Bismillah
Well, it has been a long time since I posted - apologies if anyone was hoping for something new. I have been busy with other projects and, more recently, a new baby, alhamdulillah.
Alhamdulillah, the Muslimah Enrichment programme continued after the summer holidays, expanded with new members and a new focus.
Our group has grown bigger and we are doing a lot of the same activities as in the summer but we have added a more focused Language and Literature segment. We studied 'From Somalia, with love' as a literature text and the girls produced some excellent writing in response to the book. I intend to post some on this site as soon as I get it from them!
In October, some wonderful, dynamic sisters from the local community took a group of 20 girls out to a villa in the country on an Enrichment weekend retreat. That was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to experience a camp-like atmosphere (remember youth camp?) in a halal environment. For many, it was their first time away from home and they had a brilliant time masha Allah. Activities included a Ramadhan recap, drama, henna and art workshops, swimming, an Iron Woman competition and a formal sit-down three-course dinner, complete with candles on the tables!
It was an eye-opener for many and it was decided that we should return the following year (2009) but that, this time, the girls should raise the funds themselves.
This led to another exciting project: Friday restaurant nights. The girls who attend the regular sessions decided they wanted to plan an international food festival and, to that end, were looking through my copies of Good Food magazine. However, the dishes they were inspired by were better suited to dinner parties than large gatherings so we decided to hold a true restaurant-style dinner and charge patrons.
So, about twice a month, the girls plan a three course meal, plan the ingredients needed, issue invitations and then run their own restaurant - for a night! They decorate the space, run the kitchen, cook, clean, wait on tables and get tips at the end of it.
So far, we have hosted three restaurant events, including an Italian night (La Dolce Vita)and a healthy eating buffet lunch targetting a local weight watchers group. The girls have raised quite a bit of money towards their next retreat and are learning valuable life skills and confidence at the same time.
It is also a welcome addition to our local social scene and sisters enjoy the novelty of coming out, child-free, to an elegant, amiable atmosphere to eat good food and support the efforts of their younger sisters.
So, we reconvene in March after a break for exams - who knows what the new term will bring?
Will try my best to post some of the girls' written work on this blog for visitors to read insha Allah.
Wasalaam until next time
Na'ima
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The Summer Programme retrospective - Part 1
Bismillah
The last 6 weeks of summer, with the girls coming to my house every Thursday and us embarking on a trip every Tuesday, are imprinted on my mind.
Our first session was exploratory: we were finding out about each other, as well as finding out about what lay in store for us over the next six weeks. I soon discovered that each girl had her own personality, her own quirks, her own interests and dislikes. It was a pleasure seeing some of their boundaries being tested, their minds being stretched - as well as their limbs!
In terms of group expectations, the girls hoped to achieve the following:
- better themselves as Muslims
- learn to write better
- gain confidence in fron to of adults
- have new experiences, do new things
- see new places
- increase in body confidence
- have fun!
The physical warm-up, something I learnt from my father in Chipawo, performance school, proved to be popular - and an eye-opener! Who would have thought that teenagers couldn't touch their toes! My weekly warm-up session with them always made me feel super-fit - and super good about myself! But by the end of the programme, they were ready for more demanding stretches and movements. They also had the opportunity to lead the warm-ups themselves. However, they will need to grow in confidence (and voice projection) before they are able to lead a session at the gym.
The warm-ups included:
- a head to toe movement and stretch session
- concentration exercises
- trust exercises
- a lot of creaking and groaning
After the physical warm-up, it was discussion time, my chance to give them some insight and inspiration.
The topics of first talk was as follows:
- Role models and the importance of envisioning your future. This was a most interesting discussion as it emerged that the girls couldn't name any women or men they aspired to emulate: they had no role models. They knew little about Islamic historical figures, certainly not enough to inspire them to follow in their footsteps. They knew even less about non-Muslim historical figures, people whose lives and work have shapes our contemporary world.
So I had to ask: how can you see yourself as an agent of change if you know of no other such agents? How can you comprehend your place in the world if you have no knowledge of history?
So, when we tell younger children about the great lives of the sahaba and sahabiyat, is that message not getting through? Or is it losing its potency as those same children grow into adolescents?
We also had a book club session in which they got to choose from a wide variety of books to read. I was very pleased with their choices which included The autobiography of Malcolm X, Animal Farm, Flambards, among others.
Alhamdulillah, most of the girls were already avid readers and they appreciated the opportunity to read some new books, having read every single book in their homes!
We then looked at our major summer project: an online magazine for Muslim teenage girls. We talked about the magazine, what they would like it be about, who their readership will be, the topics they wish to cover, and how to go about getting started. We looked at the structure of different magazines: regular articles, features, columns, adverts, design, letters etc. We divided the magazine into the following categories, based loosely on the sections we have in SISTERS Magazine:
- Being a Muslim - Islamic articles and issues
- Being a teen - youth articles and issues
- Being a girl - girly stuff like fashion, make-up, Halal Fun (we liked that one!)
- Just for fun - quizzes, riddles, games, competitions, reviews etc
The girls were very excited at the prospect of putting together their own magazine. Their mothers all read SISTERS but they felt there was a lot in the magazine that they couldn't relate to as young teenagers.
I explained to them that this magazine was like many things in life: it is the planting of a seed. And who knows how the seed will grow and what fruits it will bear? I told them to think of its potential and make the right intention in working on it. If other teenager girls are reminded, encouraged or inspired by their magazine, imagine the reward and the benefit!
May ALlah accept it from all of us, ameen.
We ended the session with a series of yoga postures and a rhythmic aerobic routine that tested their strength and endurance to the limit. By the end, they were tired but happy, alhamdulillah.
And that was our first session.
The last 6 weeks of summer, with the girls coming to my house every Thursday and us embarking on a trip every Tuesday, are imprinted on my mind.
Our first session was exploratory: we were finding out about each other, as well as finding out about what lay in store for us over the next six weeks. I soon discovered that each girl had her own personality, her own quirks, her own interests and dislikes. It was a pleasure seeing some of their boundaries being tested, their minds being stretched - as well as their limbs!
In terms of group expectations, the girls hoped to achieve the following:
- better themselves as Muslims
- learn to write better
- gain confidence in fron to of adults
- have new experiences, do new things
- see new places
- increase in body confidence
- have fun!
The physical warm-up, something I learnt from my father in Chipawo, performance school, proved to be popular - and an eye-opener! Who would have thought that teenagers couldn't touch their toes! My weekly warm-up session with them always made me feel super-fit - and super good about myself! But by the end of the programme, they were ready for more demanding stretches and movements. They also had the opportunity to lead the warm-ups themselves. However, they will need to grow in confidence (and voice projection) before they are able to lead a session at the gym.
The warm-ups included:
- a head to toe movement and stretch session
- concentration exercises
- trust exercises
- a lot of creaking and groaning
After the physical warm-up, it was discussion time, my chance to give them some insight and inspiration.
The topics of first talk was as follows:
- Role models and the importance of envisioning your future. This was a most interesting discussion as it emerged that the girls couldn't name any women or men they aspired to emulate: they had no role models. They knew little about Islamic historical figures, certainly not enough to inspire them to follow in their footsteps. They knew even less about non-Muslim historical figures, people whose lives and work have shapes our contemporary world.
So I had to ask: how can you see yourself as an agent of change if you know of no other such agents? How can you comprehend your place in the world if you have no knowledge of history?
So, when we tell younger children about the great lives of the sahaba and sahabiyat, is that message not getting through? Or is it losing its potency as those same children grow into adolescents?
We also had a book club session in which they got to choose from a wide variety of books to read. I was very pleased with their choices which included The autobiography of Malcolm X, Animal Farm, Flambards, among others.
Alhamdulillah, most of the girls were already avid readers and they appreciated the opportunity to read some new books, having read every single book in their homes!
We then looked at our major summer project: an online magazine for Muslim teenage girls. We talked about the magazine, what they would like it be about, who their readership will be, the topics they wish to cover, and how to go about getting started. We looked at the structure of different magazines: regular articles, features, columns, adverts, design, letters etc. We divided the magazine into the following categories, based loosely on the sections we have in SISTERS Magazine:
- Being a Muslim - Islamic articles and issues
- Being a teen - youth articles and issues
- Being a girl - girly stuff like fashion, make-up, Halal Fun (we liked that one!)
- Just for fun - quizzes, riddles, games, competitions, reviews etc
The girls were very excited at the prospect of putting together their own magazine. Their mothers all read SISTERS but they felt there was a lot in the magazine that they couldn't relate to as young teenagers.
I explained to them that this magazine was like many things in life: it is the planting of a seed. And who knows how the seed will grow and what fruits it will bear? I told them to think of its potential and make the right intention in working on it. If other teenager girls are reminded, encouraged or inspired by their magazine, imagine the reward and the benefit!
May ALlah accept it from all of us, ameen.
We ended the session with a series of yoga postures and a rhythmic aerobic routine that tested their strength and endurance to the limit. By the end, they were tired but happy, alhamdulillah.
And that was our first session.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Programme begins...
Bismillah
We had our first session last week.
After many setbacks, postponements, cancellations and dropouts, we finally found ourselves, the five of us (six including my little son) at my house on a crisp Tuesday morning.
I had stayed up the night before, going through the proposed programme, checking that i had all I needed, making sure I knew what the game plan was. I have realised over the years that, without planning, even the best-intentioned plans fail miserably: they run out of steam and the participants become frustrated, then bored, then drop out completely.
I didn't want that to happen.
i sent a text to the participants and their mothers, telling them the requirements for the day:
- pick up and drop-off arrangements: car was to pick them all up at 9:30 and bring them home after 4pm.
- dress code: casual, cool, comfortable, preferably long t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms (as all the girls wore abaayahs, I knew this wouldn't be an issue and I needed them to be as physically comfortable and free as possible - something not so easily achieved in a skirt and wrap blouse!)
- A4 notebooks for their project work
- a packed lunch
In the morning, I readied myself by going over my intention.
Why was I doing this? Why was I taking a day off work, family and a myriad other commitments to spend time with four teenage girls?
I guess the first thing I hoped and still hope for is the blessing of Allah, for Him to accept this action as an act of ibaadah, purely for His sake: no money, no fame, no promotion, just time given freely for a good cause. How often do opportunities like that come along?
I want to inspire these girls as young Muslimahs: to see their potential as the future of Islam, to open their eyes to the world around them, to opportunities, experiences and ideas they may not have had before.
That, for me, is the enrichment. I believe we are made richer my our experience, bad or good, by our reaching out to others, by our engaging with our families, friends and communities.
So many young people today are detatched, disenfranchised: they see no part for them in the world, no role for them to play, no say in how things are, so they opt out.
Well, I don't believe that opting out is the answer. I believe that, especially in Muslim communities, where parents are honoured and respected, where Islamic values are promoted and held to, our youth should be given a space to find themselves, to grow into their roles as agents of positive change in their communities.
For, if our youth are not enthused by Islam and its possibilites, if they do not see themselves playing a part in its future, we will lose one of the most precious commodities we have: their hearts and minds.
Indeed, the aim of this programme is to open their hearts and minds to possibilities and, in so doing, enrich their lives and ours.
N.
We had our first session last week.
After many setbacks, postponements, cancellations and dropouts, we finally found ourselves, the five of us (six including my little son) at my house on a crisp Tuesday morning.
I had stayed up the night before, going through the proposed programme, checking that i had all I needed, making sure I knew what the game plan was. I have realised over the years that, without planning, even the best-intentioned plans fail miserably: they run out of steam and the participants become frustrated, then bored, then drop out completely.
I didn't want that to happen.
i sent a text to the participants and their mothers, telling them the requirements for the day:
- pick up and drop-off arrangements: car was to pick them all up at 9:30 and bring them home after 4pm.
- dress code: casual, cool, comfortable, preferably long t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms (as all the girls wore abaayahs, I knew this wouldn't be an issue and I needed them to be as physically comfortable and free as possible - something not so easily achieved in a skirt and wrap blouse!)
- A4 notebooks for their project work
- a packed lunch
In the morning, I readied myself by going over my intention.
Why was I doing this? Why was I taking a day off work, family and a myriad other commitments to spend time with four teenage girls?
I guess the first thing I hoped and still hope for is the blessing of Allah, for Him to accept this action as an act of ibaadah, purely for His sake: no money, no fame, no promotion, just time given freely for a good cause. How often do opportunities like that come along?
I want to inspire these girls as young Muslimahs: to see their potential as the future of Islam, to open their eyes to the world around them, to opportunities, experiences and ideas they may not have had before.
That, for me, is the enrichment. I believe we are made richer my our experience, bad or good, by our reaching out to others, by our engaging with our families, friends and communities.
So many young people today are detatched, disenfranchised: they see no part for them in the world, no role for them to play, no say in how things are, so they opt out.
Well, I don't believe that opting out is the answer. I believe that, especially in Muslim communities, where parents are honoured and respected, where Islamic values are promoted and held to, our youth should be given a space to find themselves, to grow into their roles as agents of positive change in their communities.
For, if our youth are not enthused by Islam and its possibilites, if they do not see themselves playing a part in its future, we will lose one of the most precious commodities we have: their hearts and minds.
Indeed, the aim of this programme is to open their hearts and minds to possibilities and, in so doing, enrich their lives and ours.
N.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The proposed programme
Inspire me!
A programme of spiritual, intellectual and cultural enrichment
PROPOSAL
An 8-week summer enrichment programme designed for Muslim girls aged 11 – 15.
Mission statement: The enrichment programme is designed to expose the attendees to a variety of opportunities and experiences within a halal, Islamic environment. It aims to inspire them to embrace learning, to cultivate an inquisitive and active mind, to build their confidence in their abilities, to open their eyes to the opportunities around them and to ultimately recognise their worth as young Muslim women.
Schedule: 2 days a week (one day on-site activities and the other a trip day)
Tuesday 10am to 4pm
Thursday 10am to up to 6pm
A bus will pick girls up and drop them off after on-site days and trips.
Attendees should be sent with lunch and a snack and pocket money if we are going on a trip.
Attendees will need an A4 notebook and writing materials. Additional materials will be provided unless otherwise stated.
The course comprises of the following key areas:
- Islamic tarbiyah
- Intellectual stimulation
- Creative development
- Physical activity
- Community participation
Islamic tarbiyah
Emphasis on Islamic manners
Weekly reading from Qur’an or Islamic book
Presentations on Islamic topics
Intellectual stimulation
Book club
Visits to libraries, art galleries, museums
Historical and educational trips
Keeping a journal
Public speaking training
Writing exercises (poetry, autobiography, reportage, journals, essays)
Garden projects
Design projects
Research projects
Creative development
Learning traditional crafts
Workshops on photography, design, dressmaking, cuisine, décor
Drama exercises for trust and confidence
Poetry and drama performances
Physical activity
Weekly warm-up exercise
Horse-riding
Quad biking
Wii sports and fitness
Nature trails
Badminton
Community participation
Visit to orphanage
Fund-raising event – planning and execution
Community awareness
Rules for participation
General
1. Islamic etiquette is to observed at all times (dress, manners, conversation etc.)
2. All participants must be willing to participate fully in the programme and have their parents’ full support.
3. Attendance to the in-house activities is mandatory while trips are optional.
4. Attendees will need Internet access to complete projects, do research etc.
5. All homework and home projects should be done on time
For the girls
6. Respect for one another – you are sisters!
7. No cliques.
8. No bad language.
9. No inappropriate conversation.
10. Do what you say you will do.
11. Be on time
12. Phone if you are going to be late or cannot come.
13. Be open to new experiences
14. Speak up for yourself
15. Share your ideas and thoughts
16. Do read up and find out more about the things that interest you
Insha Allah!
A programme of spiritual, intellectual and cultural enrichment
PROPOSAL
An 8-week summer enrichment programme designed for Muslim girls aged 11 – 15.
Mission statement: The enrichment programme is designed to expose the attendees to a variety of opportunities and experiences within a halal, Islamic environment. It aims to inspire them to embrace learning, to cultivate an inquisitive and active mind, to build their confidence in their abilities, to open their eyes to the opportunities around them and to ultimately recognise their worth as young Muslim women.
Schedule: 2 days a week (one day on-site activities and the other a trip day)
Tuesday 10am to 4pm
Thursday 10am to up to 6pm
A bus will pick girls up and drop them off after on-site days and trips.
Attendees should be sent with lunch and a snack and pocket money if we are going on a trip.
Attendees will need an A4 notebook and writing materials. Additional materials will be provided unless otherwise stated.
The course comprises of the following key areas:
- Islamic tarbiyah
- Intellectual stimulation
- Creative development
- Physical activity
- Community participation
Islamic tarbiyah
Emphasis on Islamic manners
Weekly reading from Qur’an or Islamic book
Presentations on Islamic topics
Intellectual stimulation
Book club
Visits to libraries, art galleries, museums
Historical and educational trips
Keeping a journal
Public speaking training
Writing exercises (poetry, autobiography, reportage, journals, essays)
Garden projects
Design projects
Research projects
Creative development
Learning traditional crafts
Workshops on photography, design, dressmaking, cuisine, décor
Drama exercises for trust and confidence
Poetry and drama performances
Physical activity
Weekly warm-up exercise
Horse-riding
Quad biking
Wii sports and fitness
Nature trails
Badminton
Community participation
Visit to orphanage
Fund-raising event – planning and execution
Community awareness
Rules for participation
General
1. Islamic etiquette is to observed at all times (dress, manners, conversation etc.)
2. All participants must be willing to participate fully in the programme and have their parents’ full support.
3. Attendance to the in-house activities is mandatory while trips are optional.
4. Attendees will need Internet access to complete projects, do research etc.
5. All homework and home projects should be done on time
For the girls
6. Respect for one another – you are sisters!
7. No cliques.
8. No bad language.
9. No inappropriate conversation.
10. Do what you say you will do.
11. Be on time
12. Phone if you are going to be late or cannot come.
13. Be open to new experiences
14. Speak up for yourself
15. Share your ideas and thoughts
16. Do read up and find out more about the things that interest you
Insha Allah!
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