During the school year, the NADI Youth Club was open twice a week, after school. Much of the activity was based on fun games and projects that got the kids to enjoy themselves and interact as a group. Sometimes the games were planned and led by Nur, the NADI coordinator or others; sometimes the kids gathered to play ping pong, pool or to shoot baskets outside the clubhouse.
An outside counselor came to work with the older NADI kids in a leadership workshop. This was a positive experience that will continue next year with a full schedule.
The older kids learn leadership from volunteering, and several of them do their compulsory volunteer work (for high school credit) with the younger NADI kids. This is a win-win arrangement, and one we hope to continue in the coming year.
An outside coordinator came to give the kids a day of fun activities in the pool, as well. The pool is a favorite place for activities and parties of all sorts, and the NADI is there in the midst of the fun.
Art is an important part of the NADI experience. Dyana, the gallery curator, invited the kids to the gallery five times over the course of the year for art sessions. The results of those sessions – kids’ art that reflects their optimism, despite the surrounding gloom — became an exhibit that was shown in Seattle.
Sports are also important. The NADI kids had soccer lessons during the year, and they will get a soccer camp in the summer months. Girls as well as boys, younger kids and older, participate in the lessons, bringing the group together and teaching them not only the sport, but sportsmanship.
The summer will be full of activity in the NADI. Their activities include fun trips (partially subsidized by the local council) to amusement parks and water parks; activities at the pool; a sculpture class in the gallery and an intuitive drawing class and a sex-education class given by experts from the local council for the older kids.
The NADI clubroom, which was refurbished in the past year, has become a focus of activities for the older kids, who often borrow the key so they can watch sports events together or celebrate birthdays.
Nur and the educational co-directors will, over the summer, create a schedule for next year’s NADI activities. Among other things, the local council and a local youth organization will be involved in the programming, bringing their expertise in leading a course for youth counselors and a leadership seminar.
