Omprakash: Blue Mission Organization
Stepping into Saida
Arriving in the country, I was heavily prepared for the various cultures that Lebanon would bring. I was looking forward to embracing that ecosystem, surprisingly the adjustment that I didn’t see coming was nostalgia. Luckily the organization has a driver to transport staff members, as they pleased. Fadi(Driver) was generous enough to pick me up from the airport at 1 am to take me to my location. The moment I stepped out of the car and walked towards my building, I instantly felt like I’ve been in this location before. Being from Benghazi, Libya there was a number of similarities. It’s funny how such variables can factor the entire experience.
Adjusting was quite normal, as the electricity flickered off and on as it feels like it. Pressurized showers are immediately a thing of the past. Overall, the living situation is great! I love my location in the town including the room itself. I live in one of the classrooms that the organization owns. Sleeping on a mattress on the floor with a safe haven of a fan that kept me from boiling every night. It didn’t take long to erase the spoiled bubble I was living at previously. It didn’t take long for me to suddenly enjoy mopping the water towards the drainage. It didn’t take long to be friends with my cockroaches roaming around the room, making sure the flat is protected.
That universal 9-5
From the very first day, I felt that I was contributing heavily to the organization. My daily routine varies which makes working for the Blue Mission Organization, that much more refreshing. I start by going through the checklist of tasks that needed to be completed for the organization such as interviews, posting jobs, finding funding for the organization, etc. As a fundraiser\grant specialist, my tasks are to write up project proposals to fund the organization’s future projects.
One of the major contributions I’ve assisted in the Early Years Education (EYE) program. Contributing to interviewing\recruiting volunteers, helping with training workshops and managing the program daily from 1:30 to 3:30 at the local library. Watching this program manifest from paper into action was definitely eye-opening. This sustainable program is something that would continue months\years after the initial start which provided a genuine uplifting feeling for me.
The amazing volunteers that made this program grow were mostly from Syria and Palestine. The amount of care, passion, and skill that they’ve illustrated among such corruption was truly unexpected for me. Economic raffles can divide individuals, an “every person for themselves” concept. Viewing people aid each other even when their own resources are limited made me feel moved and motivated by this action. In viewing this, I’ve written a project proposal to the Australian Embassy in order to fund the supplies needed.
Another task that I thoroughly enjoyed is going to the Syrian shelters around Saida. The Karama ”Dignity” project is an on-field daily mission that provides psychological and medical. We typically go these shelters in efforts to improve health outcomes, provide individuals on how to access mental health care, family planning methods and reproductive health care. Of course, I’m not certified to conduct such an amazing project. My contributions to this project by organizing the families\individuals together that seek medical attention.
Witnessing the locations of displaced civilians will always bring a comparative perspective. Gratitude, respect, and inspiration. Gratitude because you instantly feel thankful for the resources and opportunities that are given to me during my time. The respect factor is towards the displaced civilians, who had jobs, education, goals, and desires yet are trying to make his\her life work among those particular living conditions. The inspiration came from a young girl that was in the Early Years Education program. She came in smiling every single day. One day, I was contributing to the Karama Project on the field and saw her at her shelter. Same energy, same smile, different location. Smiling in the face of corruption and keep moving forward. Those are the types of experiences that will be cherished.
Left too soon
I often look back and wished I expanded this experience. I highly advise students to enhance their education outside the confines of a standard classroom through programs such as Study Abroad. In addition, the Global Scholars program gives students the support and resources that provide individuals the platform to expand their perspective from a global level, even if you haven’t traveled before. My stay in Lebanon will be an experience won’t be easily forgotten and looking forward to continuing these abroad projects.
Mohamed Bughrara, Autumn 2019
