Her story is one of hope, perseverance, and impact—demonstrating that with vision and commitment, education can unlock opportunities for the world’s most vulnerable children
Rudayna Abdo’s journey from displacement to global recognition is a powerful story of resilience, purpose, and social impact. As the founder of Thaki, a social impact organisation dedicated to refugee and marginalised children, Abdo has turned personal hardship into opportunity to expand access to education across the Middle East and beyond.
Her work received global attention recognition as she was honoured with the TRT World Citizen Educator Award, an honour to innovators who play key role in ensuring educational access and quality of life to communities which are marginalised due to unpredictable situations.
For Abdo, the award represents more than recognition; it validates a lifelong commitment shaped by conflict, displacement, and a belief in education as a catalyst for change.
Abdo’s motivation is deeply personal. As a Palestinian and the daughter of refugees, she has witnessed the effects of war and instability firsthand. This lived experience drives her determination to ensure that vulnerable children can learn, dream, and rebuild their futures through education.
Founded in 2015, Thaki—which means “smart” in Arabic and also symbolises “the key”—uses an innovative model to bridge the education gap
The organisation repurposes donated laptops and digital learning software from global companies and distributes them to schools serving refugee communities.
Its offline educational platform in Arabic and English ensures children can learn even in areas with limited internet access. Over the past decade, more than 60,000 learners in Lebanon, Jordan, and other regions have benefited, with plans to scale the model to reach hundreds of thousands more.
Beyond academic learning, Thaki focuses on emotional resilience. In partnership with the Dutch innovation agency TNO, the organisation co-developed Nour’s World, an ed-tech programme designed to help young children manage trauma and build emotional strength.
Teachers and students report remarkable outcomes, with former beneficiaries pursuing higher education and returning to volunteer, and many children gaining confidence and self-reliance.
Abdo’s vision extends beyond education to sustainability. By giving discarded technology a second life, Thaki addresses the global e-waste problem while empowering disadvantaged learners.
Her ambition is to scale the model globally, proving that technology, when thoughtfully reused, can become a powerful tool for social change.
Recognised also as a Schwab Social Entrepreneurship Fellow nominee and featured on global platforms such as TEDx and the World Economic Forum, Rudayna Abdo stands as a leading voice in education and social innovation.
