Samana Story
قصة سمانا
Samana is a non-profit organization that operates under the aegis of The Portland Trust, which aims to promote the economic development of the social periphery in Israel via programs that integrate under-represented youngsters into the hi-tech industry
Samana NGO, meaning "Our Sky" in Arabic, is an exciting initiative led by Bushra Mazareb to integrate Bedouin women into Israel's tech sector. As a former school principal for almost nine years, Bushra witnessed the limited opportunities for Bedouin women firsthand. She saw that they were a valuable workforce, capable of succeeding if given the chance. However, she also observed the lack of pathways for these women to realize their full potential.
Bushra and Rihan Khutba, who is the CTO of Samana and a Technion Engineering program graduate, have pooled their extensive expertise to spearhead an innovative initiative. With over a decade of experience in leading automation and DevOps in high-tech companies, Rihan's skills complement Bushra's vision. Together, as co-founders, they embarked on a partnership with Portland Trust in 2022 to launch Samana
The organization's key goal is to provide quality employment for young Bedouin women in the Northern communities while balancing cultural sensitivity with a commitment to excellence. Through a screening process, Samana carefully identifies promising candidates and offers them professional training in a supportive environment. Participants are placed in a four-month bootcamp which equips them with both technical and soft skills for a career in QA automation and QA for ERP and CRM systems within the technology sector.
A technological hub for Samana women was set up in Zarzir out of consideration to cultural sensitivities. The hub, which is in alignment with the network of Portland Israel's employment centers for other minorities communities, served as a secured space for women while also functioning as an excellence center across various technological fields.
The inaugural cohort of Samana completed its training in March 2023, with all fourteen graduates now employed as software QA Automation engineers at SolarEdge. What started as a groundbreaking idea has transformed into a life-changing reality for Bedouin women who view Samana as their opportunity for success.
Embraced and valued by the community, Samana instills hope for a brighter future among women, their families, and the entire community.
More than just a name, Samana embodies the realization of a dream, a promise for a better life, and proof that the sky is not the limit, but the beginning of endless possibilities
Samana Team
Bushra Mazareb, CEO
Bushra, Samana CEO, holds a degree in Software Engineering from Nazareth College and a second degree in Educational Consulting from Orenim College.
She has been managing a school in Zerzir over the past decade. In her previous roles, she spearheaded projects such as connecting dispersed Bedouin communities in the South, closing the digital gap in Arab society, and conducting training sessions in the field of computer science.
As a local leader and entrepreneur, she works towards empowering Bedouin women in the Galilee.
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Rihan Khutba, Samana CTO
Riham Khutba, the technological leader of Samana, holds a degree in
Engineering from the Technion. With over 10 years of experience as the
head of automation in various high-tech companies, she brings a wealth of
expertise to the role. As the technological leader at Samana, she guides
and mentors the graduates and oversees all technological aspects of the
program within the hub and in collaboration with the employers.
Samana Success Stories
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Bariya Jawamis
QA Automation Engineer at SolarEdge
My name is Bariya Jawamis, 28 years old from Zarzir. I hold aa Mathematics and Special Education degree from the University of Haifa. After completing my studies, I worked in various education-related roles. When I heard about the Samana project, despite any concerns about the potential challenges, I recognized the unique opportunity and significant contribution that Samana provides to Bedouin women in bridging educational, economic, and cultural gaps. Through hard work and strong motivation, I successfully completed the training and integrated into the Hi-Tech industry. Samana gave me the chance to have meaningful work that once seemed to be out of reach for me. I am incredibly happy to be a graduate of the first course of Samana and proud of what I have achieved.
