Impact stories

The story of Mohammad & Mariam

Through the Tabadol fellowship program, Psych Friends has learned a great deal about sustainability planning, finance, marketing, branding, and organizing especially with the mentor of Rahma WorldWide whom we intersect to reach our goals of making mental health care more accessible and affordable. This knowledge has been invaluable in helping us to develop a more sustainable and effective mental health system for people suffering from depression. 

Our partnership with Rahma offers us a great opportunity to learn from their experience. They offered us quality control through their psychological team. Also, they filled our gaps in the clinical psychology of patients which helped us to enrich our data and make it more realistic. One of the most important things we have learned is the importance of financial planning. To be sustainable, any organization needs to have a clear understanding of its financial resources and how they will be used. We have learned how to develop budgets, track expenses, and forecast future financial needs. This has helped us to make more informed decisions about how to allocate our resources and ensure that we are using them as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Finally, we have learned a great deal about organizing. To run a successful organization, we need to have a clear plan in place. We have learned to set goals, develop strategies, and delegate tasks. This has helped us to become more efficient and effective in our work. 

Based on the learnings from the Tabadol fellowship program, Psych Friends is planning to take the following steps:

1.  Develop a detailed sustainability plan. This plan will outline our financial goals, marketing strategies, and organizational structure.
2.  Track our income and expenses more effectively and make more informed decisions about how to allocate our resources
3. Launch a new marketing campaign. This campaign will raise awareness of our services and reach more people in need. 
4. Develop a new structure according to the market needs and the advices we got from our mentorship with Rahma. This structure will help us to become more efficient and effective in our work.

To future participants in the Tabadol fellowship program, we would like to say the following: 

1. This is an incredible opportunity to learn from experts in the field and develop the skills you need to create a sustainable mindset 
2. Be prepared to work hard and be challenged. The program is incredibly rewarding. 
3. Take advantage of all of the resources that are available to you. The Tabadol team is incredibly supportive and will help you to succeed.
4.  Make the most of your time in the program. Learn as much as you can and build relationships with your fellow participants.
5.  Work with the CSO and try to be a part of it.

We will continue our collaboration with Rahma to perform the test on the sample population that we chose along with them. Moreover, we want to collaborate in the media and implementation field.

The story of Nour

1- Her Experience with Tabadol

My experience with Tabadol has been incredibly enriching and transformative. From the outset, Tabadol presented itself as more than just a fellowship program; it was a journey into the heart of community service and personal growth. The program’s ethos of inclusivity, learning, and societal impact resonated deeply with my own values. The program offered a platform where I could apply my skills and knowledge in a meaningful way while also expanding my horizons. The engagement with a diverse team of fellows, mentors, and community members brought a wealth of perspectives and ideas. Each interaction was a learning opportunity, adding layers to my understanding of community work and the multifaceted nature of societal challenges. Tabadol’s emphasis on practical, hands-on projects was particularly impactful. It wasn’t just theoretical learning; it was about putting ideas into action and seeing the real-world effects of those initiatives.

2- Fellowship with Idraac

My fellowship with Idraac provided me with a unique opportunity to delve into the realms of mental health and elder care. Our focus was not just on identifying problems but also on crafting innovative and practical solutions. The collaborative environment at Idraac fostered a sense of creativity and enthusiasm, which I found immensely inspiring. I was able to gain invaluable insights and develop a broader understanding of the impact of mental health initiatives. Overall, this fellowship has been a transformative journey, reinforcing my commitment to social service and leaving me with a profound sense of accomplishment and purpose.

3- Fellowship Project 

In collaboration with the CSO, our work on the “Elderly Aid: Embracing Age with Empowerment” project under Tabadol was multifaceted and deeply impactful. Our primary goal was to create a dynamic and inclusive platform specifically tailored for the elderly. We wanted to provide a space that not only acknowledged their vast expertise but also empowered them to share it. The platform will include a space for them to share experiences through training programs designed for the elderly, which they themselves could deliver. Also, it includes various channels for them to share their stories and insights, such as interactive webinars and club activities, enhancing their social engagement and sense of community.

A significant part of my role involved establishing a comprehensive database of entities in Beirut. I reached out to 250 organizations to assess their willingness to welcome and involve elderly individuals, which provided us with valuable insights into the community’s receptiveness to this initiative.

Additionally, I was tasked with the design and development of an interactive and user-friendly interface for the online platform. This was a critical component to ensure ease of access and use by the elderly, facilitating their active participation.

I also conducted extensive research on similar projects globally to gain insights and best practices that could be adapted and implemented in our context. 

Lastly, I focused on connecting with various NGOs in Beirut that work directly with the elderly. This was essential in creating a collaborative and comprehensive support system for our target demographic. 

4-Fellowship Impact (personal and professional development)

The fellowship afforded me a remarkable opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally. Engaging intimately with the elderly, hearing their stories, and empathizing with their challenges, I developed a deeper sense of empathy and a renewed dedication to social responsibility. This experience significantly broadened my worldview, enriching my understanding of the varied experiences and obstacles faced by different community groups.

Furthermore, the fellowship substantially enhanced my communication skills, particularly in terms of conveying and attracting entities to be part of the project. It also refined my problem-solving abilities. A notable instance of this was when analyzing the collected database; the need for additional, more interactive platform features became apparent due to the low number of entities that were interested in being part of the project. This challenge spurred innovative thinking and adaptive strategy formulation.

Professionally, the fellowship was nothing short of transformative. It sharpened my skills in project management, user interface design, and strategic planning. Building a functional and impactful digital platform from the ground up was a tremendous learning experience, significantly advancing my technical and digital expertise. Working with the diverse team at Idraac NGO and networking with various organizations not only expanded my professional network but also provided deep insights into the workings of the non-profit sector. The fellowship bolstered my confidence in leading initiatives and championing important causes, shaping my professional path. It equipped me with the tools, confidence, and motivation to continue effecting positive change in the community.

5- Recommendation

Absolutely. I would wholeheartedly recommend a fellowship like this to others. The reasons are multifaceted and stem from the profound personal and professional growth I experienced. The experience of working with a diverse team, like the one at Idraac NGO, is invaluable in gaining insights into different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. Particularly for those interested in social issues, the chance to contribute to meaningful projects is both fulfilling and enlightening. Moreover, the fellowship is an excellent platform for networking and learning from seasoned professionals in the non-profit sector. It challenges participants to step out of their comfort zones, enhancing their leadership, communication, and project management skills. For anyone looking to make a difference while growing both personally and professionally, this fellowship is an opportunity not to be missed.

The story of Fatima

During the past 6 months I had the opportunity to take part of Tabadol programme. I matched with Art to heart, an organization in Nablus Palestine that works with children and people with disabilities, while focusing or art and culture as a mean of the empowerment.

Art to Heart chose Art as a means through which to generate empathy, understanding, progress, and change; to challenge stereotypes and go beyond the all-too common assumptions regarding what persons with disabilities can achieve; and finally to promote cooperation and dialogue between those with disabilities and their non-disabled peers. They aspire to create an inclusive environment, enabling persons with disabilities to showcase their work, passion, and potential both within and beyond their community, culture, and country.

For me, it was a great match, as I have a Master’s Degree in Social work and I have experience in entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, I am entrepreneur myself, as I have a social enterprise in Lebanon, Dar Salwa.

Within Tabadol, the aim was to create a sustainable business model for Art to heart, to be able to generate money, while remain in the art and cultural field.
We were able to set a goal, and achieve it, by planning, testing and allow our creativity to take place.

Mainly, we wanted to offer clients art work that can be used, not only in a frame. So we focused on creating innovative items that are desirable by the clients, profitable for the organization, and has a great value to offer to customers.

Those who purchase the items, will not only support the cause of the organization and the kids, but also they will use the items!

We were able to produce several products, using the drawings of the students of Art to heart: A memory game,a story and a coloring book: ‘Lamar and Ashqar’s journey, T-shirts and sweatshirts with different designs and messages for all ages, giant posters with different sizes, to be colored, notebooks for adults with different artistic designs, upcycled furniture items, designed and colored, by the children and staff of Art to heart.

Besides creating a project that generates income to Art to heart, showcase their student’s talents, I had the support for Dar Salwa (legal and marketing coaching), and learned about inclusion in the cultural field via several trainings offered by Art to heart.

What is most important, is that I am now part of Art to heart family, a great team and a great founder (Suha), that I will miss working with.

I highly recommend Tabadol for future fellows!

The story of Houssam

In the “Tabadol Program,” I have experienced immense happiness and gained numerous valuable insights that I am eager to share on my social media platforms. This program has provided me with a platform to engage in meaningful conversations and exchange ideas with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through these interactions, I have broadened my perspectives, deepened my understanding of various topics, and developed lasting connections with like-minded individuals. The Tabadol Program has not only enriched my knowledge but also fostered personal growth and a sense of fulfillment. I am excited to share my experiences and the valuable lessons I have learned with my social media community, hoping to inspire others to embark on similar journeys of self-discovery and cultural exchange.

Thanks to the fellowship;

1- I was able to get access to resources like funding,research facilities and other resources that help me transmit my idea into a physical prototype 

2-This fellowship program help me to have new community and networks from different field and in different areas location

3-Leadership and entrepreneurial skills this fellowship upgrade to my previous knowledge some new skills in entrepreneurship 

4-Funds and investment where i have a big chance to learn from Eedama coaching session how to make my future plan to growth 

My achievements during the fellowship:

1-Changing design of the product to the good of user

2-Working on some marketing strategies (bracelet,logo,flyer..)

3-Talking step to register and be more legal

My next steps:

1-Finalizing first prototype 

2-testing in different country with different user

3-Finalizing our legal paper

4- Start working after taking feedback on the first product 

The story of Romy

Through the Tabadol program, I got introduced to the organization Nahnoo and their project and was offered the opportunity to work on it as a fellow. The fellowship gave me the chance to benefit from two main points:

• the coaching sessions with makesense. Every month, I used to discuss with my coach the updates and difficulties faced during the fellowship, in return, Charly -my coach- used to give me his insights and guidance to adopt the best solution. In my opinion, having a 3rd party as an observer helped me a lot and provided me with the support needed when I doubted my decisions or steps.
• Eedama’s workshops and training sessions. An opportunity to refresh one’s memory and learn about new tools, and strategies required to succeed, for example, Financial knowledge, MEAL, Project Management etc. 

Now let me brief you on the objectives and outcomes of the project I worked on through Tabadol, in partnership with Nahnoo: The Sustainable Lab.

The main goal of the Sustainable Lab is to provide a place to experiment with Lebanese crafts and craftsmen. We first conducted an assessment and spent the first two months on the ground interviewing artisans, visiting their ateliers and learning about the hardships of the industry. This small study enabled me to put together a SWOT analysis and develop a report stating findings and recommendations on how fashion waste can build capital rather than reduce it. The model put forward is based on collecting discarded textiles, upcycling them by imprinting patterns using the traditional block printing technique and then finalizing them into one completed item.

This brings us to the second phase of the project, implementation. We launched the sustainable lab, a workshop where artisans and community members come together to co-create, co-design and co-produce the upcycled creations.

The last phase of the project involves organizing a pop-up market in the old streets of Bourj Hammoud displaying all the creations, spreading awareness of the necessity of green practices. The profits made are divided proportionally with the artisans, the community and the space. The replication of the model could become one of the revenue streams which RestART could sustain itself with.

If I had to describe these six months in one word I would say ‘skydiving’. 

When you are ready for the challenge, you have checked the equipment, your instructor is right behind you, and you start feeling the adrenaline and excitement once you stand there and look down. It was time to jump, and I was enjoying it until it hit me, I was falling fast. Anxious and worried, I almost got lost in the clouds. Shortly, I started seeing the small buildings, streets, and cars. The parachute opened then I landed safely, and all that was left was satisfaction and gratitude. Looking back now, I appreciate the journey and the people I have worked with. This fellowship taught me how to skydive and face the unexpected events in life and work.

Moreover, I also learned a very important lesson. A person should put as much effort into resting as in working. Being disciplined at work is a value, yet your comfort is a golden value. I learned that projects and programs should not solely be task-centered, but human-centered too. What you cannot accomplish today will only delay the accomplishment of the job. However, when you do not rest and reflect will resonate in an inevitable toxic behaviour and demotivation.

Emotional impact is the power to give someone another perspective of thinking and a new window to understand and evolve. Therefore, I learned to act as a human full of emotions, and thoughts while balancing them within my professional and personal lives.

To sum it up,  if you haven’t skydived before, the Tabadol program is your go-to practice. If you had, I would still recommend you to take part in the program because the connections made, the laughs shared, the learnings acquired, and the bonds created are worth jumping again.

Thank you for sharing these moments with me.

P.S. Remember that the choice of consumption is a lifestyle; so keep it green, keep it clean!