MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING
Our Story
The Transfer of Knowledge (TOK) organization was founded in 2022 by Bjeen Alhassan with the intention of supporting women and girls whose greatest difficulty and barrier is having to overcome obstacles to access education and independence. It is an extension of her first project ‘Learning with Bijîn’.
The objective: Thriving in Germany
Bjeen Alhassan’s motivation goes back to her own story. As a Kurdish minority, she had to flee to Syria to escape the war. At the age of 22, she started a new life in Germany. She knows from her own experience how difficult it is to get started in a new country, to overcome social barriers and to confront prejudice. Bjeen was fortunate to be given access to education and valuable resources, but she is aware that such opportunities still seem out of reach for many – especially for women and girls in conflict zones, who are often the first to lose their rights and opportunities.
Awarded the National Integration Prize
The project was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to help refugee women learn German and integrate into a new culture. “Lernen mit Bijin” soon received national recognition and was awarded the National Integration Prize by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2020.
In the following year, 2021, Bjeen received the Federal Cross of Merit from the German Federal President for her special commitment to people with a migration background. This recognition reinforced her decision to further develop her work and found TOK. Bjeen quickly realized that these women and girls not only need education, but also a community that understands their difficulties – a place where they can develop their skills and a strong network that supports them in overcoming obstacles and benefiting from them.
Why we do what we do
Unfortunately, millions of women and girls around the world still have no access to education, which severely restricts their social and financial independence. Particularly in conflict-ridden regions, they are usually denied the opportunity to attend school or vocational training. Many refugee women remain unemployed despite being highly qualified because they often lack support for further education and everyday challenges. In societies that act with less equality, financial independence and professional success are problematic for women.
We believe that women and girls who have the right tools don’t just change their own lives. They also influence their communities and contribute to change. Education, self-confidence and independence are powerful and influential tools. Every success and recognition for a woman brings us closer to an inclusive world.
Facilitating developments, changing futures
Our conviction that sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences is crucial is represented by the name “Transfer of Knowledge”. We are committed to a future in which knowledge and valuable resources are made accessible to everyone and one day become a natural right for all. By empowering women and girls, we create opportunities for independence and facilitate innovative developments in society. In doing so, we not only positively change individual lives, but even entire communities.
Our sponsors
We would like to thank all our sponsor who support our mission.
