By Susanne Koch | Project Development Manager
Even as temperatures started to soar above 104°F (40°C), the participants in our fitness project have been happy to resume exercising after a short break during Ramadan (month of fasting). With your support, 75 Syrian refugee ladies are currently attending our fitness classes three times per week in two camps, 22 of them for the first time! The word about our program is spreading from and we expect the attendance to continue to increase in the coming months.
Why do people keep coming despite the heat? While one of the main reasons people start coming is to lose weight, they often keep coming because they feel encouraged and accepted by each other. Women are losing weight while having fun and making friends. Since these Syrian refugees lost their natural community and relational networks when they fled their homes and villages, being known and spending time together in class has been an important step in forming new community. For some of the women the fitness classes are the only time during the week they get out of the home to do something for themselves. Several of the ladies have shared how taking part in the classes has helped them to become more patient with their children and slower to be angered by their husbands. Some of their spouses have noted the positive the positive changes and are encouraging their wives to regularly participate. Join us to help women get in shape, build relationships and impact their community.
By Scott Harris | Communications Manager
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