UMF Guides is all about Exploration, Experience and Empowerment. We have a different theme every month and invite speakers, host events and take field trips. It is an exciting, one of a kind project that aims to empower youth, by providing them experiences and helping them explore how they can make a difference using their ideas and skills, working together as a team. Our program is exclusively open to only 96 Guides at any given time: 12 Guides per Troop. UMF Boy Guides and Girl Guides each have a Noor Level (5-7 year olds), Aman Level (8-10 year olds), Salaam Level (11-13 year olds) and Hidaya Level (14-16 year olds).We strive to have at least 2 Lieutenants per Troop who serve as mentors for their troop. Our Lieutenants are High School Junior and Seniors as well as College Students and Young Adults who enjoy empowering our Guides to reach their goals. If you're interested in joining or mentoring at our Guides Program at any level, drop us an e-mail at umfguides@unitedmuslimfoundation.org for more details.
UMF Guides has been focusing on Fitness and Nutrition this February and March. Our Guides got moving with the Tennis, Kickboxing and Karate seminars and learned all about the Food Pyramid and how to cook nutritious and delicious dishes. And there's even more excitement to come, insha-Allah! Here's a few reflections on the event's we've had from Guides and Lieutenants who attended the events:
Our karate clinic was one of the most fun and engaging. The instructor showed us some really cool moves and it was amazing how disciplined our 50 Guides were - all in anticipation of the next command, and eager to learn the next defense drill.
Masuma (UMF Guides Advisor)
This month our Salaam Girls group went for cooking class. We had loads of fun learning the steps of making traditional pilaw. Each of us had the chance to contribute. Some of us peeled potatoes, some chopped onions, some diced tomatoes, and together we made a dinner of pilaw, cachumbar, ryta, and haluwa. In the end some of us took food home and some of us stayed for dinner where we enjoyed the yummy food we cooked, while chatting. Overall, it was a great experience for me personally. I got to make the recipe at home for my mom a couple of days later and she said it was the best pilaw and ryta she had ever tasted.
-Sarrah (Salaam Girls Guide)
At our last event with the Hidaya, Aman and Noor Girls Guides, the girls had a great time baking homemade cookies and making nutritious avocado and cucumber sandwiches. Each Guide got to make three cookies that they customized with colorful icings. They worked together to make the avocado spread that they made the sandwiches with.The Guides learned about different food groups and had a fun hands-on experience as they made their own snacks. They also explored nursery rhymes and books such as Mother Goose's Kitchen, Aneil Has a Food Allergy, and The Boy Who Wouldn't Eat Breakfast. The Hidaya Guides were great instructors and worked together very well with the younger Guides. Everyone seemed to enjoy this event.
Yasmeen (Noor Girls Lieutenant)
As the UMF boy guides ventured into a land of tennis balls flying everywhere, they were able to take time to enjoy this fun filled tennis clinic. With the theme of the month being fitness; the kids were highly enjoying the challenge of the sport along with the ability of gaining a healthy workout at the same time.
Imran (Hidaya Boys Lieutenant)
 Recently, UMF guides came to my classes to learn mehendi designs. It was an amazing experience with the guides, and we had a lot a fun! First, they were really scared to even draw a flower (mainly the young kids) but then they got used to it and felt comfortable. I got shocked from how much they did and got used to the cone, it was unbelievable! After they knew the basics, they started to put their own ideas and creativity into the artwork. I really appreciate UMF putting forth such a great effort to teach kids things which they don't normally learn in school. It was a great experience, and I look forward to the future with UMF! - Tasneem (Henna Art Instructor)
 I learned how to use defensive and offensive skills properly. This experience was valuable because when somebody will come to harm me I will use my techniques to defend myself. I really enjoyed the classes because I felt physically stronger and I made new friends. What I learnt from my class will be benefit others by teaching how to defend themselves.
Our last event was tantalizing to our tastebuds. We learned about vitamins A, B, C and D, about healthy eating and the food pyramid and got to sample surprise fruits, veggies and seeds from a brown paper bag and had to guess what each was, with our eyes closed. We even got to see a balloon demonstration of hypertension. It was pretty neat!
- Masuma (UMF Guides Advisor)
|
|
|
UMF has partnered with Excellence in Education Initiative to award our annual $4,000 Scholarship at the EEI Annual Recognition and Rewards Reception. Applicants must be either high school seniors or current university students. The deadline to apply is March 31st. To apply, simply fill out the online UMF Membership Form and Scholarship Application Form with all the required documentation. We're excited! Are you?
|
|
UMF Portal on TeenCentral.net
|
Muslim Portal on Teencentral.net
UMF Muslim Portal on TeenCentral.Net is really excited to feature UMF Communications Director, Farha Fazel's upcoming speaking engagement at Yale University on March 9th. Farha will be featured on a panel on youth engagement with Imam Khalid Latif of NYU, and will use this opportunity to highlight why UMF Muslim Portal will be a great resource for our youths.
Alhamdillah, UMF Muslim Portal has received much support from youth volunteer counselors! We asked one volunteer counselor, Zeba Shethwala, about her experience: "I first heard about UMF's Muslim Portal through an e-mail someone from my MSA sent out. Upon reading the message, I knew it was something I wanted to get involved with. Being a Muslim, and a woman, I have experienced first hand how difficult it can be to find an authority to talk to about different life issues. There really is no designated safe place for the Muslim youth, and it is causing many to turn away from the deen in despair. Alhamdulillah, I have no major problems in my life, but I know the same is not true for everyone. That being so, I feel a need to learn about the issues plaguing my brothers and sisters so that I can help them as best as I can. Teaming up with TeenCentral.net was a great idea! People submit their concerns in a completely anonymous manner and can expect a response within 24 hours. My biggest concern about joining the team was that I was not qualified to advise. However, I went through with the training and learned that professional counselors and psychologists look over your responses before they are submitted. If they feel your advice will do more harm than good, they will not publish your words and tell you to do it again. Similarly, I was afraid I would not know how to handle the really serious situations, but, again, the training prepared me for it all. UMF is doing an amazing thing here that will, insha'Allah, benefit so many. May Allah (swt) bestow His blessings upon all those who have worked to put the Muslim Portal together. "
|
Sign up here to check out our Hungerteam schedule for monthly feedings or to help with ongoing projects to help local homeless and to work with local schools to make sure the needs of homeless children are met. We're making a difference one step at a time :)
|
'Why Islam' goes viral in FL Alhamdulil-Lah people have been calling Why Islam in great numbers and a couple of people even decided to convert to Islam after learning more about the message of Peace. Jazak-Allah khair for all those who helped UMF support this great project with your contributions.
|
|
UMF was awarded a recognition plaque in appreciation for ongoing commitment and dedicated service to humanity by Helping Hands USA at their appreciation banquet last month. This one goes out to all our donors and volunteers. We love you!
|
|
If you'd like to find out more about UMF's projects and how you can help, drop us a line at info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org and we'll let you know where and when our next Coffee Encounters will be held so you can join our team that's making a difference!
|
|
UMF has a new website, and we are eager to see all Muslim Services advertised on it! If you'd like to learn more about pricing, please contact info@unitedmuslimfoundation.org for more details!
|
|
