‘I want to go home’ sadness
Jeman enters the courtyard at the centre a little embarrassed. Her neighbour girl is sick and has stayed home. For a moment she is not so sure whether she wants to stay here. The toddlers are very honest about that: “I want to be home.” I can remember that about myself very well. At that age I did not suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out). I rather stayed at home with my mother than with that ‘scary’ teacher at nursery school. Soon the 3 musketeers, in this case three girls, come and sit next to Jeman on the stairs. Sterre, the eldest, says: yes but you know that we are all your friends. Nurshin teases Atia and keeps pulling the Velcro of her shoes open. Atia tumbles backwards halfway down the stairs. She is a bit clumsy. The other toddlers also came to us last week, shocked: “Atia is…
Introduction to our new teacher
I would like to introduce you to Yusef, our new teacher at the childcare center. My name is Yusef. I am married and have two children. Now that I work here at the children’s center, I see that we really do something good for the village. It is great for the children to have such a center in their village. The biggest need for these children is to have such a safe place, where they can really be themselves. The children can get rid of their energy by playing football and other games in the indoor area. It is a place where they build friendships and learn many new things. They learn not only English but also social skills. They may not have such a place in other villages, but thanks to Moqimi we can run such a place in this village. I really like working at this place. I…
Moqimi continues
Memati MematiThis morning I left home with some crafting stuff and went to Vian and Nisreen’s house for a while. Their mother went to work outside the home and the four of them are home. I suggest decorating tins with pieces of wood. Memati finds the glue guns really interesting so he wants to make a tin too. The little guy got through the eye of the needle 2 days ago. He had filled the water cooler with water himself and accidentally sprayed it over the engine. While he was standing in a puddle of water, he got the full blast of electricity through him. After being knocked out for 6 hours, he gradually came round. After another half day he recognized his family again. Fortunately, his body started working again thanks to a blood transfusion. His kidneys took a big hit, but fortunately they are both working again. He…
Summer Program
The best days are the mornings these days. The first week I spent about twelve days in a row getting everything set up with the new summer program at the childcare center. Well, just another morning with the kids is a relief. After a round of relay with obstacles, the winning group runs across the courtyard, climbs the stairs and jumps down. Just happy they won a game. In between, the girls are now also coming for the follow-up program of last year’s Shine club. They liked it so much that they asked for a sequel. Miss Shelan was not there for a few days, she went to Sinjar with her husband to arrange her marriage certificate. You understand, that also takes quite a bit of effort. Anyway, without Shelan I will continue with the program, it is about strengths of your character, what is good about it and what…
20 Pair of hands
A group hug with 25 little ones aged 6 and 7 is quite overwhelming. I just entered the classroom and they all jumped up to throw me around my neck. After the commotion, the English lesson continues. Teacher Jenet teaches the numbers in English. Just before this I saw a number of boys from the next class waiting at the gate. One of them jumped over the wall to open the gate for me. The children give me a ‘box’, as a greeting, they learned that from Frisbee. New groups have already started in the village with young recruits. I can really see that the attention is good for the children. Children from other villages are also eager to participate in the center. I am often approached by children who also want to participate in the center. Just like Saleem, who I meet at the market. He calls my name…
Picnics 2024
In March there is usually beautiful spring weather here and a great time to have a picnic with the children. The children enjoyed it immensely. For some, this was perhaps the best day of their lives. Get away from the poor ‘tent life’.
Family Run
In March we had a real party; a Family Run for young and old. Together with our partners Panaga we organized a running competition. About 600 participants had registered. The week before, the children from the center had cleaned the verges along the route. On the day itself it rained a bit, but that didn’t spoil the fun. The video gives an impression of this day.
Look already another year
Moqimi is a year further along and in this report you can see how your support has helped us. Check it out
Bling Bling
The jewelry workshop was a welcome break from the daily grind. Different groups participated in the workshops. The Frisbee girls and the Shine girls went to work full of enthusiasm. The ladies participating in the language lessons were also unstoppable, so many beads and colors. Everyone went home afterwards with a set of earrings, bracelets and necklace. Often not much attention is given to making things beautiful, especially if the emphasis is always on surviving and living on a scarce income. But with this workshop, even the most depressed in the group can create something beautiful and come home for a while from the hassles. Watch the video here