Community Health Project

At the end of 2024, we ran a six week exercise program for Jordanian and Syrian women in Zarqa. The women who attended hadn’t had any connection with Operation Mercy in the past. We got in contact with them through another organization that tutors teenagers in our area. The women who came opted into the program, and so we had 10 very enthusiastic yet unexperienced women attending our classes. 

Over the course of the program, we saw them grow in ability, co-ordination and strength. We particularly noticed a change in one Syrian woman, who said she had started to walk more and move more in life. She visibly moved towards a healthier weight. Along with a couple of the others, she was also doing some of the exercises at home – we haven’t seen this in groups in the past. The women are understanding the benefits of exercise and doing specific exercises with family members. Our team was encouraged. 

Our exercise group also includes an interactive learning and discussion time, on appropriate topics for local women here like nutrition, listening skills and identity. Our team sensed many of these topics were new and relevant to the women. As a group, they reported a significant reduction in how lonely they felt, as well as a reduction in the amount of pain in specific areas in their body.

We are planning to recommence this group with the same women in 2025, to build on the initial trust and relationships formed last year.