Another step closer

Today I walked into Nabil Badran Centre to find the Self Help Group (SHG) already working without me. Why? Because we have a deadline to finish the teaching materials before entering the UNRWA schools and also because . . . . . they can. In the short space of a few months, the SHG have become much more self-assured and confident computer users which has resulted in the ability to work alone and take steps without the need for feedback or reassurance after each step. I am making myself redundant! Which can only be a good thing.

Leaving the capable group to themselves, my partner coordinator and I went to visit the UNRWA schools to introduce ourselves and arrange to meet a specific class each week. We have chosen three schools in three camps in the south, and from the 22nd of April, when they have finished exams, we will start teaching sign language to three classes every Wednesday, to children in grade 4 and 5, all in all reaching about 120 children. We hope to include these children in future activities that the centre holds, thus giving the children a chance to practice what they are learning and to facilitate truly inclusive activities in Sur.

National Children's Council

The semi annual World Vision National Children's Council meeting was held on Saturday for the 60 representatives of the council, which includes two members of the Self Help Group (SHG), to discuss which qualities are needed to become a good leader. The two members of the SHG, both with speech and hearing impairments participated actively in the discussion showing great strength of character to interact with the other 60 children. Infact, when they spoke, all of the children on the council listened much more intently than they did to other speakers. Their ideas were often followed by rounds of applause and their strength and positive character shined through to make them really a part of the group. The activities that the SHG have been working on have been great for their self confidence, and it was a positive sign to see all of the members of the council interacting with respect for each other.

Progress

Last Wednesday group A of the Self Help Group (SHG) met to continue making teaching materials and to take a workshop in ‘Photoshop’ run by two of the SHG themselves.

When we started making power point presentations at the beginning of the year, it took the group 3 to 4 hours to put one together. Last Wednesday, one of the girls from the group completed one in 40 minutes.

The two photoshop experts displayed their teaching skills, by talking each member of the group through the procedure to cut out a figure from a photo, paste it onto a blank page, but a different background on the photo, remove blemishes from skin and to duplicate the photo and change the colours and hues.

One of the girls who until now had not been at all interested in doing any of the work was not only enthusiastic about making the first photo but also wanted to keep the computer to work on the second one. One of the boys who had also been disinterested in the groups activities asked for the computer program to take home and install on his computer to practice at home.

As a facilitator for the group, it was an encouraging day to see all so enthused and motivated.

Stay tuned for more positive updates and photos from the workshop