JERUSALEM | Egyptian and Jordanian Seeds took part in a pair of community service projects in August. The 21 Seeds and eight friends engaged the disabled and orphan communities, giving many of the participants their first experiences working with these groups.
Ten Jordanian Seeds participated in a community service day in Amman at Our Lady of Peace Centre, which works to provide care and opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. The students spent time with a group of young children and learned about the Centre’s work, as well as how to respect and enhance the dignity of people with disabilities and empower their participation in society. Afterwards, the group gathered back together to discuss and reflect on their experience.
“Since the group was relatively small, participants with different experiences felt comfortable to speak and share their true feelings about a subject that is considered a cultural taboo,” said Jordanian Programs Coordinator Farah Bdour.
“A variety of viewpoints were presented that tackled the issues of raising public awareness on disability and supporting the disabled’s rights to be treated as equal citizens.”
Meanwhile, 15 Seeds and four friends hosted a fun day for about 130 kids at the Enkaz El Tofoula Orphanage in Cairo on September 5, with each volunteer hosting activities like soccer and capture the flag. It was the photography, however, that sparked the kids’ attention the most.
“About an hour into the activities, the kids gathered around Miriam (the photographer) and asked for them to be photographed,” said Habeeba, one of the event organizers. “Some struck poses and others just smiled at the camera, and they also asked to photograph each other. One of the kids approached me and asked to get a copy of the photos because ‘he wanted to remember this day forever.’”
OUR LADY OF PEACE CENTRE PHOTOS