LocationsVoo and Beyond: How One Syrian Woman is Transforming STEM Education for Children and Youth
March 5, 2025
"Some of my earliest memories are of accompanying my mother to work at the University, where she was a professor in the Faculty of Computer Systems Engineering," recalls Leen Alaya, a 24-year-old innovator from Aleppo, Syria. Growing up in an environment surrounded by technology, Leen’s passion for computer science was ignited early. By age eight, she was already participating in national informatics Olympiads and hackathons, demonstrating a keen interest in problem-solving and programming.
This early exposure to the world of technology set the stage for her remarkable journey.
When the time came to choose a university major, computer science was the natural choice. However, it was robotics that truly captivated Leen. Her passion for robotics was not just a subject of study, but a field she was deeply dedicated to.
Unlike traditional programming, robotics offered a hands-on, interactive learning experience, which she found more engaging and effective. While studying at university, Leen taught programming in more than 50 centres and, after graduating, took a bold step—she opened her own training centre to teach children and youth.
Through her teaching experiences, Leen sought new ways to simplify programming for children. “Learning a programming language is like learning any language—the earlier you start, the easier it is to absorb and master,” she explains.
This realisation led her to a groundbreaking idea—creating a comprehensive educational tool for children.
This innovative tool promises to revolutionize the way children learn programming, sparking their interest and nurturing their skills from a young age.
Thus, Voo was born.
Using her limited resources, Leen purchased a used 3D printer to build the prototype of Voo, a robotic learning tool designed to teach children programming robotics. Unfortunately, the printer was faulty, and the prototype failed to function. The disappointment was profound, but she did not give up.
At a time when her financial situation was unstable and hope was slipping away, an opportunity arose. “I received the link to register for a UNDP project from multiple people in my circle, and I decided to give it a shot,” she recalls. When she was accepted into the German-funded “Provision of Social and Economic Support to Women and PWDs in Aleppo” project, it felt like a lifeline at the last moment.
The comprehensive training programme offered by UNDP transformed her approach. Focused on business and financial literacy, the training covered essential aspects such as cost calculation, profit analysis, marketing strategies, and business sustainability. This has empowered Leen with the knowledge and skills to turn her dreams into reality.
With the support provided by the project, Leen was able to purchase a new 3D printer and the necessary electronic components and circuits to bring Voo to life. What had once seemed like an unattainable dream became a reality.
Thanks to the support of our partners, the Government of Germany through its Development Bank KfW, Leen transformed a childhood dream into a revolutionary learning tool, opening doors for future generations.
Leen is one of 85 individuals, including 32 Persons with Disabilities, who were able to turn their dreams into reality and start their own businesses through this project.
“Voo is more than just a robot. It is an interactive learning companion. Children start by programming Voo and watching their commands come to life,” said Leen. “As they progress, they learn about hardware, exploring its circuits, sensors, and components”. Voo also comes with a booklet containing exercises tailored to different learning levels, making it a comprehensive tool for introducing young minds to technology. The robot can execute up to 100 exercises and commands, including movement and text-to-speech, making learning a fun and interactive experience.
Beyond the technical and financial support, one of the most valuable outcomes of the project was networking. “Building relationships is just as important as money because strong connections pave the way for profitability and sustainability,” Leen says.
The journey, however, was not without its difficulties. As a young woman, she faced many challenges. “At 17, I participated in a hackathon, and when I shared my technical notes with my all-male teammates, my contributions were repeatedly ignored. When I finally spoke up, they dismissed me, saying, ‘A young girl like you cannot have this level of technical knowledge.’” But instead of discouraging her, these experiences fuelled her determination to succeed in a male-dominated field. "There were times I wanted to quit, but my mom’s encouragement kept me going. I was determined to prove myself in this field and refused to let the negative voices around me deter me from my goal," she added.
Leen’s journey has only just begun. Seeing how children connect emotionally to Voo, treating it not just as a tool but as a companion, she decided to expand its reach.
Using the marketing skills she gained from UNDP, Leen is developing a social media platform where Voo serves as a digital character providing programming tips and AI-related content.
She is currently working on Voo 2.0, which will have hands and expanded functionality. The goal is to integrate it with PictoBlox, a creator tool for coding, AI, AR-VR, and robotics, and eventually, develop Voo’s own standalone application.
Leen’s message to young innovators, especially women in STEM, is clear:
“Follow your passion and make the best of what you have. Take it one step at a time. You can create something out of virtually nothing. With patience and perseverance, success will come.”
She has already taught children as young as 4.5 years old, proving that age is never a barrier to learning. “If time and money were not an issue, my dream would be to establish a fully accredited academy that welcomes young learners and nurtures them into future innovators.”
As she continues to break barriers, Leen’s story is a tribute to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the impact of programmes that support young women in STEM.
"I was determined to prove myself in this field and refused to let the negative voices around me deter me from my goal"Leen Alaya from Aleppo
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