Jordan
Saiid was beaming, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear. Not only was his house finished to the point that he and his family could start living in it, but it looked so pretty with the traditional looking earthy tones of the natural lime plaster applied to the exterior walls. Just a few short months earlier Saiid had been very sceptical when we told him the type of finish we hoped he would choose to use to cover the Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs), ensuring a protective layer from the rains while still allowing the walls to ‘breathe’ and thus facilitate natural temperature control in the house. Not fully convinced, he decided to go ahead with our suggestion, knowing that he could always remove the plaster and apply a ‘modern’ cement finish if he really didn’t like it.
Now, however, not only was Saiid thrilled with the look of his house because of natural lime plaster, but the engineer in charge of the rebuilding for the area then insisted that all the other houses had to follow suit and use the same finish to their exterior walls! In fact, villages in another area we are working in quite some distance from Saiid’s village have now also been told they need to use the same type of finish on their houses.
Of course, the look of a house isn’t as important as having one that provides protection from the elements and gives a family a safe space they can live in together. On that front also Saiid is happy, having accepted our offer of building with CEBs, which we spent some months producing together right next to where his house is now built. Saiid is thrilled at how much warmer his house has been during the winter months because of the amazing insulation properties the CEBs have compared to the modern cement blocks many people now build with. His wife, young daughter and mother are able to go about their lives much more comfortably now that they don’t have to endure the chill of winter inside their house. Whenever he talks about his new house, a very proud Saiid cannot keep the smile from his face.
The 6.8 earthquake in Morocco on September 8, 2023, completely destroyed or partially compromised many houses of inhabitants throughout the High Atlas Mountains and other regions. Operation Mercy responded initially with temporary shelters and Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support. Now we are building permanent housing like Saiid’s home.
Professional and Interpersonal Development
“The people here stood with me,” says Om Waleed*, recounting her young daughter’s need for surgery. “Even though my family is all the way in Syria,
Saiid’s Smile
Saiid was beaming, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear. Not only was his house finished to the point that he and his family could start living in it,
Trading Shame for Acceptance
So these women continue on, persevering on behalf of the children and their community, sharing a love and passion that grows warmer with time and over many more cups of hot tea.
Sing Hello
“Fahid, it is your turn to sing!” Our volunteers encourage and then, with a little bit of prompting, Fahid begins to sing for us.
Nutritional Diversity: From Farm to Table
There must be zucchini, eggplant, cauliflower, corn, cabbage, and peppers.
Walking Through Challenges Together
“Everyone has faced different challenges in their lives,” Hamza says. “If one of us cannot walk through one of these challenges, a [fellow] participant can help him overcome this challenge.
Shoulder to Shoulder
“Before,” shares Hamza, “my relationships were limited. Now, in the project, my relationships grow and grow.”
Refugee Health Response
In our Community Health Project in Jordan, we are seeing lives transformed through health screening and education. We work in partnership with local organizations, medical professionals,
Change Impacts Relationships and Community
This man speaks of the dynamic relational and inner life that develops when participants move through Keystone’s 3-to-6-month training.
Incorporating Technology with Traditional Farming Practices
A new generation of younger farmers, having access to the internet, are considering how to incorporate technology with traditional farming practices.
Heart Surgery Saves Grandfather
In our Operation Mercy Community Health clinics in Jordan, we screen patients who need diagnostic tests and specialist follow up.
Each Child is Valuable
“I’ve learnt from you that each child is created by God and valuable, and I want to do my best to love and raise her like you would” she said
From Desert Diesel Tank to Fertile Market Garden
10 years into the Syrian conflict, people remain resilient for their children’s sake, and they still hope to go home even if they can’t imagine how that will work out.
A Flower and a Dinar
Ahmed holds dear the opportunity he has to illustrate to the participants their worth in the eyes of their Creator.
Innovation and creativity are key!
Innovation and creative marketing are a key (and necessary) component of young farmers in Jordan
New Horizons
The view of the horizon from the CBR window is changing. As new life sprouts up and lurches forward around the CBR Center and throughout the villages,
Surgery For Sarah
The kidney surgery was life saving for Sarah! She is now an active and smiley 1 year old, adored by her older siblings.
Visits to Farms
Our Agricultural Cooperation for Development (AC4D) project in Jordan is working within communities to support farmers with immediately adoptable and cost-effective technologies to aid in to management of the most pressing issues in smallholder agriculture in the Middle East.