A party at AFCECO orphanageS is not only about a day of enrichment in the children’s lives. It is about learning the old fashioned way, through experience. Preparations begin two weeks before the event. The tasks are delegated and all the children have a role to play. For the drama production, as well as the singing and dance competitions, at first comes a lesson in consensus building: who is most interested as well as capable, and what shall they perform? It is also a lesson in humility for those who are selected as well as those who don’t make the cut.
This is followed by a commitment to daily rehearsals, pulling together costumes, and practicing on their own time. Other than costumes, this is true for all the other participants; the contestants in a quiz competition, debating, joke telling, twenty questions, spontaneous composition of poetry all go through a winnowing down, all must commit and of course, ultimately be willing to risk failure.
Behind the scenes are the masters of ceremony and the organizers, and what a to-do list they have! Transforming the empty basement into a theatre that can hold 200 people comfortably is only the tip of the iceberg. Gifts, decorations, refreshments, the overall management of the preparations, the event and its participants are no small items to consider. They must also learn and practice the subtler but nonetheless vital life skills such as conflict resolution, decision-making, remaining calm under pressure and being gracious, well mannered hosts.
Behind all of this of course is the committed staff of Mehan. The path they choose, empowering the children and giving them opportunity to learn and grow through taking responsibility, is the more difficult path for any leader of any organization. See the faces of these children, whether winning a contest or cleaning up the mess and stacking the chairs, they do it with great pride in themselves and respect for their peers. Here's to Mehan, and the children of the other two orphanages in Kabul, on another successful party, and the deepening well of valued memories and skills they gain in the process.
