Seeds of Hope has become known in Jericho and the surrounding communities for our incredible programs. But just like those programs wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our Seeds of Hope family, we know they also wouldn’t be possible without our incredible staff team.
You get to hear from our staff team when we share about our latest events or programs, but this week, we wanted to share a little more with you about the couple behind the Seeds of Hope Cultural Center.
Meet Simon and Regina Shaheen
Originally from Switzerland, Regina learned about Seeds of Hope in 2010. She felt God calling her to get involved so she decided to visit for a few weeks and volunteer.
“Everything was so different than I thought,” Regina remembers. “Honestly, I was not in love with the city of Jericho at first sight, but I did fall in love with the people of Jericho.”
That love would drive Regina to turn her short trip into a long-term volunteer position—and over 14 years of living in Jericho. “I decided to open my heart to what God had in store for me,” she shared. “I was overwhelmed with love for these people. I wanted to stay forever.”
A few years after Regina moved to Jericho, in 2013, Simon got involved in helping to organize a Seeds of Hope Christmas choir. Afterward, Seeds of Hope’s founder asked him to consider coming on board to help lead the new Cultural Center. “I thought about the offer,” said Simon. “I always wanted to do something with and for kids. So I agreed to give it a try.”
Over the last decade, Simon and Regina have worked together to build the Seeds of Hope Cultural Center in a thriving program that’s still growing. They launched and expanded our afterschool program, created unforgettable experiences for kids and students like our summer camp, and are developing programs to help uplift women in the community.
“I feel like I am doing exactly what I am passionate about,” shared Simon. “It never feels like ‘work’ to me, but fulfilling a calling. That creates a lot of fun and excitement. I’ve built relationships over the years. We’ve seen the kids grow and become leaders for the coming generation.”
Along the way, Simon and Regina also got married and grew a family of their own! Now, with two children, they’ve made Jericho their home. “Seeds of Hope has become my second family,” said Simon, who has gotten his own brother and sister involved in leading Seeds of Hope programs over the years. “At Seeds of Hope, we’re not only coworkers—we’re friends, brothers, and sisters.”
Regina shares a similar sentiment: “Since day one, Seeds of Hope has been my family and home away from home. They took me in as one of their own, and it’s a huge honor for me. I’ve found friends for life through Seeds of Hope.”
And as big of an impact as Simon and Regina have had on Seeds of Hope and our community, it has changed them as well. Through connecting with volunteers and project teams, Simon has gotten a new view of what faith can look like. “I used to live a very traditional Christian life. Many Christians in Jericho are more committed to the traditions than having a living faith. After working at Seeds of Hope, my beliefs have changed a lot. Through volunteers, I have learned that my faith could look different and much more alive.”
That living faith is evidenced not only in Simon as a person but also in the programs and experiences he and Regina lead. “Simon and Regina have truly helped mold this work into something beautiful,” shared Seeds of Hope CEO Khader Ghanim. “Their love for the Lord and others is contagious, and so many children and their families in Jericho are impacted by it. I can’t imagine what Seeds of Hope would look like if they were not here.”
We’re so grateful for all our team members like Simon and Regina, who have devoted their lives to investing in the next generation of leadership in Jericho and beyond!
