Feeling the love
The wonderful news on Friday has really helped kick off the week to a great start. The energy is high and our team is a happy one.
I came to work on Monday morning to find a lovely congratulatory card on my desk. Nothing like some appreciation from the boss to help you beat the Monday blues.
I have to say I am loving my job this week. Securing funding for the diabetic retinopathy project is my greatest professional and personal achievement to date. I am so happy that my efforts in a small way will make an impact on the lives of Palestinians. I have for so long, since university I think, back when I was studying politics of the Middle East, cared so much for the Palestinian people. After volunteering there for a year back in 2008, my love and empathy for them grew tenfold. What always amazes me about the Palestinian people and I think I might have said this in an earlier blog, is their dignity and strength in the face of such adverse conditions. Their good humour and positivity is so inspiring.
The diabetic retinopathy project will reach about 40,000 people. A big percentage of these patients are refugees living in UNRWA camps. Screening will take place in Hebron, Bethlehem, and all the surrounding camps, and for the time being the project is limited to the southern districts of the West Bank. We are seeking more funding and hopefully with some luck this project will soon be rolled out nation-wide.
Diabetes has a devastating effect on the people we serve. We have always felt morally and ethically obligated to prevent and treat this blinding (but very preventable) disease but have been constrained by finances. Not anymore!
This project aims to the change the course of individuals, families and communities lives and I feel so blessed to have been part of this process.
I’m really feeling the love. The week keeps getting better and better for me. I spent last night at the Emirates stadium watching my beloved Arsenal beat Bolton Wanderers to reach the Carling Cup quarter finals. Happy days.
Anyway on more relevant news, we have a new intern! Natalia Constantine, a brilliant LSE graduate has joined our team as the latest Fundraising and Communications Intern. She has a very interesting background and besides being a Manchester United fan, she is perfect! Natalia will be using this blog to tell you a little bit more about herself so watch this space.
In Peace,
Feryal
