By Olivier Camino
Global COO, Foundever
President, Foundever.org
Fourteen months ago, we created a non-profit foundation — Foundever.org — so that we could turn our belief in the transformative power of education into a concrete commitment to driving a positive change. Access to education is one of the simplest yet most effective means of helping to reduce inequality. And, when we have greater understanding, knowledge or the ability to hone skills or develop new capabilities, we’re better equipped to navigate the challenges, no matter how fast the world is moving and no matter how great the rate of change.
As such, the International Day of Education offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on what our foundation has managed to achieve in its first full year of building and leveraging educational programs to benefit untapped talent in deprived communities around the world and prepare individuals for their next employment opportunities.
Empowering women through education: Celebrating the International Day of Education with Foundever.org and Carerha
On March 8, 2024, Foundever.org proudly announced its partnership with Carerha, an innovative Egypt-based EdTech platform dedicated to empowering women economically while promoting an inclusive workplace. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to make a positive impact in communities, focusing specifically on women’s empowerment — a cause we believe is essential for sustainable development and societal progress.
Carerha has established itself as a leader in the EdTech space, boasting a proven track record of successfully collaborating with various companies across diverse industries. Its targeted approach to uplifting women ensures that our partnership is grounded in expertise and commitment to creating opportunities for those who need it most.
At the heart of our initiative is the Freelance Mama program, designed specifically for a niche segment of women: college graduates who have had to pause their professional aspirations or have never had the chance to embark on their career journeys due to family obligations. In its inaugural year, the Freelance Mama program aims to support 100 women from distressed communities across Egypt, providing them with a structured learning path that leads to meaningful employment.
Meet some of the incredible women who have benefitted from this initiative:
- Meet Lobna who is pushing forward women’s empowerment in Egypt
- Meet Raghda, a woman who believes in the potential of others
- Meet Hanan, a passionate volunteer
- Meet Demiana, the podcaster who wants to help educate mothers, one show at a time
- Meet Shorouk, a Foundever Learning & Development Manager living out her lifelong passion
- Meet Shaimma, the mother who found a community
- Meet Nourhan, a supermom of 2
Celebrating the International Day of Education: Empowering the next generation through mentorship
On this special day, we also want to highlight our collaboration with The Global Mentorship Initiative and Orange, a valued partner of ours. Together, we have launched an impactful mentorship program aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment for young adult students from diverse backgrounds.
We initially kicked off this initiative in our French-speaking region in January 2024, but this program has now expanded to our English and Spanish-speaking locations across EMEA, making it accessible to even more students in Q4 2024. Our mission is clear: to empower students as they transition into the job market, arming them with the tools and confidence necessary to succeed in their careers.
Over the course of 12 interactive sessions, participants receive invaluable support from Foundever employees who serve as mentors. Together, they delve into crucial skills such as resume development, professional networking and interview techniques. Additionally, we embrace the evolving nature of work by teaching students how to use artificial intelligence in a professional and responsible manner. By focusing on these areas, we aim to cultivate not only career-ready candidates but also confident individuals with a clear vision for their professional journeys.
This initiative marked the first program launched and funded by Foundever.org, highlighting our commitment to making a meaningful impact. We believe in the potential of every young adult, especially those from disadvantaged communities, and strive to create opportunities that enable them to thrive in a competitive job market.
As we celebrate this day dedicated to education, we are reminded of the importance of mentoring and support in shaping the future of our workforce. Together, through initiatives like this, we are paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all through the #CXforGood movement.
Check out some of the powerful stories that have come from this initiative:
- Meet Soukaina, from uncertainty to fulfillment
- Meet Marwa, the HR specialist who is passionate about nurturing the next generation of talent
- Meet Oumou and Afis, two examples of the program’s success
- Meet Arnaud and Dorian: More than a mentorship
- Meet Lasana, an engineer and example of the student mentorship program’s success
- Meet Destin, an entrepreneur who aims to use tech to solve Africa’s challenges
- Meet the mentors from Foundever
Learn more about Foundever.org and its programs.