We Felt We Made a Difference

The motivation to participate in voluntary work to help others is one of our inner callings. Part of the heritage and culture of the Palestinian people is serving others and bringing benefit for the greater good of the community. My colleague Ibaa and I began brainstorming about how we could participate in voluntary work at civic societies due to our passion for social solidarity in ourselves and among our people. Our first steps towards realizing this was through volunteering at Tomorrow's Youth Organization (TYO). TYO helped us in building a distinctive social personality as young people who seek to serve our aspirations for attaining a bright future. From the very first meetings we attended at TYO, we witnessed the programs running efficiently and effectively, in addition to the staff and volunteers working diligently. The people TYO attracts are caring and do their utmost in keeping children smiling. The trainers and supervisors we had experience with at TYO also did their best in mentoring us and having a strong presence in helping us with whatever we needed.

At TYO we learned how to show children proper care and how to deal with them in thoughtful ways. Furthermore, TYO gave us the chance to know ourselves better and how to improve our selves  so as to provide children with the best role models. We discovered new levels of patience, increased our creativity, leadership, management, how to take initiative and be active citizens in our country.  When we were at TYO we wanted to give children all the energy we had in us because we were made aware with the lack of proper facilities for them to play in their respective neighborhoods and camps, as well as the lack of attention at home due to large family sizes. In particular, now we know very well of the suffering and deprivation our people face under the under occupation. Many have been stripped of their most basic rights to decent living, which made us renew our time at the organization for as long as possible. At TYO we felt we made a difference by engaging in play and activities that were not only fun, but promoted creativity, health and safety.

Our experience at TYO has been really important to us because it has had a positive effect in strengthening our confidence, helped us develop our communication skills, and enhance our sense of national belonging. Most importantly it served to surge our passion to help children discover their world. I hope to continue on this path, to help draw smiles on the faces of our children, the future.

-Alaa Ahmad

Alaa and Ibaa have been volunteers at TYO since Spring 2012 and are eagerly awaiting the start of the summer intern session.