Our history
From Burnout Initiative Unemployed Journalist Individual Beginnings
to Impactful Idea Foundation Founder Tech Educator Global Network
It Started from Burnout
At 32, a refugee and journalist from Tajikistan faced immense challenges after spending over a year seeking his first job in the IT sector. Despite successfully completing a Data Science bootcamp, investing six months and $2,000, he struggled to secure employment due to a lack of experience and essential knowledge. Determined to overcome these obstacles, he pursued additional skills and continued his job search tirelessly.
When an Idea Comes Up
While working with mentors through an online mentoring website, he realized the transformative power of mentorship. Inspired by this experience, he envisioned creating a similar program specifically for refugees who need education but lack access to information. Motivated by this newfound purpose, he began diligently working on developing this program to support and uplift others in similar situations.
Turning Ideas into Action
In March, the CodeYourPath initiative was launched with the support of the Polish foundation Strefa Wolnosłowa. Within the first two months, we received over 100 applications from volunteers worldwide, spanning across more than 10 countries. This enthusiastic response marked the beginning of our journey to empower refugees and migrants through technology education.
Launching the Mentorship Program
Following the reception of over 60 applications from candidates for the mentorship program, we meticulously selected and recruited 30 individuals to participate. With their support, we officially launched our program, which spanned a duration of 6 months. This marked a significant milestone in our mission to provide valuable mentorship and support to refugees and migrants seeking to build their skills and futures.
Free Business English Course
In collaboration with our mentors from the USA, we organized a free Business English course aimed at empowering our mentees. Ten of our mentees actively participated in these classes, steadily improving their English proficiency. Upon completion, they were awarded certificates to recognize their dedication and progress in mastering this essential skill for professional success.
Successfully Completing the Mentorship Program
Ten of our dedicated mentees successfully completed their mentorship program by meticulously compiling their portfolios, showcasing their growth and achievements. To acknowledge their hard work and commitment, we awarded them certificates, celebrating their journey of personal and professional development.
From an Initiative to a Foundation
After a six-month wait, we proudly registered our foundation, marking a significant milestone in our journey. With official status now granted, we are excited and optimistic about the opportunities it will bring, enabling us to embark on even greater projects and achieve our goals of empowering refugees and migrants through technology education.
Launching Onsite Workshops
With the support of a micro grant from Fundusz Obywatelski Found, we are thrilled to announce the launch of a series of workshops focusing on Basic Digital Skills. This grant empowers us to extend our reach and provide invaluable training to even more individuals, furthering our mission of fostering digital literacy and empowerment.
Discovering Our First Tech Partners
We initiated collaborations with our first tech partners, including CD Projekt Red and C&F, who generously supported us by donating laptops.
Digital Workshops and Career Support in Partnership with UNHCR
With the support of UNHCR, we launched our latest workshops on Digital Marketing and No-Code Development, providing free career support to over 40 individuals. They gained foundational knowledge in these fields, and 90% of them expressed satisfaction with the workshops, indicating their intention to continue learning and growing in these areas.
First Success: Our Mentee Gets a Job at Goldman Sachs
Fidan Agayewa, one of the mentees in our mentorship program, was hired as a Frontend Developer at Goldman Sachs after working closely with her mentor for several months. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and extend our heartfelt thanks to both her and her mentor for their dedication and hard work in reaching this milestone.
Running Onsite Coding Workshops for Beginners
With the help of our experienced volunteer, Hammad, and support from the TechSoup Foundation, we relaunched our coding workshops in November. These workshops are held every Saturday and will continue until March. We are thrilled to have over 10 dedicated participants who are learning coding from scratch and making great progress.
From Poland to the World: Launching a Global Mentorship Platform
Our goal is to develop the CodeYourPath.App platform, providing free access to STEM education for refugees and migrants worldwide. With the support of our tech partner, RailWayMen, we are currently creating the MVP (Minimum Viable Product). If you're interested in testing our product, we invite you to join our waiting list.
We are also seeking partners and donors to support us in completing this platform, which aims to connect mentors with mentees in a meaningful way.
In addition, we are building the CodeYourPath Growing Community—a welcoming and inclusive space where everyone can join, grow, and make a tangible impact.
Are you interested in collaborating with us on these initiatives? Contact us today and become part of our mission to empower individuals through education and community support.
