The dreams of young Palestinian women

“I have a dream”

Those famous words still echo around the world. Today I stumbled across the dreams of young women of the village of Nahhalin. They were hanging on thin fragile cotton threads in the women’s group’s meeting room, cut into different shapes and painted in different colours. Some were dreaming in English, and some had written their dreams in Arabic.

In Palestine it is easier for us in our role as EAs to come in contact with men, and they are the majority of our contacts. To balance we try to interact with the women as well as, and having conversation classes in English for young women is one fora for reaching this vulnerable group in the Palestinian society. It is not primarily about the language, but rather about meeting these lovely young women. The women’s centre is driven by the Tent of Nations, and one very fierce yet kind woman named Jihan is the heart and soul of the centre, serving as our translator and facilitating our dialogue with the women. Observing their high spirits, their reflections on life and sometimes also sharing our own stories is a very rewarding experience.

What are the dreams of these young women?

The notes said “I hope to finished university and find a job,” “I hope the olive trees I planted in Palestine will grow well,” “I hop continuo learn and study something I like,” “Visit to Jarasalem,” and “My dream to visit Turky and all the world.”

Today we spent time talking about these dreams, and heard even more. One girl wanted to compete in a biking completion, another take care of others and become a nurse, a third wanted to become a powerful woman, who could wear suits and work in business. One wanted to be a car mechanic, another dreamt of becoming a hairdresser and another who holds a degree in geography wanted to work as a cartographer.

What they all had in common is their courage to dream.

That the dreams of these women come true, is all that I could wish for. The girls would in Arabic be saying “Inshallah”, and hopefully, God willing, they can do more than just dream.