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The orphans’ supervisor automatically led
her charges to the Secondary School in
Rockefeller Hall.This is, after all, where
she usually goes. But, to her surprise,
there were no students to welcome them.
Instead, she was asked to go to Sage Hall
where she found middle school students
cheerfully awaiting them.
The children were not disappointed as the
3ème students welcomed them warmly.
Delicious looking donuts were tucked
away in the corner. Students were obvi-
ously ready to provide a full two hours
of entertainment. The children eyed the
rooms expectantly.There was some initial
shyness but students quickly instigated
some icebreaker games. Before long, the
two parties had become good friends.
“The class planned everything and raised
the funds to buy the needed material,
even the donuts,” said Middle School
Service coordinator, Samar Zein El
Abidine. “They are responsible for every
detail.”
This is the first year that the social service
program has been initiated at the middle
school level. The program was originally
established in 2002 at the secondary
school as a prerequisite to graduation. But
in an effort to get students accustomed to
social work at an earlier age, IC launched
the program in younger classes this year.
Only one project is required from each
grade per year but it is enough to get the
students familiar with the much stricter
requirements (70 hours of community
work) of the secondary school.
As students and children played, Dar al
Aytam orphanage supervisor, Maha Al-
lam, sat nearby watching silently. “This is
really nice for the children,” she said. “It’s
a good break for them.”
It was a wonderful break for Asma*, who
is usually dropped off at the orphanage
covered in bruises after her weekend visits
with her family. It was also a wonderful
time for Walid*, whose alcoholic parents
can no longer care for him, for Sana*,
Social Service Program
comes to Middle School
12
SPRING
2012