Our story
Take a trip down memory lane with us, as we share about the origins and journey of the AILEM movement.
2nd of February 2021
Creation of AILEM
AILEM was created by co-founders, Abobakar and Xinny at UWC Atlantic College. A simple idea of an app to support refugees and asylum seekers was created from humble origins.
May 2021
First grant and support
Following the creation, AILEM received its first seed funding and support from the inaugural UWC Lighthouse Award. The recognition is an early signs that AILEM will prosper into a promising initiative.
March 2022
AILEM's first app version
Almost a year since the creation of the concept, AILEM was first available to be downloaded on Google Play, shortly followed with the Apple iOS version.
October 2022
Meet our Mascot, Habibi
We welcome our new mascot, Habibi the Sand Cat. A special and resilient cat native to the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa, who represents the app.
July 2022
Lauching AILEM Refugee Scheme
The new schemed provided stipend scheme for refugees who help AILEM translate content or writing stories. Together we build an app "Created by refugees, for refugees".
September 2022
AILEM 2.0 Update
The AILEM 2.0 version released a new feature, AILEM exchange, allowing users to be able to interact with each other through posts.
January 2023
AILEM's New Years Update
The New Year's Update was the largest update to date, with the announcement of a new feature, AILEM games. Users can practice the language through interactive games.
March 2023
AILEM's First Refugee Day
Hosted at UWC Altantic College, our volunteering team and students welcomed more than 70 refugees. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, they came together with enthusiasm and energy, embracing the chance to connect, explore, and have fun.
April 2023
AILEM Refugee Day at Malawi
Our first event in Africa, "Sanaa Weekend", involved more than 1000 refugees at Dzaleka Refugee Camp. An app presentation along with a music and dance festival that brought joy and excitement to the community.
May 2023
First place in the European Charlamagne Youth Prize
The Prize is an award run jointly by the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen that highlights projects by young people to strengthen democracy and support active participation
July 2023
Our iPad Launch at Dzaleka Refugee Camp
Our Malawi team hosted the iPads launch day inviting eager and bright youths from the camp to use the iPads for educational purposes. These iPads will be easily accessible day to day for the youths. AILEM also launched a monthly educational challenge for the youths to engage with multidisciplinary research using the iPads.
July 2023
Care packages distribution event at Bangladesh
AILEM organized a remarkable a care package distribution event, extending support to 200 Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) residing in Rohingya camp 1E. The event is in collaboration with The ICT Division of Bangladesh, the Saiham Group, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and Skill Finesse.
Looking back on the past year in depth...
