From hosting orphans to career days, art shows, and graduations, Adventist education plays a vital role in shining the light and love of God across MENAU.
It is a busy season for our schools and learning centers, with graduations and year-end events in full swing. “This is the favorite part of my job,” says Candace Iseminger, MENAU’s Director of Education, as she visits schools across the region. “Seeing the difference Adventist education is making firsthand is incredibly rewarding.”
Our schools and learning centers continue to build trust and connection across diverse communities, creating natural spaces for faith and learning. Recent service projects and celebrations provide a snapshot of Adventist education in action.
Adventist National School in Jordan Hosts Orphans
Teachers at the Adventist school in Jordan this year wanted to reach out during the month of Ramadan, a time of fasting and intentional giving to those in need. Initially, they planned to take food and clothes to an orphanage, but there was so much interest in helping out that they ended up bussing the children to the school so that a large group of teachers and students could participate. Volunteers treated 34 children and their caregivers to an afternoon filled with games, activities, and a shared meal provided at a discount by a well-known local restaurant. The evening ended with an ice cream truck lighting up the playground—an unexpected delight that brought the day to a joyful close.“It was a big success—everyone involved loved it,” said Principal Elza Haddad. “We’ll definitely do it again next year.”
Art Exhibit at Adventist School Mouseitbeh
The Adventist School in Mouseitbeh continues to be a light in the heart of Beirut. This past school year was interrupted due to armed conflict (during which time the school offered sheltered and loving care to refugees), but students made up for lost time as evidenced by the end year art exhibit.
The school’s art program provides a safe place for finding joy through creative expression. “There’s no such thing as being bad art,” says the art director, sharing how great it is to see the children lose their fear of making a mistake and their wonder at creating something they didn’t know they had in them.
The final art show, an annual event where the school is reimagined as a gallery showcasing students’ creative works, left parents and guests delighted and impressed.
Zeitoun School Cairo Becomes Adventist Language School
Zeytoun Adventist School, located in Al-Zeytoun, Cairo, has recently received permission from the Egyptian Education Department to offer education in English, as well as the traditional Arabic classes. This brought the need of a change in name: the school is now called Adventist Language School (ALS). Located in a densely populated area of the city, ALS is a lively institution that offers Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary levels, serving around 800 students.