As an intern, my initial fears revolved around whether I could provide the education these children deserved. But as the days unfolded, those fears transformed into a deep bond with my students. It's hard to imagine not seeing their excited faces and sharing in their learning journey each day.
Read More"There is no such thing as a mistake in art.” Even now, years later, I can still remember my elementary school art teacher encouraging me to embrace mistakes. She showed me how a misplaced line or extra paint splotch could become a new design. There is always a way to transform an accident into an opportunity. As a child pre-occupied with perfection, art gave me space to develop at my own pace. I enjoyed learning without worrying about making mistakes.
Read MoreGrowing up in Southern Illinois, swimming was a central part of summer activities. Each spring was spent in anticipation of the time when days would become warm enough to jump into water and play with friends. In this region of the United States, the high number of lakes, rivers, and ponds also make swimming skills necessary for safety. My parents made it their mission to ensure I participated in swim lessons from a young age.
Read MoreOver the past two years, the term refugee has moved from humanitarian development circles into living rooms around the world as international crisis and crisis force men, women, and children to flee their homes for safety. From the flicker of the television screen and cultural, linguistic, political, and religious divides, it can be difficult to process the lives of those living as refugees.
Read MoreHappy International Children’s Day! In 1925, The World Conference for the Well-Being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland declared June 1st as International Children’s Day in an effort to raise awareness about the unique issues children face as they learn and grow in an adult world.
Read MoreMinna is 3rd grade student from the neighborhood of Khallet al Amood. She heard about TYO from her friends at school. The students were enrolled in the Core program and told Minna about the activities they do and how fun they have at TYO. After hearing about the opportunity to play with other kids her age, Minna decided to register for the Core Child Program. This is Minna’s first session at TYO.
Read MoreMasarah Kana’an was born and raised in Nablus. She studied Early Childhood Education at Al Rawda College until her graduation in 2014. Masarah has been active with TYO since February 2016 as both a student in the STEP! II EFL Program and as a volunteer with the Youth Service Learning Program. tAlways eager to help others, Masarah began volunteering with the Core Child Program because she wants to help educate and help children to grow in a positive atmosphere within the Nablus community.
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