The Anera PLUS program produces professional software engineers in just 16 weeks using a curriculum developed in Silicon Valley and gives participants market-ready, adaptable coding skills and essential “soft” skills demanded by the industry.
Meet Some of Our Anera PLUS Students from Palestine
Niveen
Niveen Elkhozondar, 19, is based in Gaza. After graduating from Anera PLUS, she now works as a freelance front-end software developer and user-experience and user-interface developer.
"When I first saw the PLUS ad on social media, I was so thrilled about the opportunity. I am obsessed with technology.
"This program is helpful for young people in Gaza because it teaches professional and programming skills that many youth in Gaza and the West Bank lack. Unemployment is rife in Palestine. Women, in particular, go through extra challenges. So programs like PLUS motivate people and give them skills to set them up for a better future."
"The PLUS program helped me a lot to get a job."
"Many clients are looking for this technical expertise that I gained during the PLUS program. Technical expertise is what employers want. Every job relies on it in our modern world.
"At first I was not ready for a job. But through the weekly meetings and helpful feedback from mentors, I started feeling more prepared to join the industry. Now, I am a UX/UI and front-end developer, and I work as a freelancer on Minmakani.
"Through technical projects for the program, I was able to hone my coding skills. And among the soft skills PLUS conveys are how to maintain a public presence online that demonstrates my abilities, for example by writing articles on aspects of my work. I also gained a deeper understanding of the norms of professionalism.
"Let me tell you how employers found me. I first updated my LinkedIn profile. I got a job offer through the platform based on my profile demonstrating my professional abilities and skills. He first offered me work for a specific probation period. After that time, he hired me!
"My job involves analyzing a system, creating a sketch of it, and then working on the design. Now, I need to turn the design into reality through a programming language.
"It's a unique skill that not everyone in this field has. I am fortunate to have acquired this technical expertise. This job has unlocked new potential for me to grow as a professional coder. I can’t be grateful enough to have gotten a job at this young age."
Walaa
Walaa Sbaih, 20, studies computer systems engineering at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. Following completion of Anera PLUS, she has found part-time work as a systems developer while she completes her college degree.
"Since my childhood I've had a passion for programming and have participated in small competitions. It was by chance that I heard about the Anera-RBK program.
"My experience in the program was more than wonderful. I learned a lot about programming and software. I learned how to deal with stress. I learned to accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently."
"It's a golden opportunity."
"I first heard about the PLUS program from an ad on Facebook. It was an intensive course. That’s what I liked the most about it.
"The program teaches you how to discover yourself and your skills, and helps you develop them through practice.
"There are also several aspects covered by the program that are not limited to the technical side. It develops a student’s personality to make them qualified and attractive on the labor market. So it's very helpful for youth.
"I had never imagined that I would get a job at this age and before graduating from the university. But when I joined the program, I learned a lot in a short time. My skills grew and developed and I began to gain experience in the field."
"The program gave me the confidence to search and apply at several companies and this has helped me ace the interviews."
"Now, I am working as a systems developer in the Future Company. I am responsible for adding a new feature to the systems they work on, in addition to several other responsibilities.
"The market has many competitive jobs that require people to have experience on the technical side and be able to work within a team and have the skills needed to communicate with others.
"My tips for young people trying to enter this field are to always be learning new things and organize your time well and your methods for solving the problems you face. If I can do it, you can too."
Israa
"I joined this program to become a full stack computer engineer. I am motivated to complete this program from having such a great team and many wonderful instructors. I am learning how to organize my thoughts, manage my time, code and problem solve.
"Understanding technology is important because we depend on it daily. It can make our lives easier."
— Israa is a 25-year-old from Tulkarem, West Bank, Palestine studying computer engineering and an Anera PLUS coding student.
Ahmed
"We apply what we've learned in the Anera+RBK program — technical and interpersonal skills — to excel in developing our APP, 'Explore the Best Places.'
“I learned a lot of great skills in this program that I can rely on for a better future. I had a wonderful experience. Despite COVID-19, I have purpose while staying at home. I can focus on developing my APPs."
— Ahmed, lives in Gaza and is a recent graduate of the Anera PLUS coding program and developer of 'Explore the Best Places.'
Fatima
"I am working on an app that will help my community. It will help local farmers and potential customers easily buy and sell cows, sheep and their dairy products from each other.
"Farmers can buy and sell through the app without having to go to a market. For buyers, they can search for a product like milk and enter the quantity needed to get quotes from farmers.
"Many of the farmers are women, as are the people developing this app. So it's very empowering!"
— Fatima lives in Gaza and is a recent graduate of the Anera PLUS coding program and developer of "Dairy for All."
Safaa
"I'm creating an application that helps you buy and sell used items. If you want to make space in your home, this application can help. You upload a photo of the item you want to sell on our website and then anyone can buy it on the site's marketplace.
"If you don’t have a lot of money but you want to buy something nice for your home, you can use our website to find used items in great condition."
— Safaa lives in Gaza and is a recent graduate of the Anera PLUS coding program and developer of "Some Space."
Karam
Karam is another one of our Anera PLUS students in Gaza. His cohort completed the first stage of the coding and technology program and are eager to move on the the next!
Rula
Rula is one of our Anera PLUS students in Gaza. Her cohort completed the first stage of the coding and technology program and are eager to move on the the next!
