How can the universal language of programming help refugees in Austria?
Millions of families have left their homes to look for a better and safer life but it can be a challenge to integrate into a new community and to find study and work opportunities. Recognising this, T-Mobile (part of Deutsche Telekom) supports a charity called Refugees {Code}, which runs programming courses for refugees in Austria.
T-Mobile provides an internet connection for the courses and, in 2018, the two organisations worked together on a 24-hour hacking marathon in Vienna. 21 students joined experienced developers at the hackathon to exchange knowledge and gain vital programming experience.
As Imad from Syria comments, “When I arrived in Austria, there were hardly any possibilities for me. That changed when I learned a new language: programming. This was my chance to prove myself, to show what I can do, the opportunity to create something real, to meet people and find a job.” As a result of the programming course, Imad and several other students have found employment.
