Iraq
While attending a character development training, Heba was reminded of a past conflict with her manager and close friend at work. Once, while her manager was traveling, Heba had overstepped her role. Understandably, the manager was very upset upon returning and scolded her. Heba stayed silent at the time, knowing she was in the wrong. However, during the training, she felt convicted that she needed to apologize.
On the final day of the training, in front of all the participants, Heba picked up her phone and called her manager. She apologized and asked for forgiveness, saying:
“You are like a sister and a family member to me—not just a manager. Please forgive me for what I did wrong, and don’t stay disappointed in me.”
Her manager accepted the apology. Coincidentally, she had attended the exact same training the week before and had experienced the power of forgiveness firsthand. In fact, she had been the one to recommend that Heba participate in the training.
In an honor-and-shame culture, admitting one’s mistakes and offering a public apology is extremely difficult—and very rarely done. Forgiveness is also uncommon; people often avoid the issue or stop speaking altogether. Heba’s courageous public apology brought tears, cheers, and applause from the other participants in her group.
Character Affects Relationships
“Where did you learn gratitude? It seems that your teacher is teaching you some moral matters.”
New Found Confidence
During the last couple of weeks, Ahmed’s gait and posture have significantly improved.
Partnerships for Good
He now has a stable home for him and his family and is walking on his “new” foot.
Rescued From Revenge
After forgiving, Enam no longer desires to take revenge and now even prays for her former husband.
How a Mother’s Life Was Changed
On his own, he began to stand up and to hold himself on the wall.
Don’t Give Up, There Is Still Hope
After a year of working with her, she is now able to feed herself, shower independently and help with cleaning around the house! When we first started working with her,
Exploring New Ways of Moving
Yousif, a 4-year-old diagnosed with spina bifida, lay curled up in the corner of the living room floor. The doctors had told his family to give up hope—he was disabled and would remain that way for the rest of his life.
Character Affects Relationships
While attending a character development training, Heba was reminded of a past conflict with her manager and close friend at work. Once, while her manager was traveling,
Hope Stored in His Heart
Most of all we sense that Haitham now has hope stored in his heart that he did not have before.
Wheelchair Gives New Hope in Life
The wheelchair has not only contributed to Amir’s improvement physically, but emotionally and psychologically as well.
Truth Boost
In spring 2023 we partnered with another NGO. Their local staff were running a centre in the old city for children with learning disabilities.
They wanted to integrate children with physical disabilities and asked our physical therapist (PT) and our occupational therapist (OT) to work specifically with these children.
Trust is Built Through Peer Groups
This group of four men became eager to meet each other and friendship was formed.
Healing and Growth
During a wedding in a small local village a large fire broke out!