Photo: Reema Abu Ramadan (YES 2014-2015, hosted by AFS in Kansas City, MO) and Marah Aburahma (YES 2014-2015, hosted by ASSE in Laurel, MD) visited with the elderly. 

"Our vision is for a healthy, compassionate, vibrant world. Our mission is to ensure the Community Benefit Sector has practical tools for accomplishing those visionary ends. We do this work by convening, engaging, mobilizing, and supporting the sector to ensure we all have the means to make our world an amazing place.”

YES alumni in Gaza, inspired by the quote above, took service-leadership roles from June 30 until July 5, 2016. The alumni organized a two-phase event in the Gaza Strip in partnership with the nongovernmental organization Education for Employment (EFE), which included visits to a nursing home and an orphanage. 

The elderly people’s visit took place at Al Wafaa Hospital, a nice building that has a garden surrounded by chairs. Upon arrival, the elders were so kind to the alumni. The alumni learned a lot from the elders as they shared their old stories. Also, the alumni were able to share some of their experience and stories, and tell some jokes. Afterwards, YES alumni distributed hygiene kits.

Photo: Volunteers from left to right, Omar Alrabi (YES '13), Marah Almalak (YES '15), Marah Aburahma (YES '15), Yahya Ashour (YES '15), and Reema Aburamadan (YES '15).

This visit taught the volunteers many life lessons. Reema remarked, “I loved this experience, and I will keep doing it on my own”.

During phase two, YES alumni visited an independent, non-profit human rights organization for orphaned and abandoned children. The non-profit sponsors these orphans until they are 18 years old in order to help them succeed.

Photo: Marah Aburahma (YES 2014-2015, hosted by ASSE in Laurel, MD) and Tala Shurrab (YES 2014-2015, hosted by PAX in Richland, MO) built a stick tower with the children at the orphanage.

The YES alumni taught the children how to see the bright side even when life is difficult. They delivered a message of hope and led activities geared towards preparing the orphans to reintegrate into the community. The alumni led icebreakers, face painting, and demonstrated how much fun it can be to play in groups. 

Throughout their time at the orphanage, YES alumni strived towards effective leadership and teambuilding activities.

Photo: Bashar Abu Ramadan (YES 2013-2014, hosted by AFS in Joseph, OR) led an icebreaker for the children.

At the end of the day, YES alumni distributed small gifts provided by the EFE to remind the children that they are not alone. This message was especially important during the typically family-orientated time of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. 

And it seems to have worked. One of the children said, “I will never forget such a day, I learned a lot of things and I am feeling so happy.”