Deggan Farah
I'm Deggan, a Sprout Ideas Fellow based in Ottawa. I work in program coordination, mentoring youth and helping organize placements and events, which sparked my interest in creating spaces where young people can grow and feel supported. My own path into tech started through Command Add Girls, where I learned web development from a peer mentor who later became a close friend, and I now help lead workshops through that same organization. That experience showed me how much a single supportive introduction to tech can change someone's confidence. Through my Fellowship project, She Codes, I'm building a beginner-friendly tech event for girls and young women, so they can have that same first positive experience I did, and start seeing themselves as capable of succeeding in tech.
SheCodes
SheCodes is a beginner-friendly technology event designed for girls and young women who are curious about tech but haven't had much access to it. Through a hands-on workshop and a themed team challenge, participants use AI-assisted tools to build a simple website addressing a real problem in their community, no coding experience required. Delivered in partnership with Command Add Girls, SheCodes focuses on building confidence, creativity, and connection, giving participants a positive first step into tech.
About this Project
Communities Served
My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.
How the project works
SheCodes is a half-day workshop where girls and young women learn to use AI-assisted tools, then apply that skill to build a simple website solving a real community problem in themed teams. The event includes mentorship, live building time, and final presentations, taking place in January.
Project Impact
SheCodes aims to give girls and young women a confidence-building first experience with technology, helping them see tech as accessible and relevant to their lives. Participants leave having built a real website, gained beginner tech skills, and connected with mentors and peers, encouraging them to keep exploring tech opportunities beyond the event itself.
Project Mission
SheCodes' mission is to create an inclusive space where girls and young women can explore technology, build confidence, and develop practical skills. The goal is to show participants that tech is accessible and useful for solving real problems, encouraging them to see themselves succeeding in tech spaces and continue learning long after the event ends.
Project Team
Currently a solo-led project by one Sprout Ideas Fellow, with volunteers and mentors being recruited.
Donate to Sprout to support fellows
Support young social innovators by donating to the Sprout Ideas Fund, providing capacity-building and resources needed to launch projects that create positive social change.
Donate Now