Don and Sharon Doenitz are expatriates who moved to the Middle East from Oklahoma, United States. After living and working in Saudi Arabia for several years, they relocated to Bahrain. Animal lovers, the Doenitz’ brought their aging Siamese cat named Daisy with them to Saudi Arabia. After a long and happy life, Daisy passed away. Sad without their feline companion around the house, the Doenitz’ adopted a Saudi cat, Shoufy.
Looking for a way to share her experiences in the Middle East with youngsters who might not know much about the region, Sharon Doenitz wrote a book about her family’s adventures titled, “The Day Shoufy the Cat Started to Purr.” That first story has now been followed by another Shoufy adventure called, “The Day Shoufy the Cat Caught Wazaka, the Gecko.”
The books are supplemented by a website, www.shoufy.com, which is loaded with free, fun activities for children. Children may also send e-mail to Shoufy and the little cat will nicely answer all their queries about Bahrain and her life there.
Shoufy.com is a labor of love for Don and Sharon. It is their way of reaching out to children everywhere and giving them firsthand information about life in the Middle East. Many children are curious about what they see on television about the Middle East but most have no way of directly interfacing with anyone in the region. Shoufy.com gives them the opportunity to learn more about the Middle East in an age appropriate manner.
Often we feel that we can’t make a difference in this world. The Doenitz family is proving that it is possible to make a meaningful difference one child, one click, at a time.