, by doing so, to support children suffering from cancer.

The young volunteers collected papers, books, and cartons to promote awareness of paper recycling. They developed a presentation and visited schools and used radio and TV channels to support their project. The collected funds benefited children with cancer in Lattakia.

The website for this project is www.allcanrecycle.com

Learn How to Drive Project: The Learn How to Drive Project aimed at highlighting the risks of using the internet, adopting safe surfing practices and promoted a change in attitude among Syrian teenagers regarding their internet habits. The project also aimed at improving the negative attitude of the society towards ICT, a clear need arising from the survey done by Massar participants. The project trained participants to become trainers and improved their IT skills, making them more employable in the market.

A mini-book called “learn how to drive” which contains basic information about computers, internet and the risks over the internet was published and distributed in Lattakia schools. The distribution of this mini-book was part of a campaign to promote the recycling site and spread awareness of the importance of ICT in general and the internet in particular.

The website for this project is www.useinternetsafely.com

Volunteering Database Project: The Volunteering Database Project is aimed at creating a database of voluntary work in Syrian governorates. All info is uploaded to www.syrianvolunteers.com, and the website has become a guide for those interested in volunteering with NGOs, and for NGOs that are looking for volunteers.

• “Debate Programme”: This programme gives training in formal debating techniques and has brought young people together from around the world to exchange views and argue points, both online and in the real world. It aims to create local debate clubs nationwide to host debates and dialogue sessions in which young people (14 to 17 years old) debate a range of important life topics. The goal is to create a unique space where young people can express their views and develop basic skills in dialogue, communication, persuasion, constructive critique and respect for other’s right of expression.

Community Programmes Photos: