| The Collateral Repair Project in affiliation with International Humanities Center Celebrating Iraqi Students in Al-Jofa, Amman |
Home
The Al-Jofa district of Amman has a high concentration of
Iraqi refugees living there because of the inexpensive
rents in this impoverished area. Very little aid reaches
the people who live in Al-Jofa.
Traditionally, at the end of final exams in Iraq, schools
hold celebrations for their students. Education, even for
the youngest students, is taken very seriously in the
Middle East. In Iraq, prior to the devastation of its
educational system resulting from the occupation, there
was an extensive and sophisticated education system.
Iraqis are naturally proud of this and their intellectual
achievements.
However, until September 07, Iraqi refugee children in
Jordan were not allowed to attend public schools. Many
children missed 2 or more years of schooling, leaving
them struggling to catch up. Many still are unable to
attend at all. So completing a school year for these
students is more deserving of a celebration than ever.
Our team wanted us to acknowledge the struggles and
achievements of these young students. So, on their day of
celebration, Maha took each student a special envelope
with a small cash gift and presented it to them at this
celebration. She wanted the students and their families to
Iraqi refugees living there because of the inexpensive
rents in this impoverished area. Very little aid reaches
the people who live in Al-Jofa.
Traditionally, at the end of final exams in Iraq, schools
hold celebrations for their students. Education, even for
the youngest students, is taken very seriously in the
Middle East. In Iraq, prior to the devastation of its
educational system resulting from the occupation, there
was an extensive and sophisticated education system.
Iraqis are naturally proud of this and their intellectual
achievements.
However, until September 07, Iraqi refugee children in
Jordan were not allowed to attend public schools. Many
children missed 2 or more years of schooling, leaving
them struggling to catch up. Many still are unable to
attend at all. So completing a school year for these
students is more deserving of a celebration than ever.
Our team wanted us to acknowledge the struggles and
achievements of these young students. So, on their day of
celebration, Maha took each student a special envelope
with a small cash gift and presented it to them at this
celebration. She wanted the students and their families to
know that their achievement were recognized, just as they were in
Iraq, and as a way of allowing them to experience a little of what their
life would have been like if they were still in their home country.
Maha told the students that these gifts were from Americans who are
againt the war and who recognize that the people on both sides are
innocent. She told them that this was a way for the American people to
reach out to them in friendship.
Your financial support made this gesture of peace and respect
possible. The looks of joy on the faces of these students express
their gratitude more than words can!
Iraq, and as a way of allowing them to experience a little of what their
life would have been like if they were still in their home country.
Maha told the students that these gifts were from Americans who are
againt the war and who recognize that the people on both sides are
innocent. She told them that this was a way for the American people to
reach out to them in friendship.
Your financial support made this gesture of peace and respect
possible. The looks of joy on the faces of these students express
their gratitude more than words can!