Our Second Official Ice Cream Social is Coming Up!

Here comes an awesome addition to the summer.  The 99 Orphans Project team is announcing our second official ice cream social!!  Those of you who came to our last ice cream social know of all the different ice cream dishes we had, so we hope you're excited to come!

Here are some pictures and videos of our first ice cream social that took place earlier on in the summer. 

Room ready for customers!

Waitresses taking orders from customers

completing orders and making receipts

Taking Orders in the Kitchen

Making Sundaes in the Kitchen

Welcoming customers at the front

Menu in hand, ready to direct customers to tables

Customers Enjoying their Ice Cream

Custom-Ordered Sundae: 5 scoops of vanilla ice cream with all possible toppings, including bananas, kit-kat bars, MnMs, mini marshmallows, nuts (and more) and topped with whipped cream

The ice cream social will be on Monday, June 24th from 5:30 to 7:30pm.  We hope you can make it with your family and friends. We are looking forward to seeing you!

~ Nur Kose
President
DE Team

A Great First Day of the Girls' Sports Camp

Nearly a dozen girls spent a wonderful afternoon at the DE Islamic Foundation for the first day of the ZF girls' sports camp.  The girls enjoyed practicing different soccer drills and techniques, as well as playing an actual game in which the "Bunnies" won with 3 points and the "Dolphins" came in second with 1 point. 

From signing the soccer ball to doing stretches, the girls had lots of fun getting active on a nice, breezy summer day.  "My favorite part was playing soccer with my friends," one girl remarked.  All the girls enjoyed playing on the swings during the breaks. 

The girls' sports camp allows girls to have fun while helping orphans at the same time.  Alhamdulillah, we were able to raise more than $100 for the orphans project from this venture!

Please continue supporting our project with your comments, suggestions, time, and donations.

~ Nur Kose
President
DE Team

P.S. Stay tuned to find out about our upcoming second official ice cream social!  Keep checking our site!

A Great First Day of Boys' Sports Camp

A group of boys had a great time at today at the DE Islamic Foundation for the first day of their sports camp.  The huge green area was spectacular and the teacher, world-champion Brima Kamara, was awesome.  They're eagerly awaiting the next day of the camp!

The best part of the boys' sports camp is that a portion of the registration fees is going to the 99 Orphan project!  The boys are having fun and helping orphans at the same time.  Check out some pictures below:

Don't forget to support the orphans with your generous donations!

~ Nur Kose
President
DE Team 

Sewing Class - First Summer Event to Help the Orphans!

Alhamdulillah, we had our first sewing class today!  Five students registered and attended the class, learning a wonderful and exciting new skill.  All registration fees will be going to the 99 Orphans Project and the members are totally excited that we got $100 from this venture!

We'd like to give a great, hearty thank you to the teachers, students, and everyone else who helped make the first sewing class a success.  Our next and final sewing class will be next Thursday, insha Allah.  Thank you again, and don't forget to help the orphans in any way you can!

Check out the pictures below:

~ Nur Kose
President
DE Team

Lonely Maryam - A Short Story

"Ma!"  My voice echoed off the walls.  "Dad!" I screamed much louder, but it was no use.  They really were gone.  I looked around, and saw it.  What the horrible tornado had done.  It really was a wonder I was alive.  I walked through the alley.  Chunks of the bricks were gone, people were scarce, there was hardly a sound.  I just couldn't believe I was alone forever.  I quickened my steps and started running to my house, or the remains of my house.  I flung the door open...Nothing...everything was gone.  I could barely believe it.  Would I have to raise myself?  What would I eat?  So many questions and nobody to answer them.

I woke up later to find that I had fallen asleep on the floor of the living room.  Was it a dream?  Nope...still nobody.  What if my parents were still alive, like in books?  No, I knew they weren't.  I finally managed to stand.  My legs were numb from me sitting on them.  I walked upstairs.  Parts of some wood splintered my skin, but I didn't care.  I immediately went to my parents' room and dug through the closet.  It's got to be here! I thought.  Tears were blinding me from finding the key to the safe.  I was just so lonely now.  No sisters or brothers.  That made me cry harder.  Salty tears.  Dripping tears.  No key.  I looked for the safe, but without the key, there was no opening it.

I walked around the town.  Nothing was the same.  Usually everyone was happy and playing, but today, there was nothing.

There was some discarded bread on the ground, and that is when I realized I was hungry.  I reached for it just as another hand did.  I looked up.  A small boy about five years old with a dirty face and hands looked back at me.  I just couldn't take it.  Although my stomach growled, I smiled and handed it to him.  He ran away seconds after I handed it to him.  I sighed.  And I thought I had it worse.  He was just five and he was an orphan.  I hoped he could...That's when it struck me.  It was crazy, but I had to.  I could barely care for myself, but at least I wouldn't be so lonely.

"Hey!  Come back!" I yelled at the boy.  I ran and caught up to him.  I stuck out my hand and really slowly, but surely, he gave me his hand.

Imagine if you were in Maryam's or the little boy's shoes.  How would you feel?  Please donate to the 99 Orphans Project so we can help more kids like them!

~ Sabriya Zaman
Writer
Pennsylvania Team

A Gift from Me, a Gift to You

All of us have a gift Allah (SWT) has given us. It's a beautiful thing to discover what your gift is. I enjoy drawing, and I often draw nature. The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) loved nature, and he would go outside and meditate. I have decided to make a book of my artwork to sell and try to raise money for the orphan project. Art lets people stop, think and appreciate. If you have any pictures you would like to add, bring it to our meetings. I'll bring what I have so far. Insha Allah, our book will become thick enough to sell for a decent price, and we'll be able to raise money that way! You never know.  A bit of art can change someone's heart and an orphan's life!


~Hana Hubert
Writer
Gratitude Committee