Given the current circumstances Lebanon and the world are going through, all of The Youth of the Order of Malta activities, such as camps and gatherings, were put on hold. However, the volunteers couldn’t stop thinking about all the children, elders and families they constantly brought happiness to. This is why the Youth organized a crafting activity through which volunteers prepared and designed boxes that were later on filled with candies and delivered to the kids of the SOS Village of Kfarhay in Batroun.
Despite the fact that it was an activity to do from a distance and that involved no physical contact with the kids, I really enjoyed making the boxes for the three children I was assigned to. I couldn’t help but wonder what their reactions would be once they see the boxes, and the feelings of surprise and happiness it would bring to them. Also, it had been a long time since I did something that required creativity and working with my own hands. I was actually able to translate what was on my mind into personalized boxes for Charbel, Maria-Thérèse and Hanneh. I realized how much I missed working meticulously and with my heart to draw a smile on someone’s face. Cutting the cardboards, gluing some parts and adding ribbons reminded me of how we used to decorate the center as we arrived to Chabrouh before the guests. It brought back the hurry and enthusiasm I always had to lighten up the mood of the guests, brighten the atmosphere and pray for them.
Frankly, I believe it was a nice gesture to let the kids know that we are still thinking about them, but eventually it is different than our usual activities. For instance, I would have loved to see their faces, listen to their voices and laughs while opening the boxes and discovering the candies in them. I truly hope I will be able to do it soon and I continuously pray for Lebanon and the world to overcome this frustrating phase.
A total of 20 volunteers participated in that activity. I could still feel the generous spirit and the joy that is always present in a volunteering action. Even though we were not physically together, everyone was sharing tips, sharing their boxes and progress, encouraging each other, and it felt really nice, like we were all part of this whole process. However, we are learning to look at volunteering from a new perspective: working to do something for others in times like these, sharing it with our volunteer friends, and anticipating the reaction of the receivers, I think that’s what makes it a great experience.
Nour Cattouf & Maria Abou Farhat, Lebanese Volunteers
