November 16 & 17, 2016

After spending time with Fr. Khalil on Wednesday, and being fortified by fresh sweet breads and tea from Sr. Jaqueline, Nancy and Sr. Andrea were taken to the informal school, where the refuge children from Iraq were having class. For an unknown reason, the Syrian children were not there that day and wouldn’t be coming again until Friday.

We were introduced to two remarkable women, Hayer Rebai from Tunisia and Sana Bekki from the UK, who have come to Marka to work for “Father’s project.” They explained to us that they were not able to provide the same kind of instruction the other children get in formal school, but were doing their best with the volunteer teachers to help them learn basic skills in math, reading and English.

Sr. Andrea applied to an organization called Knitting4Peace to become a delivery agent of a special gift to the children. People who like to knit make and then send items to the organization that collects and provides them for people to take with them on peace building missions. The gifts brought we brought are little stuffed dolls called “Peace Pals.” Sr. Andrea explained to the children that the dolls were a reminder for them that we are all connected by our Creator: the person who made their doll hoping it would bring a child joy, the people delivering it to them with love and concern, and they the receiver. She told them that we wanted them to know that there are people in other places, some really far away like the United States, who care about each one of them and want them to be safe and happy.

There were boy dolls and girl dolls, each one unique with wild colorful yarn hair, clothes and accessories and the children seemed to love them! As they were getting ready to go home, we had a chance to talk a little with several of them. We asked if any of them wanted to say something in our video, and the first grade girls were happy to. They said some typical things like, “I dream of being a princess,” and gave their dolls voices so they could talk in the microphone, too. Then one little girl went from having her doll say, “I want to eat watermelon,” to saying in her own voice, “I want all countries to have peace. I want everyone to be happy.”

When we returned the next morning, we were graciously hosted by the principal of the formal school called Latin Patriarchate School, Marka (L.P.S. Marka). The private Catholic School provides education for pre-k through 9^th grade students, both Christian and Muslim. Students receive religious instruction in their particular faith tradition and all are made welcome. Fr. Khalil believes that if children learn to appreciate and respect one another at a young age, they will be prepared to live in peace as adults.

The principal, and assistant principal showed us the same hospitality as we have enjoyed since arriving in Jordan. Savory and sweet breads with tea are produced as conversation begins, and we’ve learned there is no point in saying, “No, thank you,” you will be served anyway! The administrators listened attentively while Nancy explained what the HOPE program is all about while two of their teachers were in Amman participating in the in-service training being provided. They were anxious to show off their school and students, which were very impressive. The children lined up and went from recess back to their classes in a perfectly ordered way, which we know from experience, is not an easy thing to get children to do! The English teacher at the school was kind enough to spend her break taking us from one class to another, where we were able to introduce ourselves and meet the teachers and students. We received warm hugs from the teachers we had met the night before at the evening school for refugees.

I asked if it would be possible to interview a couple children, preferable one refugee and one Jordanian from the same class. The teacher pulled a bright-eyed and enthusiastic young Iraqi girl and a willing but shy Jordanian boy from the sixth grade class. I asked them to tell us what they want the world to be like when they become its leaders in a few years from now. They both answered that they wanted peace, that there are too many wars and people being killed, and that we need to love each other.

The young lady’s name is Nancy, and she was absolutely thrilled to meet another Nancy, our Nancy Hemminger. The Nancies took an instant liking to each other, and Nancy, Jr. (as she nicknamed herself) became our guide and companion for the rest of the day. She speaks incredibly good English, and as the day went by, she opened up and shared some of her story with us, and I was fortunate enough to catch some of it on video, which you can access through the link below. Nancy, Jr. fled from Bagdad, Iraq with her family four years ago. She speaks longingly about the home, school and friends she left behind and describes how life is and has been as a refugee. Though she expresses a gratitude for her safety and a deep faith that God has a plan for her, she also shares that she has experienced things that no child her age should have. Nancy is a treasure, with a wisdom and love for all people that is rarely found in people two and even three times her age.

We promised to keep in touch with her, and had a tearful good-bye with this amazing young child of God who touched our hearts in a way we will never forget.

Submitted by: Sr. Andrea Koverman, SC