What School Doesn’t Teach You

/ Al Mazeed / By
  1. Project Overview

 

”What School Doesn’t Teach You” is a series of educational workshops, which aims to make street-smart teachable by offering workshops on essential life skills -not taught in school- in order to help young people overcome the challenges and demands of everyday life.

 

The goal of this project if to:

  • Equip young individuals with the skills needed to face life’s challenges
  • Open new horizons and perspectives
  • Lead individuals to healthier lives (mental and physical)
  • Encourage youth to become active citizens

 

This project targets young individuals between the ages of 18 and 30. An 18-year-old in Lebanon is a young adult. Then, at 21, he/she would have reached the legal age to vote in elections. So, the choice of this age group was based on the fact that these individuals are active agents of change and, with the presence of good tools and practical techniques, they will be able to assess in an unbiased way the situations and facts that surround them, to act and make appropriate decisions based on the context in which they find themselves.

This project aims to help these individuals make a healthy transition to adulthood and become independent. Therefore, the workshops are designed to meet the needs of this age group at several levels.

  1. Sessions and Workshops

 

Here at Al Mazeed, over the course of one-year, we were able to conduct 10 workshops that were facilitated by different experts in different fields and domains.

Since all young adults have the right to receive an education that includes learning life skills, Al Mazeed covered the costs of the sessions to make them free of charge for participants!

This year’s workshops were:

  1. Emotional Intelligence
  2. Constructive communication and active listening
  3. How to be your own nutritionist
  4. Dramatherapy as a rehearsal for life
  5. Yoga and Wellness
  6. Expressive Arts Therapy
  7. Time Management
  8. Yoga & Wellness Retreat
  9. Mental Health Awareness
  10. Gateways to Creativity

 

 

  1. Emotional Intelligence

Date:  June 18, 2022

Time: from 10am to 2pm

Location : USJ – Campus des sciences humaines

Facilitator : Cosette Dib       

It is essential to study «emotional intelligence», even if it is not taught in school, because it plays a crucial role in our well-being and success in life. Emotional intelligence allows us to understand and manage our emotions, build positive relationships with others, make informed and wise decisions, and demonstrate empathy. Al Mazeed, with the “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project, recognizes the importance of filling educational gaps by offering activities that develop essential skills not taught in school. By offering sessions around emotional intelligence, Al Mazeed helps participants develop the skills needed to succeed in their personal and professional lives, preparing them to overcome emotional challenges in a constructive way and build healthy relationships.

Participants’ feedback[1]

The first session focused on emotional intelligence and received positive feedback from participants. Four people gave a 4/5 rating to the overall activity level, while one person gave a maximum rating of 5/5. This demonstrates that the majority of participants considered the activity to be of high efficiency.

Regarding the usefulness of the activity, five people gave a rating of 4/5 or higher. These responses suggest that participants found the activity useful and relevant, which contributed to their overall satisfaction.

The organization of the activity was also well evaluated, with four people giving a maximum score of 5/5. This indicates that the activity was well planned and structured, which made it easier to conduct and contributed to a positive experience for the participants.

In addition, four people thought that the facilitator had done his job well and that he was a great teacher. This appreciation demonstrates the facilitator’s competence in transmitting knowledge related to emotional intelligence, which allowed participants to take full advantage of the activity.

In summary, the emotional intelligence activity received an average score of 8/10 from participants, confirming their overall satisfaction. In addition, the five participants are unanimous in their desire to participate in other activities proposed by the program. These positive results underline the effectiveness of this type of session and the quality of the offer delivered by Al Mazeed.

 

  1. Constructive communication and active listening

Date:  July 2, 2022

Time: from 10am to 2pm

Location : USJ – Campus des sciences humaines

Facilitator: Cosette Dib

“Constructive communication and active listening” are an essential subject for healthy and balanced relationships. Although not taught in school, they are a key skill.

”What School Doesn’t Teach You” by Al Mazeed offers participants sessions on constructive communication, including the necessary tools to communicate clearly, empathetically and respectfully, promoting mutual understanding and conflict resolution. These skills are essential for building meaningful and healthy relationships, conducting successful negotiations and problem-solving skills to contribute to a more harmonious world.

Participants’ feedback[2]

Session 2 received very positive feedback from participants.

Five of the six participants gave the activity a maximum score of 5/5, while the last participant gave it a score of 4/5. This distribution of scores reflects the overall satisfaction of participants with the session.

Similarly, the proposed exercises were considered useful by all participants, with a similar distribution of grades. This shows that they found the exercises relevant and beneficial for their learning. They also agree on the excellence of the organization of the session, all participants giving a maximum score of 5/5. This consensus demonstrates that Al Mazeed places great emphasis on planning and managing sessions to ensure a well-organized and seamless experience.

In addition, the participants highlighted the skills of the facilitator, saying that she perfectly mastered his subject, animated the session in a captivating way and awakened a real interest in the subjects taught. One participant even said in his return: «A talented and caring facilitator».

In conclusion, the participants gave an average score of 9.5/10 for the workshop and would all be ready to come back for another session, demonstrating their great satisfaction. These positive results highlight the effectiveness of the session regarding constructive communication and active listening, as well as the quality of the work done by Al Mazeed.

 

  1. How to be our own nutritionist

Date:  July 30, 2022

Time: from 10am to 2pm

Location : USJ – Campus des sciences humaines

Facilitator : Maryta Ibrahim

It is vital to tackle the theme «How to be our own nutritionist», even if this topic is not covered in school. Our diet has a major impact on our health and well-being. It is essential to understand how to choose and prepare balanced meals, assess individual nutritional needs and adopt healthy eating habits for a healthier life. By offering sessions on personal nutrition, Al Mazeed gives participants the knowledge and tools they need to make measured decisions about diet and healthy living. These skills contribute to a better quality of life and better control of one’s own health.

Participants’ feedback[3]

Session 3 was evaluated by 9 participants. Regarding the level of the session, 5 participants gave the maximum score of 5/5, while only one participant gave the score of 3/5. Similarly, the usefulness of the exercises was assessed in a similar way, with an identical distribution of grades. On the other hand, 8 participants gave the score of 5/5 both to the exercises carried out and to the material supports.

Consistently, the organization of the session also received positive reviews from 8 participants who gave a maximum score of 5/5. The teamwork and individual qualities as well as the professionalism of the members of Al Mazeed are to be highlighted in the organization of the ”What School Doesn’t Teach You” sessions.

The facilitator clearly attracted all participants through her way of animating and arousing interest, thus obtaining the maximum score in all votes.

The overall score assigned to the session is 8.22/10 which shows the overall satisfaction of the participants. In addition, all participants expressed their willingness to repeat a similar session in the future.

These positive results are evidence to the quality of the “How to Be Our Own Nutritionist” session and the participants’ appreciation of the facilitator, reinforcing their interest and desire to participate in other activities in the future.

 

  1. Dramatherapy as a rehearsal for life

Date:  October 29, 2022

Time: from 10am to 2pm

Location: Wholistic Dramatherapists – Bouar

Facilitators: Natacha Rizk and Jean Daccache

«Dramatherapy as a repetition for life» is an important theme to tackle, because it allows us to explore our identity, improve our social skills and increase our self-confidence, aspects often overlooked in traditional education. The “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project aims to fill these gaps by offering activities focused on essential life skills not taught in school. By offering dramatherapy sessions, Al Mazeed gives participants the tools they need to develop their creative potential, boost their self-esteem and enhance their personal growth.

Participants’ feedback[4]

Session 4 was very well evaluated by the participants. The overall level of activity was considered excellent, with relevant exercises and materials deemed very useful.

In addition, the facilitators were admired by all participants. Their communication skills, exemplary organization, ability to animate the subject in a dynamic manner and mastery of content were highlighted. The participants really appreciated their presence and their way of explaining.

The workshop was also widely recognized for its usefulness. Comments such as “very educational” were reported on this session. These feedbacks reflect the participants’ appreciation for the knowledge and lessons learned during the activity.

Participants also expressed willingness to participate in other similar courses and workshops. This willingness reflects the positive impact of the session and the interest generated by the topic.

Overall, session 4 was a success, with a very positive assessment from participants. The level of activity, the relevance of the exercises, the appreciation of the facilitators and the overall usefulness of the workshop were solidly welcomed. These results demonstrate the quality of the session and the satisfaction of the participants, who would like to continue their engagement in other similar activities.

 

  1. Yoga and Wellness

Date:  November 26, 2022

Time: from 10am to 2pm

Location: Koun – Gemmayze

Facilitators: Zahra Chahrour and Joanna Jammal

It is essential to address the topic «Yoga and Wellness» since Yoga offers several benefits for physical and mental health, such as reducing stress, improving flexibility and promoting emotional well-being. The “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project aims to fill the educational gap by offering activities that focus on essential skills not taught in school. By integrating Yoga sessions, Al Mazeed allows participants to learn relaxation techniques, strengthen their body and acquire tools to take care of their overall well-being.

Participants’ feedback[5]

Session 5 dedicated to Yoga was evaluated by 4 people. Regarding the level of activity, 75% of these participants gave a score of 4 or more. This evaluation demonstrates a majority appreciation of the quality of the session.

Similarly, 3 participants gave the maximum score regarding the usefulness of the exercise, the quality of the materials provided and the organization of the session. This positive assessment reflects overall satisfaction with the aspects of the session.

The session was facilitated by two facilitators and participants rated the two facilitators 4/5. This evaluation highlights the competence and professionalism of the facilitators, who were able to meet the expectations of the participants.

Individual feedback on the session experience is also positive, which is reflected in the overall average of 8.88/10 attributed by participants. In addition, 100% of participants say they are ready to attend another workshop, demonstrating their satisfaction and interest in the proposed activities.

To conclude, these positive results confirm the quality of the «Yoga and well-being» session, in terms of its content, organization and performance of the facilitators. They also highlighted the positive impact of the experience on participants, thus reinforcing their willingness to participate in future similar activities.

 

  1. Expressive arts therapy

Date:  February 21, 2023

Time: from 6pm to 8pm

Location: Online

Facilitator: Mike Ayvazian

It is important to study «Expressive Arts Therapy», a subject that allows us to explore and express our emotions, foster creativity and develop non-verbal communication skills, topics often overlooked in traditional education. The “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project aims to address these challenges by offering activities based on essential life skills not taught at school. By integrating expressive arts therapy sessions, Al Mazeed offers participants a safe space to express themselves, strengthens their self-confidence and helps them develop a better understanding of themselves.

Participants’ feedback[6]

Session 6 was generally well received, with two 5/5 scores, two 4/5 scores and a 3/5 score. The majority of participants considered the proposed exercises, the materials provided and the organization of the session as perfect.

Here are a few comments on the Facilitator reviews: “he was very welcoming and warm and brought a very pleasant touch to the whole session”, “an excellent communicator and organizer with a lot of passion that comes out during the session”. In addition, one of the comments sincerely thanked the team for the workshop by saying, “Thank you for the valuable workshops you offer! Good luck to all!”

All in all, all participants expressed their desire to return for another session. The average score for this activity was 8/10. Here are a few comments: “it was a good guide for beginners, helping us to demonstrate our ability to manage stress, teaching us to better cope with stressful events and performing a “comfort breath” and a “hug to oneself” when we need it”, “the session helped me relax and align my heart and brain”, “a reminder to respect my own pace”. These comments reflect an understanding of the objectives of the session and the appreciation of participants for the proposed workshops.

 

  1. 7. Time management

Date:  March 23, 2023

Time: from 6pm to 8pm

Location : USJ – Campus des sciences humaines

Facilitator: Tracy Diab

It is important to study “Time Management”, a theme that develops essential skills to effectively manage our time, set priorities and achieve our goals. By integrating time management sessions as part of the “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project, Al Mazeed gives participants the tools they need to maximize productivity, balance responsibilities and improve their quality of life.

Participants’ feedback[7]

The seventh session received less positive feedback than the previous six. Indeed, among the five participants who evaluated the session, three gave the score of 3/5 and two gave the score of 4/5 regarding the level of the workshop.

Similarly, the usefulness of the exercises was received in a mixed way, with two voters giving a score of 3/5 or less. This indicates a mixed reception of the exercises proposed by some participants.

However, the host received good reviews, since 80% of voters gave him the maximum score. This demonstrates the quality of its animation and its ability to transmit information effectively.

Nevertheless, it seems that some participants only moderately enjoyed this workshop and do not think that it was extremely beneficial to them. This is illustrated by comments such as: «I don’t think this is the right workshop for me». This is why the average rating of the activity is equal to 7/10.

However, other participants found the session “fruitful and productive” and said it was a very useful workshop. These positive comments show that some participants took advantage of the session and found value in its content.

In conclusion, although this seventh session did not receive as much positive feedback as previous sessions, the facilitator was appreciated by the majority of participants. The average rating of the activity reflects a mixed reception, with some participants expressing moderate satisfaction, while others found the session beneficial.

 

  1. Yoga and wellness retreat

Date:  June 17, 2023

Time: from 10am to 2pm

Location: Ohana Yoga Space – Batroun

Teachers: Tony Barrak and Danny Sakr

Session 8 entitled “Yoga and Wellness Retreat” aims to show the importance and necessity of relaxing and living in the present moment. The project “What School Doesn’t Teach You” has found a way to ensure this rest for the participants by dedicating a Yoga session to them in order to calm down, rest, and free themselves from all kinds of stress that surrounds them; an opportunity that the school has not presented to us. As part of the «month of well-being», Al Mazeed allowed participants to experience serenity and to detach themselves from the stress that this world inevitably imposes on us.

Participants’ feedback[8]

This activity generally received positive feedback from participants. One person scored 4/5 on the overall activity level and 2 others gave a maximum score of 5/5.

Regarding the usefulness of the exercises, 2 people gave a score of 4/5 while another person gave a maximum score of 5/5. These notes then indicate satisfaction with the content of the session.

In addition, 3 people considered the duration of the activity in relation to the theme of the session adequate and sufficient. This shows that the time devoted to the activity has been used to the best.

In addition, 3 people gave a rating of 4/5 for the facilitator’s performance, which highlights his communication skills.

In addition, 3 people gave 3 different marks for the performance of the second facilitator of the session, respectively 3/5, 4/5, and 5/5. Subsequently, the two facilitators were appreciated by the participants.

Finally, regarding the overall experience, the participants were satisfied, giving scores of 7/10, 9/10 and 10/10. All would like to attend the activities that the project ”What School Doesn’t Teach You” could organize in the future. They described their experiences as “incredible,” another participant added that he was able to “control his body for the first time by learning to communicate with [his] muscles in the right way.” One participant also stated that “the experience was good” and that “she relieved her stress and anxiety”.

 

  1. Mental Health Awareness

Date: 24 June 2023

Time: from 10am to 12pm

Location: Yardbird Ghazir

Facilitator: Larine Fahed

To increase mental health awareness, Al Mazeed collaborated with EMBRACE Lebanon to launch Session 9, “Mental Health Awareness” as part of the “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project. It is legitimate to dedicate a session to educate others about mental health during Wellness Month. We never learned in school the importance of valuing and caring for our mental health. For this, Al Mazeed decided to launch this session, hoping to clarify any misunderstanding and misconceptions that surround this subject.

Participants’ feedback[9]

Overall, the participants enjoyed the activity. One participant rated 3/5, 2 people rated 4/5 and 2 others rated 5/5. These results highlight the usefulness of the activity. We cannot fail to mention that 100% of the participants considered the duration of the activity very adequate. Time was then distributed and used wisely.

In addition, participants found the session useful and interesting, easy to follow, fun and well organized. They also stated that the activity helped them better understand the work of EMBRACE, the definition of mental health, signs that could indicate the presence of mental problems, and how to take care of their own mental health.

To continue, the performance of the facilitator obtained a score of 2/5, another of 3/5, and 3 notes of 5/5. Participants agreed that the facilitator explained the topic clearly, created a friendly atmosphere, answered questions and provided relevant examples. Here are some comments: «the animation of the session was incredible; Larine was so perfect», «she was so nice».

On the other hand, 20% of participants gave a score of 7/10 regarding the overall experience of the activity, 20% gave a score of 8/10 and 60% maximized their score to 10/10.

As a result of this activity, 100% of participants said they would like to attend other activities in the future. The most common comments were, “It was a good and useful session that we all need these days”, “I was expecting other things, but the session was much better than I thought and I would love to participate in other activities”…

 

  1. Gateways to creativity

Date: August 19, 2023

Time: from 10am to 2pm

Location: Aal Ghyoum – Sarba

Hosts: Christina Karam, Maria Theresa Kallasy and Julie Abi Karam

Life is a whiteboard that we paint with our own colors, our own stories. Al Mazeed recognizes the importance of revealing this artistic side in us. Art has many psychological benefits. For this, it is crucial to ensure a session during which we let our brushes act like Picasso, a session whose scope the school did not emphasize!

During the “Gateways to Creativity” session, participants learned artistic techniques and various practices such as painting and pointing, weaving wool… They also engaged in a dynamic artistic atmosphere and had fun while improving their well-being.

Participants’ feedback[10]

     The participants began by assessing the general level of the activity, 20% of them giving a score of 3/5, 30% rating 4/5 and 50% rating 5/5. These results already show the success of the session. Most considered the session useful and interesting, easy to follow, fun and well organized.

The two facilitators received very encouraging evaluations, where more than 80% of participants consider that they master the subject that hey facilitate and explain. Participants also stated that the facilitators were very friendly, professional and motivating.

Of this, 10% of participants gave a score of 8/10 regarding the general experience vis-à-vis the activity, 40% gave a score of 9/10 and 50% give the lived experience a maximum score of 10/10.

All in all, all participants say they want to participate in other activities organized by the project ”What School Doesn’t Teach You”. The comments were motivating: «Very relaxing, very interesting and creative», «I really enjoyed this experience, I left the session, carrying in me a renewed spirit, filled with a childish wonder», “I had a very good afternoon with so many people, I hope to attend other sessions with the same fun atmosphere, laughter and joy” …

 

Interdependence within nature

«Interdependence within nature» is a prepared session that we have not had the chance to execute for logistical reasons. This session was designed to allow participants to hike in the wilderness, better understand the different components of nature and learn how to practice daily habits for a better ecosystem. In this way, participants could define their roles and places in relation to interdependence with nature.

 

 

  1. Summary in figures

The “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project was funded by Al Mazeed as an educational project for young individuals:

–  117 participants aged 18-32 attended the sessions

–  10 different sessions launched, with various themes

–  20 facilitators specialized in their fields

–  65% of participants participated in two or more sessions organized by the project

–  97.9% of participants said they would like to participate in other activities organized by the project “What School Doesn’t Teach You”

–  Financing of the project by Al Mazeed, amounting to 8000€

 

  1. Future of the project

During this year, we were able to maintain participants’ interest while attracting new participants to each session, indicating a promising engagement rate for the project.

In addition, this program has helped young people develop their personality, talents, mental and physical abilities, and achieve their true potential by getting to know each other, to make effective decisions, to live harmoniously in society in order to improve their quality of life.

That being said, we are not the only ones who passionately want to develop and broaden the project’s horizons, but the participants and people who are aware of the project expect this too.

 

We will focus more on the following areas:

–   Interpersonal skills (healthy communication, body language, public speaking, empathy, conflict management)

– Intrapersonal skills (self-awareness and work on developing qualities, stress management, emotional regulation, understanding feelings, behaviors and thoughts)

–  Intellectual skills (goal setting, decision making, problem solving, critical and creative thinking)

–  Practical knowledge (personal finance management, financial education, first aid, psychological support)

–  Nature outings (with an educational touch)

 

To make this program unique, the presence of techniques of role-playing, educational games and simulation, gamification of activities, analysis of situations and case studies, Storytelling and debates will play the role of the engine of the workshops to be able to offer stimulating sessions and adopt a fun pedagogical method!

 

Last but not least, we thank you for your generous donations, we look forward to developing this project and improving it all together; we undoubtedly see its ability to help young people lead healthy harmonious lives in society. Together, we are making street-smart teachable!

[1] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session.

[2] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session. 

[3] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session. 

[4] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session. 

[5] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session.

[6] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session. 

[7] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session. 

[8] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session.

[9] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session.

[10] NB: the number of voters is not equal to the number of participants in each session. Many participants did not complete the evaluation sheet sent. However, these people expressed their satisfaction and joy in person at the end of each session.