Starting a new school year is hard work for all teachers and school staff around the globe. In order to make sure that our Little Ripples staff knew just how much they were valued, we collected words of encouragement and appreciation from the global iACT team to share with the refugee camp-based team.
Here are a few of the messages that we sent:
“Good luck as school starts this year! What you are doing is such important work. You are an inspiring and essential part of your community. Teachers are so important in children’s lives. Some of the teachers I’ve had have truly changed my life and inspired me to do things that I never thought I could or would. Thank you so much. Never stop being great!” – Sarah Nagengast
“Hello Little Ripples teachers, cooks, and coordinators! Congratulations on starting a new school year. The work you do is so important. It just might be the most important work of all. You are not only taking care of your beautiful children, but you are also creating a strong foundation for your community’s future. I am proud to work next to you. Sending you, the children, and your community all my love. “ – Gabriel Stauring
“Warm wishes for the new school year! As you reach toward your goals: may all of you, and your students, families and community, feel the support of your colleagues and friends near and far. Your hard work and commitment are very valued and are wonderful offerings of hope and inspiration for many bright futures!” – Mary Schacht
Here is iACT’s Programs Coordinator Oumda Tarbosh’s response:
“Hello dear friends! I am very proud to get your messages. They mean everything to us, iACT staff. These messages have made me cry! Dear friends, the work you do for us is not easy. It is very hard to work day and night to help the lives of innocent children. They became orphans in this world, and you work to save the lives of the forgotten, marginalized, [victims] of genocide, and oppressed. I wonder that if you were not here, what would the destiny of these hundreds of thousands of children look like? It is really hard work you do!
What I have to say, on behalf of all the iACT staff in Africa, is that we are very excited and proud to work next to you. Let us continue to work together! We have learned a lot from you and the future of our children have been achieved by your efforts. Again, I have to thank all of you and your families. I am wishing you all a long life full of goodness. God bless you and my regards to all of you. Thank you so much.
I will share [your messages] with all of our staff. I hope I can see some of you soon and thank you.”
The response from Oumda is beautiful and humbling. It is a great reminder of why we do this important work and how essential it is for humanitarian programs to be refugee-led.
Thanks again Little Ripples staff! Keep up the amazing work.
