Gaza Sky Geeks: Learning is a Lifeline
Key Takeaways:- Drive community engagement through positive reinforcement
- Use friendly competitions to build camaraderie and real-world experience
- Provide life-changing learning opportunities to nonprofit communities by becoming a DataCamp Donates Partner
Description
During times of war, securing the most basic essentials of survival, like food, water, shelter, and medicine, often comes at the expense of abandoning one of the most treasured aspects of life: education. But our DataCamp Donates partner organizations in conflict-afflicted territories are proving that providing free data and AI education to those who have lost so much doesn’t just help them survive—it enables them to thrive and take control of their futures.
Gaza Sky Geeks, an initiative of the global humanitarian aid nonprofit Mercy Corps, is one such standout DataCamp Donates Partner Organization. Join Leyan Zahdeh, Technical Unit Officer at Mercy Corps - Gaza Sky Geeks, as she showcases how she was able to motivate hundreds of Palestinian students displaced by the war to learn for free on DataCamp, earn Certifications, win Competitions, and improve their lives.
Presenter Bio
Leyan is a Computer Engineer and the Tech Unit Lead at Gaza Sky Geeks, where she organizes impactful programs, events, and competitions that help Palestinian tech graduates build skills and secure employment opportunities. Her passion for technology extends into AI as a CAPx Captain and lead ambassador for Palestine, where she actively promotes AI literacy and opportunities in the field.
At Gaza Sky Geeks, Leyan has led the DataCamp Donates program for the past two years, overseeing initiatives that have given young tech enthusiasts access to quality data science education. This experience has been a highlight of her career, enabling her to witness firsthand the transformative power of accessible education. Previously, as the Google Developer Student Club lead at her university, Leyan built a community for new developers, providing support and collaboration opportunities that inspired her current work at GSG.
Outside of her professional roles, Leyan enjoys doing voice-over work for animations and competing in coding challenges. Her work reflects a commitment to helping young Palestinians gain the skills they need to thrive in a global tech landscape.