What People Are Saying About The Open Hands Initiative

"The trip to Syria with Open Hands Initiative was a life changing event introducing us to the Middle East and to the experience of people with disabilities outside of the US firsthand. All the young adults, mothers and fathers truly have the same concerns about work, education, falling in love, socializing and being respected and accepted.

My son, John and I tell people here in America about our trip quite often. Most people are stunned to hear that we were in Syria. "Why?", they wonder. My son, John and I are honored to have the chance to tell the story of the Open Hands project. We explain how beautifully youth from America and Syria collaborated with enthusiasm, joy and optimism. We send our wishes for peace and safety to all the people of Syria and especially to our friends from the Open Hands Initiative event, August 2010. With gratitude to everyone who is part of the Open Hands Initiative."

- Judy and John Hengesbaugh, San Diego, CA (Parent and Participant, Youth Ability Summit)

 

"On the Global Post/Open Hands Fellowship, I learned more in the span of 10 days that I ever thought possible. Working on a team with incredibly talented, well-rounded journalists from the U.S and Egypt to cover this incredible story, this Revolution, was an outright surreal experience. I feel extremely proud to have been part of this project."

-Sara Farag Elkamel, Cairo, Egypt (Reporting Fellow)

 

 

"When I think back to those 10 days in Egypt, I recall vividly the warm friends I made, the new views on journalism I adopted, and the satisfying taste of fresh hummus. The experience that made the whole fellowship worth every ounce of effort to me was when Omnia, Lauren and I took a train to Upper Egypt and spent the day interviewing Coptic Christians in poor desert towns that are overlooked by most journalists. Having the chance to do real storytelling in a place that is changing so quickly was an opportunity that changed the way I think about reporting, especially after learning from the Egyptian journalists how much their government tries to suppress their work. If I ever become a full-fledged foreign correspondent, I will owe my success to the guidance and vision of the GlobalPost/Open Hands Initiative fellowship."

-Matt Negrin, Washington, DC (Reporting Fellow)

 

 

"My experience with the Open Hands Initiative in Syria was an amazing opportunity for self reflection and connection. It allowed me to open my eyes and see the world and advocacy in a whole new light. My experiences and the people I have met have forever changed my life."

-Sarah Funes, San Francisco, CA (Youth Ability Summit Participant)