Trains, kites and amazing Amman sites
05 December 2011
Over 30 Australian volunteers, Jordanian volunteers, AusAID and Australian Embassy representatives gathered near Rainbow Street in Amman, Jordan.
We came together to mark International Volunteer Day 2011 and to participate in Hamzet Wasel’s, an Amman-based organisation, Urban Discovery Challenge. As we were sorted into teams and given a brightly coloured team Hamzet Wasel cap, we were given our challenges of the day.
Within our teams we had a mixture of English and Arabic speakers, Jordanians and Australians and younger and older people. however our objectives were the same – to work together while we discovered the city of Amman.
As we descended the office stairs into the streets of Amman, we all dispersed quickly, providing each team with a false belief that we each knew where we were going.
From the marketplace of Amman to the old Hijaz Railway Station, each individual and each team learned more about Amman, the local culture, the language and more importantly each other. The day ended with a kite-building exercise, while looking over the ancient Roman Ampitheatre. While several team’s displayed an aptitude for kite making, my team encouraged the assistance of the local kids to take over the task.
On demonstrating a successful kite – one that could fly – we were invited to a local families' home for tea and a further opportunity to look over the beautiful city of Amman. It was great moment to reflect on the efforts of an organisation like Hamzet Wasel that is committed to bringing people of all backgrounds together and to learn from each other.
A day on the streets of Amman was followed with an the evening at the residence of the Australian Ambassador to Jordan, HE Mr Glenn White. Over 70 AVI volunteers, AVI staff members and representatives from local partner organisations and AusAID joined Mr White to celebrate International Volunteer Day, AVI’s 60th anniversary and the opening of AVI’s Middle East regional office in Amman.
Find out more about Hamzet Wasel.