What do origami frogs, fire, and the Odyssey have in common? Did you guess teaching in Iraq? Hannah and Colleen remember the adventures of each of their first years teaching in Iraq. Thanks to Julia for suggesting this topic. It had us wandering down the road of memories and how both of us had unusually [...]
Islamic Holidays in Northern Iraq This is part 3 of our episodes focusing on holidays! We tackled American holidays (we're good at those!), Newroz (you just get swept up in in!), and now we're attempting to explain the Islamic holidays. Disclaimer: We are not Muslim and while we did some research online, we certainly didn't [...]
Maybe you can't volunteer this summer in Nashville to read to refugee kids (IF YOU CAN, go HERE!), but you'd like to help. There are two ways: Head over to our Amazon Wish List! On there you'll find books, blankets, and awnings that will help us serve kids who attend our reading program this summer! [...]
Thank You for the Fruit Trees! So many farms and orchards lost all their fruit trees from war and neglect during the invasion of ISIS. Now, being able to rebuild their lives and their villages takes a lot of work and effort. Your gifts made this possible for these families to replant and rebuild! Thank [...]
Weather or Not? - Podcast Episode 7 When you think about weather in Iraq you probably imagine a hot desert and sand dunes. Is that accurate? Hannah and Colleen take you through their favorite and least favorite seasons of the year (yes, there are seasons!) as well as the political implications of the weather. [...]
This summer, each Wednesday afternoon in July, we'll be taking a team of volunteers to a Nashville apartment complex where hundreds of refugee children are wasting away their summer hours playing video games and watching TV. Our goal is to change that. We've picked out four classic children's stories and will share one each week. We [...]
This summer, we are going to help run a feeding program at a Nashville apartment complex where hundreds of refugee families live. We will be providing lunch for 100-200 children each Wednesday and need your help! Fair warning: It will be loud, chaotic, and unpredictable. If that sounds like your cup of tea, come with [...]
How Bazaar! Hannah and Colleen have guest star and fellow SGI alumnus, Katrina, on to talk about one her favorite things, the bazaar. A place of wonder and mystery, goat heads and amazing bargains, there's no one better to navigate the maze than Katrina. We only wish we could somehow transmit the smells for a [...]
Beginning with a small class of volunteers and refugee students, starting in May, we will be holding classes to train women in how to make jewelry to give them skills that allow them to make some income from home. More importantly, we want to pair up a refugee woman with a new friend who will learn alongside them, [...]
Hannah and Colleen take you on a trip to Kurdistan for the biggest and most popular Kurdish holiday: Newroz! History, clothing, food, dancing, and most importantly... FIRE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbxFI4zrGfw
