1400 Books

Dearest blog readers, today I am posting something interesting and exciting for everyone to do, especially the book worms that have the desire to share some of their books with others in need.

Recently I have found about a very thoughtful initiative by some youth to help the IDPs in sharyar camp in Kurdistan region. This initiative is called “1400 books”. It is carried out by a group of thoughtful, active and energetic students who went through an exchange program in the US of America for 4 weeks. To be part of an exchange program and to be taught how to implement successful projects in the society is a step toward a bright future for the youth and the country.

Many programs such as ILEP, MEPI, and SUSI are the cause of bringing out productive capacities of youth to the light. Its essential to mention that these exchange programs are really important and useful as they widen the horizon of the youth and push them toward social activities to build a health and productive society. i have also been one of those youth and got the chance to become a "MEPI" girl. those programs focus on leadership programs and bringing out the best inside the youth,.pushing them to work and implement project when they go back to their homeland. Many of the youth implement successful projects and activities and one of these activities which attracted my attention was the "1400 Books" maybe because i am a book worm or maybe because it was a new idea to be implemented in the country. 

The youth who took this initiative are alumnus of “ILEP” program. According to the founder of this project (Thames alyas) if:

99 IYLEPers could donate 2 Books then there will be  (198) ‪Books

and if 99 IYLEPers asked 2 Friends to donate books there will be (198) Friends

and if those (198) Friends donated 2 Books each, there will be (396) Books, therefore the equation is:

99 IYLEPers X 2 Friends of Friends = (396) Friends of Friends

(396) Friends of Friends X 2 Books = (792) Books

So now we have 198+396+792= 1386 Books

and by adding 14 more books  the total becomes 1400 Books.

photo: Google 

If you are a book lover and you have some to donate then do not hesitate to contact them and help those who are in need to books you keeping on your shelf. To give you an idea, most of the people in the camps have lots of free time and they need some activities and something interesting to fill them their time. They are not like regularly people who can access internet at any time and go out anywhere they want. Therefore, giving them a book from your collection will be a great input in helping them and putting a smile on their face.  If you are interested in donating a book contact me to put you in touch with the focal points. This campaign will continue until 15^th of September therefore hurry up and check your collection to choose a book and make someone smile.

Note, religious books are not accepted.

Yala, we all have at least a book to donate. 

Lessons I Learnt Behind the Bars

The night before the training, I couldn't sleep. I was waking up every 30 or 45 minutes thinking of tomorrow. I was excited for this new and unique experience yet I was very worried as well. I was wondering if I am doing the right thing, asking myself is it safe to go to a prison full of criminals. I was telling myself “Huda, what if one of them attacked you. Why would you put yourself in such a position?” After all it’s a risk. What if they did not like me and instead hated me. After all they are in prison and an outsider for them is someone who will show off and only give them advices which they hate. In the morning woke up and I prepared myself and I wore no make-up and wore the longest shirt I have to cover all my body, hair up and revised some of my notes.  I have to be honest, I was afraid as well but never told my parents or my loved ones. Instead I was telling them Fshya, everything will be fine and nothing serious will happen.Went in, heart beats fastened. As they were coming into the hall one by one I was avoiding looking into their eyes. I was a bit worried. Later after 30 minutes it was the moment I had to open my mouth with a smile and start talking. At the beginning it was difficult for them to interact with me and the other trainer and this is very normal as we face this in almost all the trainings. Later, they started to be more open. For my surprise only two hours after we started and during the break, two of the youth came to me and telling me that they will be out very soon and they want to do trainings for other youth outside. I was not surprised but shocked, Couldn't be happier in my life than I was in that moment .

"Preparation for the HIV session"

 Most of them learned a lesson from the reformatory prison, and some of them grew there. Some were there since 11 years old; I asked myself what an 11 years old boy knows about crimes, bad things and consequences? I am very sure only if they were directed right they would have been very normal kids. During lunch me and my co-trainer friend decided to eat with the prisoner (crazy and risky) I know that very well. There, we wanted to know their stories and how they end up here. Each had their own story, through that I found out that they are never bad people. At all. But their circumstances were bad. Most of the troubles they went through and most of the crimes they were convicted to were a result of their families. Some were spoiled more than necessary and others were neglected. Each one them has a very pure soul and I would never say they are criminals any more because they are good people but their actions were bad due to the circumstances and situations they went through. I spent four days with a group of boys who taught me a lot. Indirectly they taught me I could be in there place if I want lucky . Anyone of us could be in their place but we are luckier in terms of our families and the people we are surrounded by. Not all of them is there because they did something wrong, actually some are there because they refused wrong things. One of the stories that broke my heart was (A.B.L) story. He was rarely smiling. Not looking into my eyes as I was explaining the topics. He was avoiding group work. He was simply broken. Therefore, I wanted to know more about him, like others was a normal boy and working to help his family. Once his boss at work wanted to sexually abuse him, and because he didn't want to be abused, he defended himself and unfortunately killed his boss at age 13). I can't put myself in his shoe and know how exactly he feels. I know what he is going through is the hardest thing one can ever go through. 

After this experience I am looking at life even more differently and I am more grateful for what I have. If those innocent youth had the same privileges I enjoyed they wouldn't be there but here outside enjoying life. I am leaving the reformatory but my heart stays there with them. They are not criminals; I won’t accept anyone to say that in front of me. They are actually the victims of their families and the way they were raised. 

Peer Education training was always and will always be a very good way to approach the youth's thoughts and feelings. I am proud, very happy for what I and my co-trainer Zhila xan did to help those good souls behind the bars. I shouldn't forget the the one who was working on the agenda  days and nights far from Kurdistan just to make the training very well designed and productive as much as possible"Sazan". I know we succeeded through their feedbacks. one wrote "I wish this training last for 365 days". This short sentence says it all and I made to forget my sleepless nights and the tiring days. 

An evaluation paper from one of the youth says " I wish this training was for 365 days" and "I like everyone to be like you"

it was defiantly worth it, an experience I wont regret and will do my best to repeat it. They never attacked, disrespected me, or even give me a bad look. They weren't monsters to eat me. They were normal teenagers and they were much much better than I have ever expected.  All what they need is a second chance in life and I believe it not hard to give them that chance. I shall Thank them for all the lessons they taught me. who knows maybe one of them one days will read this blog.  

"One of the activities to teach them cooperation ,working together and helping each other"

A breath, a tear, and a dream

Do you know that special type of inhaling breath? The one you inhale it very deep and keep it for as long as you can while you are thinking? No no, not the one you take while exercising yoga or when you swim.  The one you inhale the biggest wish you have with it? The type of breath you don’t want to release and prison inside your chest? The one that is filled with hopes and big wishes. I take that breath every day and when I release it I smile with a special tear.

What about that type of tear you want to release but you can’t and some times you don’t want to release. That special type of tear, not the sad tear or the one you have when you are at the peak of your happy moments.  The kind of tear you keep and save and promise you won’t spill until it’s the right time to do so. The tear which gives your brain a thunderbolt with a pain you endure just to keep it. The hardest type of tear you keep and you feel your throat will explode if you don’t release it. The kind when you think your heart will come out of your chest if you don’t spill it, yet you keep it. Yes, you keep it. You keep it, for that special dream, the one you are waiting for it to come true.

What about that special dream you have. Your biggest dream, do you have one? That dream is very different and precious. It’s not finding the best job, nor finding the love of your life. It’s neither finishing studying nor having a fancy life or go on a trip to a place you always wanted, but it’s much much bigger. It’s a dream that might make you the most selfish one for wanting it more than anything else and more than anyone on this planet. It’s a dream you would give up everything for it. A dream you are ready to sacrifice your life for it just to make it come true. I wonder if you have such a dream, because I have one. I don’t dream it only at night, but during my days, my sleep and when I am awake.

My most loyal reader, that breath I inhale only when I think of my first love, my beloved one, and my pride. I have promised myself to not shed that tear until I hear my love’s name called out and recognized by everyone. When everyone, every person on this planet know who is my love. I will keep shedding those tears until my biggest dream comes true. Until I shout out “Look, world, people, and nations, my love, my first love is independent” Kurdistan is independent.

Yes, my biggest and most precious dream is to see my beautiful Kurdistan independent. only then I can die in peace.

Yes, I am keeping my tears everyday “I am not exaggerating”. I am keeping them, giving me all that pain in my brain and my throat. I am saving them for the day I see my land independent then I shed them with pride.

Yes, I will keep inhaling that special type of breath every day and imagine myself one day crying and shouting “I am from the independent Kurdistan”.

My love, I am saving my tears until you come true.

Come true soon, because my I don’t know until when my heart will take it.

Painting done by:Asuda rwandizi