All good things must come to an end. Yet why so soon? Nevertheless, we can feel confident that MELA has successfully left its stamp on Yas Island during our eleven days here. Ferrari World is still talking about us. In fact it plans to name its new heart-stopping roller coaster ride "The MELA." It's the same story at the Yas Hotel, where the shisha servers can be overheard saying, "It's no fun now that the MELA people have gone."
Most importantly, however, we are sure that MELA has indelibly stamped our minds and hearts with the ideas, memories and friendships which we shared here, and which we are taking away to share and cultivate for a long time to come.
Omar Samra (Founder and CEO, Wild Guanabana) pulled together many of our workhop's themes -- leadership, teamwork, goal-setting, strategic planning -- and translated them into practical use in the most punishing setting imaginable, as he describes how he became the first Egyptian and youngest Arab to climb Mount Everest.
Omar gathers new Egyptian recruits for upcoming expeditions: Nahla, Ali.
As you carve your leadership path, don't weigh yourself down with unnecessary baggage. Free yourself from habits and assumptions that breed an unconscious fear of change -- Jim Crupi's message to the group on shaping the future.
MELA's life savers: Walid, Muzaffar, Omar. Ginny recognizes and thanks the key program staff with MELA Life Saver awards.
Basma receives the Star of MELA award for her indefatigable efforts in making the program a success in UAE.
GRADUATION AND INDUCTION CEREMONIES
Participants are awarded a certificate of completion for the MELA Academy, and are officially inducted as members into MELA as a regional network organization.
Dan calls Abdullah onto the stage to receive his certificate from Meisa Batayneh and Nabil Alyousuf.
The Photogenic Mr. Adel.
So, what are the comments from the floor about Ali Fadhlani?
"Friendly!"
"Intelligent!"
"Good dresser"!?
Asma encourages the audience to use more imagination in its choice of adjectives!
(How about: Aerodynamic?)
Thumbs up from Asmaa.
Falah has a couple funny stories he would like to relate...
Hind's smile lights up the room.
Khadeeja reflects on her experience with her MELA peers.
Dan and Noura have obviously got something very special going. -- Lights! Music!
Pierre coins the acronym of the day with the observation that MELA is a Magical Experience for a Lifetime Ahead.
"Fabulous smile!"
And a fabulous person.
Jordanian elegance x 2: Reem, Meisa.
"And for my next song..."
Thamer is Nabil's kind of guy.
Youssef is everybody's kind of guy!
A great many gardeners labored behind the scenes to bring MELA 3 to glorious fruition. Andrew is pushed to the stage to take a well-deserved bow.
As Faculty Coordinator, Bill Starnes was the man who laid out the garden's paths and flower beds.
Adam collected exotic seeds from all over the region.
Nothing would have grown, however, without Ginny's watering can.
We salute the hard-working facilitators: Meade, Anu, Ernst...
...John, Susan, Brice...
Special gratitude to our Master Gardener Jim Crupi.
Abdullah Alkasabi is one of the two MELA 3 members elected by their peers to join the MELA Board.
Sami Ammous is the second new Board Member.
Gentlemen, we heartily congratulate you!
Congratulations to each and every one of the Marvelous, Extraordinary, Laudable and Amazing members of MELA 3!
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