Final Day Of English Camp

We had a wonderful day today! Our English Camp concluded and we had lots of guests that helped us celebrate. I was touched deeply by the families of the special needs children who were so happy their kids were included in the activities and that they would receive certificates for the camp. I have spent only three days with their kids, and I can only imagine the energy, patience, and devotion it must take to care for them full-time. The kids were a lot of fun, and I only got bit once (I probably deserved it). There was a wonderful transition in the activities where the teachers turned the corner and began to understand the children and the children began to trust them. The other kids followed suit and soon it was almost impossible to tell which children were which - except for Hashem of course, who bolted almost every three minutes :)
We identified to Syrian refugees, sisters Zina and Jaina for our scholarships. I am so proud of the work we have done here with the help of dozens and dozens of new and old friends. Never has 20 hour work days been so fun rewarding! I borrow a lot of love and energy, but I feel a crash coming soon........
Thank you to everyone who has helped us with this adventure. Tomorrow, we wrap things up with the teachers and I am off for Chicago. I will miss Arar and its family. Not for too long though :)
From a teacher yesterday: "Mr. Michael today was a really wonderful day and the interaction of the student with us and their integration was more than yesterday. We really enjoyed it. We wish you were with us and tomorrow will be a very wonderful day. We have prepared it well and our performance and interaction will be better and better. New experiences and how to deal with all groups with all love and vitality and patience and teach us how to be in the form of the required, thank you very much for this session"
After a lot of arm twisting, I got the team to go with me to the Yemeni restaurant for some foule, salta, and other yummy goodness :)

Digging the Arar and MVCC T-Shirts :)

Super Teachers

A good role model

Losing the water balloon fight

Payback

Abeer, my favorite dance partner

Suad, the Cake Boss of Irbid

Certificate and MVCC bag time

Zina and Jaina, our scholarship recipients :)

Here with Alaa and Moatisim (the school benefactor)

Our great volunteer, Heba!

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow