Hello everyone,
I’ve just come back from the institute’s graduation party and I’m still completely overwhelmed by all the wonderful memories of this beautiful event. That’s why I’d like to write about this special occasion and the past few weeks in this blog post. If you’d like to read about my experiences during Ramadan, please do pop over to Margarete’s blog.
The last few weeks have been very exciting, as quite a lot has happened. My family came to visit over Easter and it was absolutely lovely to explore Jordan together and show them a bit of my new daily life. It was particularly lovely for me when the children came back on the Saturday after Easter, so my family could get to know all the lovely people who study and work here at the Institute.
However, this visit also made me realise just how close the end of this voluntary service is already. That made it all the more wonderful to spend quality time with the children over the last few weeks. On the afternoons, which have now taken on a very summery feel, we did lots of painting and crafts together and played hide-and-seek and tag well into the evening. In addition, everything was prepared for the graduation party over the last few weeks, with regular rehearsals for the dance performances and the grounds being decorated with banners. Finally, a huge marquee was erected in the school playground and given a final touch of decoration to ensure everything was perfect for the big day.
Then the big day finally arrived. Dressed up and with their hair done, staff, pupils, parents, several priests and the Bishop of the Anglican Church of the Middle East flocked to the marquee.
To the sound of festive music and applause, all this year’s graduates made their way down a red carpet into the marquee. A total of 17 pupils graduated this year: 6 from the Kindergarten, 4 from the Preschool, 3 from the Middle School and 4 from the High School. Once everyone had settled down, the national anthem was performed in sign language, and then the programme could begin. As at the Christmas party, the children had prepared performances in which they signed along to songs. Everything was included, from a song about everyday school life to a song about Jordanian wedding celebrations. The deafblind children had also prepared a song again, which was about how they learn for themselves and eventually graduate. After this very lovely, fun and colourful programme, all the graduates were presented with their certificates by the Bishop himself. Next, the new teachers were welcomed, and Margarete and I were also called to the front, where we were presented with a wooden display stand as a token of appreciation for our work. Finally, the national anthem was played once more and everyone streamed out of the tent towards the snack table. Over warbat (an Arabic pastry made of puff pastry with a cream filling) and pineapple juice, there was an opportunity to exchange congratulations and get to know the children’s parents.
Eventually, the celebration was over and some of the children went home for the day or went on a short trip with their parents. Margarete and I then had a little time to relax (and I was able to start writing my blog) before the next celebration, a confirmation, began that very evening. I don’t think the little church was ever as full as it was on that day, not even at Easter. Chairs were crammed into every corner, and with the violinist squeezed in between the electric piano and the confirmands, playing the violin proved quite a challenge. Nevertheless, the service was lovely, and afterwards we all sat together, ate Kunafe (a sweet made of cheese with angel hair and syrup) and enjoyed the mild spring evening. And so an incredibly lovely but also very busy day came to an end.
Now the final phase of the year is beginning, and the next few weeks will be filled with studying, as the exams here at the institute take place after the graduation party. And I need to slowly start planning my return to Germany, which I really don’t want to do, because it’s just so lovely here at the moment and I don’t want to think about saying goodbye just yet. Luckily, I still have the next month and a half, which I’ll enjoy to the full!
All the best and see you next time
Yours, Julia
This text was automatically translated using an AI-powered translation system.
