» Cha Cha Cha Changes | The Advocacy Project

Reina Sultan recently graduated from UCSB with honors as a Political Science major (International Relations) and French minor. As a student fundraiser and subsequently a fundraising supervisor at the UCSB Annual Fund, she raised nearly $170,000 for student resource programs. She strove to involve herself in several organizations, holding leadership positions in both her sorority and Associated Students over the course of several years. During her junior year, she was awarded the prestigious Philip & Aida Siff Educational Foundation Scholarship in recognition of her academic achievements. While interning in Washington D.C. that same year, she was given the opportunity to represent UCSB at UC Day, a yearly event aimed at lobbying California representatives to better serve the UC system. She just ended her time working as an English teaching assistant in France, where she worked with high school students in priority education zones. She is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with Collateral Repair Project in Amman, Jordan. The daughter of Lebanese refugees, she feels very strongly about advocating for and volunteering with refugee communities displaced by violence. After returning from Jordan, Reina recounted her time there by saying, "I wish I could express in words how meaningful and formative my time with CRP was. AP gave me the opportunity to work with and amplify the voices of beautiful, resilient refugee women in Amman, Jordan. I urge everyone with the means and privilege to make change with an organization like CRP to seize that opportunity immediately".

31 May

Nothing prepares you for the moment you step off a plane and into a country you aren’t yet familiar with. The panic, the excitement, the *I will NOT let this taxi driver rip me off* is the same in every new country I visit. Yet, every time I am taking those overly confident steps toward my cab, these feelings catch me off guard.

Determined, I shake those feelings off and get in the cab (refusing to pay anything more than 20 JD). I relax a bit and move on to worrying about Ramadan in this desert heat when I hear, “Are you Muslim?” and I reply affirmatively and my cab driver wishes me a blessed Ramadan. First real Arabic interaction: check. I mentally note to put this in my blog (hi guys!). “Are you married?” Here we go.

This is where I will be updating you all about the funny (above), sad, enraging, and joyous experiences I have in Amman, Jordan. Arriving here, I felt all those new feelings associated with change but I also felt prepared to begin this Peace Fellowship. Last week, I spent 9-5 everyday with the other amazing fellows, being trained by experts in videography, M&E, photography, blogging, fundraising, podcasting, etc. Thanks to video training, you shouldn’t be surprised when you see my name in all the Oscar buzz for 2018.

I am now confident that I have the tools to grapple with all the changes around me. I am ready to lift up the voices of the women I’ll be working with, whether that be with videos or blogs. But will the women want their stories heard? Will they accept my help? I worry about these things, but I am eager to get started with my work at CRP. I meet with my supervisor, Tim, on Sunday and will have a clearer vision of where these 10 weeks will lead me. Until then, I’m updating all of you on the beginning of this amazing journey and making further preparations where I can.

As promised, I have great news for those who want to help. June 20th is International Refugee Day. The Advocacy Project is going to pair with Global Giving to raise funds for CRP’s Hope Workshop, with each donation being matched 100%!!!! I will have a lot more info on this coming soon, but put it on your calendars now so you don’t forget.

With that, I leave you until Friday. Make sure to keep a look out here every Wednesday and Friday to stay up to date with my fellowship!

Posted By Reina Sultan (Jordan)

Posted May 31st, 2017

Kamal
May 31, 2017

Based on the famous saying ” lighting a candle is better than cursing the darkness”, your flame is no longer weak. It will soon join the others’ shining to defeat the world darkness of unfairness.
Long live the volunteers

Reina Sultan (Jordan)
June 2, 2017

Hi Kamal,
I love that saying. It’s very beautiful and extremely fitting. Hopefully, I can do good work here!

Alex Goldstein
June 2, 2017

So happy you made it safely! Can’t wait to hear all about your amazing experience. xoxxo
Karen Delaney
June 4, 2017

I can hear your voice while reading your blog – love it !! Like your video, I am know you will put 110% on everything you do there. Can’t wait to read about your great work (and the adventures that come with it). Love from DC.