Assalaamu Alaykum WaRahmatullahi WaBarakatahu,
"There are no words to truly capture all that I have seen and felt but without a doubt, this was by far one of the most incredible experiences of my life", shared a Youth for Jordan participant. These sentiments echoed throughout the week long trip as 17 brothers and 21 sister visited
HHRD's Middle East North Africa (MENA) offices and worked along side professionals to provide humanitarian relief to
Palestinian and Syrian Refugees; as well as, local needy Jordanian families.
With Sr. Suzy Ismail and Shaykh Omar Sulieman as guest mentors, these youth were submerged in the daily realties faced by the less fortunate in refugee camps, orphanages, and disability centers. Br. Qasim Mazhar, Director of the
"Youth Empowerment Program" along with HHRD USA representatives Srs. Nadia Zeeshan and Gul Siddiqi led the program with HHRD MENA Director Sh. Yaser ElKholy.
They began their trip by visiting an HHRD "Skills Development Center" which trains women in a variety of crafts in order to earn a living.
These women support their families and motivate all those around them.
From there they went to an HHRD Syrian Orphanage were they played with the children, handed out gifts and school supplies.
The following day they visited a Palestinian Refugee camp, painted a shelter there and spent a fun filled day with orphans at an amusement park.
The Youth for Jordan team spent a day planting trees with Syrian orphans, they followed with distributing backpacks, as well as food packages to Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
Lastly, the trip culminated with the delivery of Caravan Homes to replace tents for Syrian Refugees, distribution of food to over 70 families as well as toys to precious orphan children.
HHRD is extremely proud of the
Youth For Jordan team of volunteers who spent their break working alongside our HHRD MENA staff with hopes of helping those in desperate need. However, this work does not stop here.
"We thought going to Jordan meeting Syrian refugees we would would change their lives, yet instead they changed ours. Every smile, every laugh will forever be memories that can never be erased. Their spirit, their joy will always remind me that Allah will never burden a soul to which he/she cannot handle and SubhanAllah these kids are some of the bravest souls I have ever met."- Youth For Jordan participant.
Programs such as HHRD's "Youth Empowerment" require continuous support from our generous donors. HHRD MENA's extensive work in the region is just the beginning. To donate toward HHRD Syrian Refugee Relief visit our
website.
Wasalaam Walaykum WaRahamtullahi WaBarakatahu,
-HHRD Team
