Iraq
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, she was not able to use her right arm at all and now she uses both arms simultaneously. Her mom comments each week about what new activity Mayna can now do that she was unable to do before. Her life has completely changed for the better and she has hope and confidence for her future. Mayna’s mother has asked that we continue to follow-up with her daughter weekly because of the great benefit from physical therapy and the encouraging progress she has seen in her daughter. By helping Mayna, we are also assisting her community and giving them hope that change can also happen in their own lives. Mayna is showing those around her that being diligent, and persevering can have lasting and life-changing benefits
For each client goals are set that range from physical goals to the ability of doing daily activities and learning certain skills that enhance their opportunities to be part of their family and community. The CBR team also keeps monitoring whether a client needs new or additional assistive devices. To increase physical and emotional growth, OPM encourages clients to join a peer group with a family member.
A COVID-19 Story: Food and Hygiene Kits for CBR Families
During the distribution, it was evident that many people have been out of work while some also reported being in debt primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Emotionally Better
“Together with my relative, I joined the class and I have benefited from it a lot. I feel better emotionally and everyone at home is happier with me!
Finding Purpose, Feeling Good!
“Going to class is so wonderful… I used to cry all day and night because I felt purposeless at home. Now I can wear anything and I feel so much better.”
Swaddling Education
The way an infant is swaddled can either prevent or worsen hip dysplasia in children so this intervention is vital for future well-being of these babies.
Not Alone in Times of Trouble
Losing weight might be one of the main reasons why they start to come, but why they actually stay and continue to come is the hope and the community they get.
Now I Have Friends
After one of our fitness classes, we sat down with the participants and invited them to share something they like about fitness, or something that has been difficult for them.
“Help for your body, soul, and mind”
“I need to go to the fitness classes in order to have a place where I can really open up my heart and let go.” This is the feedback we often receive from the women.
Partnerships for Good
He now has a stable home for him and his family and is walking on his “new” foot.
WhatsApp Group Leads to Improved Community
In January and February 2020, before Covid-19 came along and all of Operation Mercy’s programming in the refugee camps was shut down to prevent the spread of the virus,
Rewards from Team Effort
Eventually several relatives visited and noticed that Mustafa had greatly improved. They wanted to pass out sweets to their friends and neighbors to celebrate.
God has created me perfectly!
Rosa attributes some of the changes in her life to participating in the Shine course.
Connection Through Fitness
The ladies cherish the connections they have made through gathering to exercise—building trust partnerships with each other and actively participating in a community.
Identity and Worth
Many of the beneficiaries of our Shine classes have shared how they have grown in character and self-confidence as a result of the program.
Life Changing Experiences
Since we launched our Keystone project to engage with Syrian Kurds through fitness and frisbee, we have had more and more young people join the session.
Improved Emotional and Physical Health
“I still struggle with my emotions. However, I have been able to lose about 10kg and I am working hard to continue to lose even more weight with your help and your effort on our behalf.”
Changing Lives
Bringing hope, delight and helping build relationships and grow community amoungst the vulnerable.
Total Transformation
Havine* is 18 years old and has been living in a Yazidi internally displaced peoples camp since ISIS came to her village in the Sinjar region in 2014.
Women’s Fitness Class Brings Real Change
Previously Shireen* was isolated and lonely in her house and wouldn’t go out much. Through fitness she has found more purpose in life and has become confident and content in all she does.
Hope to Move Forward
We added to the encouragement that her loving father and supportive mother were giving her, to try to give her hope to move forward.
A New Smile
“The most beautiful thing is the big smile on his face.”