PALESTINIAN DEVELOPERS JOIN FEMALE-LED HEALTHCARE STARTUP

TOGETHER, THEY BUILD A BETTER FUTURE AND AN INNOVATIVE PRODUCT

RANA & ASEM -? PURSUE THEIR PASSION FOR CODING

Rana Obaid, a 25-year-old computer engineer and graduate from Al Azhar University from Gaza, has always had a passion for coding with a dream to work in the telecommunication industry. Due to the high unemployment rate and harsh economic conditions in Gaza, Rana’s dream went unfulfilled until she joined the Gaza Sky Geeks’ Code Academy . Rana felt driven by her passion for coding as she was introduced to real coding and networking.?

“Gaza Sky Geeks’ Code Academy has changed my life literally, I am a different person! I am more courageous and more outgoing.” -Rana Obaid

Asem Abu Masalmeh, a 31-year-old developer, graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a major in accounting. Asem never felt that accounting suited him nor his ambition. He had always been interested in coding and decided to join the Gaza Sky Geeks’ Coding Academy to pursue his lifetime passion.

“ It was a chance for me to learn to code professionally and shift my career. With the help and support given to me from the Gaza Sky Geeks’ team, I feel I am on the right track.” -Asem Abu Msalameh

REMOTE TALENT THAT STANDS OUT?

Working remotely with MiProbes through the Gaza Sky Geeks/Google for Startups Internship Program was Rana and Asem’s first real job after the Code Academy. MiProbes is an optimization system that helps health-curious people learn more about their health without going to the doctor by analyzing urine. The app develops new diagnostics as it informs people of their current health status and helps them maintain and improve their health. The test is fast and cheap and allows anyone with a smartphone to measure key health markers at home without the need to visit a doctor or a laboratory.?

“ It was the first time for us dealing with real clients, the project depended on us only. We had the full trust of our team to divide work and make the needed changes. MiProbes depended on us.” -Rana Obeid

Rana and Asem had to learn a new skill and framework for their internship. They had to extend their experience to work on ‘Angular’ which was a missing skill for both of them.

“Shifting to a new framework was very hectic for us, especially in a limited-time project. But, it was such a great experience.” -Asem Abu Msalameh

GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS AND GAZA SKY GEEKS’ PARTNERSHIP CHANGES LIVES

The Google for Startups announcement couldn’t have happened at a better time for Dr. Nina and Dr. Augusta, the founders of MiProbes, who were in the early stages of their startup and in search of talented developers to launch their product.??

“It was perfect timing for us, and something I could take advantage of from Google for Startups. So, we' wee super keen to work together.? MiProbes is a 100% remote team, which made it easy for us to be able to collaborate internationally across borders.”-Dr. Nina

Right after securing funding, Dr. Nina and? Dr. Augusta,? two scientists with limited knowledge of software development, knew they needed to hire suitable tech expertise to move their product along quicker than they could on their own. They had never previously considered Palestine as a destination of tech talent. Luckily, with the help of Gaza Sky Geeks’ Talent Matching team, they were matched to? Rana and Asem, who proved to be incredible additions to the MiProbe team.

“ I had no idea that hiring in Palestine was an option. I've known other startups getting scrappy, and hiring developers from different regions like Romania, Ukraine, or Lithuania, and that they've been able to get really good work. I hadn't particularly considered Palestine or Gaza, and then when this opportunity presented itself, I told Augusta, ‘let's try!’ and I was more than impressed!” -Dr.Nina

Dr. Nina and Dr. Augusta share a mutual passion to help people learn of health imbalances and deficiencies in the comfort of their own homes. They both come from a research and diagnostics background.

ANOTHER SUCCESS IN REMOTE HIRING?

The 15-week internship was an enlightening experience for MiProbes and Rana and Asem. Nina and Augusta had no experience working with developers before Rana and Asem joined their team, so it was a learning experience for everyone involved and it was a lot to learn for both of them.

“ I didn’t know how to work with developers. We learned a lot going through that process, getting the support from Google, and also working with Gaza Sky Geeks.” -Dr.Nina

Rana and Asem, fresh graduates from Gaza Sky Geeks’ Code Academy seventh cohort, were empowered by Nina and Augusta’s full trust to make decisions around and execute the needed changes and amendments. The developers faced challenges in communication, operating in their second language, but through patience and perseverance were able to overcome setbacks and improve their confidence in professional communication in English.?

“Rana and Asem worked independently. We would meet once a week to talk about the work that was completed the previous week and set the goals for the next week. It worked very smoothly!”-Dr.Nina

MiProbes is looking to expand the team and hire more developers from Gaza Sky Geeks’ resilient and diverse talent pool.?

HIRING PALESTINIAN TECH TALENT MADE EASY

Gaza Sky Geeks’ Talent Matching team matches full-stack Palestinian tech talent with startups and established companies around the globe. Gaza Sky Geeks, a program of Mercy Corps founded in partnership with Google, is the first tech hub providing quality tech education to motivated youth across all of Palestine. Gaza Sky Geeks is at the forefront of the changing landscape of tech recruitment, on a mission to secure quality remote employment opportunities through coding and freelancing.

Reach out to the GSG Talent Matching Team at: www.gazaskygeeks.com/talent ? ?

Gaza Sky Geeks is a program of Mercy Corps established in partnership with Google in 2011. Committed to providing remote-first, digital employment opportunities for talented, Palestinian youth, Gaza Sky Geeks’ Talent Matching Team connects startups worldwide with the very best junior, full-stack coders vetted through the GSG Coding Academy.