International Day of People With Disability

Hi Family Flavours family,

Did you know that December 3, 2014, was the International Day of People With Disability (IDPwD)?

This month, I had the chance to sit down with members of the Jasmine Society for Children With Down Syndrome’s Forum for Young Adults. The Forum, a relatively new programme started by the Society, aims to develop the abilities of young adults with Down Syndrome through educational, awareness, athletic, and entertainment activities.

The Forum meets Sunday through Thursday from nine to one o’clock, and each day features different activities geared towards promoting the development of different skills.  Led by Linda Imad Al-Din Jaber, a special education teacher with almost two decades of experience in the field and across the Middle East, the Forum’s daily attendance fluctuates somewhat, but Yara (28) and Samar (17), along with Osama (21) and a few others, are all regulars.

During our conversation, we chat about music, which holds a special significance for many of my companions. With characteristic eloquence and joy, Samar describes music as part of her dreams and part of her identity. But, she doesn’t think she’d want to be a singer. “I’d be a singer!” Osama exclaims, which surprises Jaber at first, perhaps given Osama’s quiet nature. But then on second thought, she agrees he has a very nice voice. Osama smiles quietly, perhaps imagining himself onstage someday.

Inclusive education and accessible employment are two of the major issues that all people with disabilities face in Jordan, and there are numerous social and infrastructural barriers to achieving this goal. A comprehensive legislative framework exists in Jordan to try and secure these rights, but the gap between the law and its successful implementation remains substantial. 

While The Jasmine Society is focused on early intervention and securing both the readiness of children with Down Syndrome to enter mainstream schooling as well as their right to do so, the Forum emerged out of the need to address the educational, emotional and psychological needs of their older members. It is a place, one of too few, where people with Down Syndrome are appreciated as individuals with personalities, talents and potential.

To read this article in full, please go to http://familyflavours.com/familyflavours/public/DefaultDetails.aspx?id=452&type=article

For more information on the Society, check out their facebook page @ www.facebook.com/yasmeen.jo 

For more information on the rights of people with disabilities in Jordan, check out the Higher Council For Affairs Of Persons With Disabilities (HCD) @ http://hcd.gov.jo

To learn more about the IDPwD visit @www.un.org/disabilities 

 

7arakeh - get moving in the New Year!

Hi Family Flavours family!

Are you hoping to introduce more activity into your life after the New Year? Or are you just plain bored of hopping on the elliptical for 30 minutes with limited results? Check out 7arakeh - an innovative Arabic-language fitness program. 

7arakeh (which means "movement" in Arabic; the 7 represents the Arabic letter ح) draws from many of the popular fitness approaches today and utilizes four major routines within the approximately one hour-long programme. 

Qafzeh (Arabic for jump) starts the class off to get hearts pumping and consists of aerobic moves, such as lots of jumping and familiar dance-like moves. There are also three different quwwa (strength) sections that focus on lower body, upper body and abs interspersed with rakleh (kicking), which incorporates moves from mixed martial arts. The dabkeh portion, of course, refers to the traditional Arab dance form.

Founder Rima Amer was inspired to develop the 7arakeh program after she was told that her English was not strong enough for master's level certification in popular English-language alternatives. Somewhat stunned at first, she bounced back and decided, “Okay. If my English is weak, khalas. I’ll do my own Arabic programme with my Arabic language!” 

What does the average 7arakeh class entail? Imagine exercisers of all shapes, sizes and ages rocking out at their appropriate fitness level. There is lots of encouragement and shared whooping, shouting, and laughter. 

For more information, check out our full article @:

http://familyflavours.com/familyflavours/public/DefaultDetails.aspx?id=453&type=article 

Additionally, check out the program itself at:
www.gxgym.com

 

HIV/AIDS in the Middle East

Hey there Family Flavours family.

Were you aware that December 1st was World Aids Day? According to the World Health Organization, in 2013 there were approximately 35 million people around the world living with HIV. Think this doesn't affect the Middle East?

Well, in reality, our region possesses two contradictory sets of statistics. On the one hand, it has one of the smallest populations of people living with HIV. At the same time, however, it has one of the fastest growing rates of infections.

Why is the infection rate increasing here, when much of the world is witnessing a decrease? There are three major causes:

1) Lack of information - It is very difficult to do research on this topic or collect sound quantitative data (see reason #3), which is especially problematic for tracking transmission routes, an essential aspect of effective intervention

2) Lack of available treatment - UNICEF HIV/AIDS Regional Advisor Samir Anouti explains that, “although significant progress has been made, overall treatment coverage in the MENA remains unacceptably low at 11 per cent.”

3) Stigma, discrimination and fear - The taboo nature of the subject prevents effective community outreach, sensitisation, information campaigns and screening drives

Want to learn more? Please check out our Family Flavours article @ 

http://www.familyflavours.com/familyflavours/public/DefaultDetails.aspx?id=458&type=article 

Other informative links:

http://www.who.int/campaigns/aids-day/2014/en/

http://www.unaids.org/

http://www.unicef.org/aids/

Hey Family Flavours readers! Be sure to check back in with this blog on Saturday to learn more about the current state of HIV/AIDS in the Middle East.

Me Time

 

 One of our team members shares with us a recent experience of hers which we thought of  sharing with you.

“I’m scared of needles, yet have been feeling, for some time, that I needed to give by tired face a boost. I had heard about Mesotherapy treatment, so off I went to Solace Skin Care Center to try it out as it was time to give myself some "Me Time."

The Mesotherapy Refresh treatment was a painless way to get my skin rejuvenated. I saw and felt the effects 45 minutes later and after my first session; my skin felt firm, soft and looked radiant-no kidding!

Lying on a comfortable and clean spa bed, the female therapist massaged in a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and materials to hydrate and stimulate my skin. It was so relaxing that I actually dozed off!

When googling this treatment, I found that this French technology has been tried and tested for over half a century and that it also treats skin pigmentation-something I suffered from after my first pregnancy.

I also read that when used on the body, Mesotherapy is claimed to improve the appearance of stretch marks, works on fat reduction and hair re-growth-something to plan for after finishing my sessions.

I further research Meso Hair: This is a blend of vitamin B and copper peptide (which works against hair loss) that act in synergy to stimulate hair growth and improve hair quality. After having delivered so many children and leading a stressful life style, my hair is in dire need of this treatment!

 Refreshed and radiant and on my way out, I asked the therapist about different Mesotherapy treatments offered at Solace Skin Care Center. Here is the list she shared:

Face treatments: 

·      Meso Shine: This treatment uses a mixture of ingredients of Vitamin C, antioxidants and Vitamin B5  which brighten the skin and remove pigmentation for radiant skin. 

·      Meso Tight : A mixture of firming and antioxidant ingredients that targets the slackening of the skin and neck to restore skin firmness and plumpness and protect it from future damage.

There is also a complete line for body treatments:

·      Meso Slim: This is a fat dissolving formula designed to address body re-contouring by encouraging your body cells to release fat allowing it to be burned as fuel. It also improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage of targeted areas. Meso Slim provides you with an alternative to liposuction targeting your thighs, abdomen, arms, hips and double chin--interesting!

·      Meso Firm: This mixture of firming ingredients tightens the skin and retracts collagen fibers. It has a positive effect on firming the skin and improving the appearance of stretch marks-I guess a must-have for every mama!

Looking forward to my next visit to Solace Skin Center and Meso Hair!

Flavour Of The Day With Noora

Time for Some Parenting Research

In times like these when so much chaos is shaping the countries that surround us, how do we talk to our  kids about what is going on? Do we explain political issues that they may be too young to understand? Do we teach them that having a voice is crucial? Do we take them along when participating is political and social events that support our opinions.

When I was growing up, my parents did none of the above; I had no clue of the breaking news that was going on. I knew only of historical events from history classes at school and only what the books wanted to mention.

When I went abroad to complete my studies, I was embarrassed when asked about facts, events and political views. I did not know how to respond and could not argue something that sounded wrong to me. That is why, as an adult, I am conducting my own research as needed.

I want to spare my kids that confusion by constantly talking to them about world news, by thinking out side the box when it comes to other cultures and by keeping them informed of their surrounding that go beyond the borders of their own country. BUT, I don't know how :)

Time for some parenting research!

Flavour Of The Day Noora

Tips for Choosing the Right

School

Looking for the right school for your children is one of the most difficult decisions you will come across as a parent. This decision is filled with questions, uncertainties, and details you may not be aware of at this point in your parenting journey.

For that reason, I spoke with the experts at Amman Academy to understand the best way to go about your school hunting experience:

1. List the type of degree or programmes that are offered at each school. Even though MYP, IB, 

A- Levels and other degrees seem far away for first-time parents, choosing the right foundation

from the beginning is crucial. Test results are a great indication of a school's competence in the degrees

they offer, these results demonstrate the school’s ability to engage the student even at an early stage.

2. Look into a school's facilities, safety measures, social events and extra-curricular activities. While

academics are important, so are sports and other activities which help develop children's emotional,

physical and mental well-being.

3. And finally, the most important of all, is conducting proper research through schools' websites and

site visits. Talk to the staff, watch them in action, and interact with the people your child will be

interacting with for years to come. As school experiences differ from one child and parent to another,

the best research is your own research. 

By taking informed, well-researched steps, finding the right school for your child can be an exciting experience for the entire family. Once you have decided, it might also help to take your child to visit her new school before the start of the new school year. If she can see the school at her own pace, the shift from nursery to the "big kids' school" might be easier-check out what subscribers will receive in August, 2014 with their issue of Family Flavours or Nakahat 'Ailiyeh.