Çisem Kaço from Türkiye is the YES Student of the Month
By: Taha Ferfir (YES 2018-2019, Libya, placed by Ayusa in San Antonio, TX)
Earlier this year, the YES Alumni Association Libya (YAAL) wrapped up the final phase of our YAAL Mentorship Program, where we welcomed back new returnees from the U.S. and equipped them with the skills to succeed personally and professionally. One of our goals was to inspire these alumni to give back to their communities and lead their own projects.
Eager to make an impact, the new YES alumni, guided by seasoned members, launched the English Corner, a conversation club designed to give young Libyans a lively, supportive space to practice English. The YES Alumni Association Libya worked hard on every detail, from securing venues in Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sabha, to crafting lesson plans and reaching nearly 1,000 young people through sign-up forms. In the end, we selected 51 passionate participants, each bringing their own energy and enthusiasm.
Every Saturday for 6 weeks, the English Corner came to life with conversations about art, music, travel, and current events. Alumni facilitators built sessions on CELTA standards, ensuring they were engaging and effective. Reflecting on the experience, Mohamed Elmarzugi ‘19, who co-managed the project, shared, “Being able to co-manage the English Corner project is something close to my heart. It’s a project I wanted the YES Alumni Association to take on for years, and I’m thrilled we were finally able to make it happen. I’m especially proud of the newer YES alumni—without them, this project wouldn’t have been possible. For some, it was their first time volunteering, yet they helped manage every single detail. I felt that we all learned together as the project progressed. Volunteering with the YES Alumni Association Libya while being away from home hasn’t always been easy, but they always step up to help, and I’m grateful to each one of them.”
Taha Ferfir ‘19, who co-managed the program with Mohamed, extended his gratitude by sharing: “Through the years, I have witnessed the YES alumni network in Libya grow little by little, leaving an outstanding impact in the community with every alumnus being one of a kind. The English Corner, at its core, was a nurturing and innovative space not only for the attendants but also for the facilitators, who were YES alumni developing their experience in lesson planning, classroom management, and operating sessions in their own cities. Also, it has been quite a journey for myself to enhance my leadership, coordination, and English teaching skills, which were made easier to implement with my knowledge from the WYLET program. It has been an honor mentoring and leading a group of bright alumni conducting sessions in three cities across the nation, as I observed their excellence in every session held. The skills alumni learned throughout their year reflected enormously on the project’s success and impact!”
Oday Omar '24, the leader in Sabha, reflected, “The project enriched my experience in teaching. In each lesson, I was enhancing my teaching style more and more. Additionally, I have developed a stronger sense of responsibility and the ability to handle unexpected challenges when they occur.”
In total, we held 17 interactive sessions, and feedback showed a remarkable 4.4 out of 5 rating from participants, many of whom noted a new confidence in speaking English. One participant shared, “This program has given me the courage to speak up and express myself in ways I couldn’t before.” The facilitators felt their own growth too, with one saying, “I’ve learned to adapt my teaching techniques and collaborate effectively with others.”
Beyond language practice, the English Corner created real connections and helped the organizing team to enhance their coordination skills even more. Another team member, Malik Gassar ‘24 who currently studies abroad in Egypt reflected, “Through this project, I’ve learned that being part of my home community isn’t related to being actually present there but is about enhancing my coordination skills.”
For the YES Alumni Association Libya, this project was about more than just language skills; it was about creating community. The English Corner’s success inspires us to dream bigger, envisioning a future where young Libyans everywhere find their voice and connect through the power of language. Each team member walked away inspired by the power of giving back and the impact we can create as YES alumni.
The English Corner stands as a reminder of the potential for young Libyans to connect, grow, and build the skills that will shape their futures, one conversation at a time.
Mohamed Elmarzugi (YES 2018-2019, Libya, placed by AFS-USA in Sheboygan, WI)
Oday Omar (YES 2023-2024, Libya, placed by PAX in Lafayette, IN)
Malik Gassar (YES 2023-2024, Libya, placed by BFF in Holly Springs, CO)
Read more about the YAAL Mentorship Program which trained the new Libyan YES alumni to run this event: https://www.yesprograms.org/st...