As an online mentoring software provider, we see ourselves as enablers. We aim to enable our corporate partners to engage in impactful and measurable mentoring, we aim to enable our mentoring participants to reach their potential, and we aim to enable our NGO partners to actualize their mission. This is why when we were introduced to Talent Beyond Boundaries, an NGO dedicated to creating international employment opportunities for refugees, we were thrilled to support their amazing cause and empower their beneficiaries via our mentoring solution.
Currently, Talent Beyond Boundaries supports close to 4.000 women in Lebanon and Jordan, whose refugee status prevents them from pursuing their professional ambitions and often makes them victims of exploitation in the informal labor market. With re-settlement spots being extremely scarce and no home to return to safely, these women find themselves stuck and unable to take control of their situation.
51% of the women registered with Talent Beyond Boundaries have completed tertiary education, and the organization recognizes their potential. They employ sustainable, market-based innovation to empower refugees to lift themselves out of their current situation and into a self-directed life. At Volunteer Vision, we are extremely proud that thanks to our cooperation, digital mentoring is one of the paths that can lead them there.
Since the beginning of our cooperation in 2019, we have been able to match over 100 mentees and mentors. The latter coming from our corporate partners who support them in regular virtual mentoring sessions on employability skills and career orientation. Utilizing our tailored e-learning content, these mentoring tandems have completed 156 hours of mentoring so far, and in 2021 we are looking forward to many more.
The past year has been tough on most of us, but studies show that women have been hit much harder by unemployment, violence, abuse, and financial burden since the pandemic began. This is why we want to take a moment to highlight and amplify the voices of the women on our platform and share their stories of what it has meant to them to stay connected during these difficult times:
“Women are always a source of inspiration for the family and the society.[…][Today] I want to thank the perfect woman my mentor is. [...] I learned many things from her, and she made me happy and confident in myself again. I will apply what I‘ve learned and […] I found my dream career . And special thanks to all the Volunteer Vision and Talent Beyond Boundaries Team members.” - Zahra‘a TBB Mentee
“[…] I had an experience in volunteering counseling with a woman named Suzan. It was a wonderful and distinctive experience. I learned a lot from her because she is an example of an effective model in society. In addition to her work as a bank manager, she provides her volunteer services in order to help refugees. […] I hope in the near future to be a volunteer trainer who will provide a lot for future generations. Thanks for all the help!” -Alia TBB Mentee
These women’s stories not only show the impact that one hour a week can have on someone’s life, but they also motivate us to continue and develop our partnership. Together with Talent Beyond Boundaries, we aim to empower more women by broadening access to our career development programs in 2021.
Are you curious about the fantastic work Talent Beyond Boundaries are doing? Visit their website: https://www.talentbeyondboundaries.org/
Are you interested in digital mentoring4impact at your organization? Learn how to engage your employees as online mentors and get in touch with us here.
