Traveller’s blog no 11 - Mahar

This is the story of a bunch of 60 strangers that met at Guilford and lived together for only one week and when the time came to say goodbye, it was really difficult after they became really good friends.

 

We came from 43 different countries with different ideas and opinions yet the same reason, to make the world a better place. We shared our experiences, told each other about our different cultures, had fun sometimes and had to work hard other times. If you were there, you would get shocked by the number of cameras scattered everywhere. We were just trying to take pictures to remember these amazing moments, but what I realized was that it wasn’t these pictures that made our experience seem real. It was the feeling we had at the end of each day before we get to sleep. It was the feeling we had when it was time to say goodbye, when we couldn’t sleep and stayed awake till the morning just to take advantage of each second we could spend together before it was time for our flights. That was what made it REAL!

 

We didn’t built normal connections, we didn’t just discuss a network, or youth activism; we built much more. We built amazing friendships that will last. The 59 people that were total strangers to me three months ago are the same 59 people that I really needed to meet to get inspired. Since I came back here, I’ve been working on so many projects. Now, we are raising money for the students in Gaza that don’t have enough money. We sell "For Gaza" shirts, and on Monday 31/3/2008, all the students in AUB, Lebanon, AUB, Egypt, and all the universities and private schools in Palestine wore the shirt. I also managed to organize a group, and we are preparing for few projects to do in the summer. Hopefully when we start doing them, I will update you all.

 

However, I know that the 59 people from Guilford are the ones who inspired me and gave me courage and confidence to continue my way, and fight for what I believe in. The flight took off, that’s right, however it wasn’t the end, for each one of us came back to their own countries holding inside of them a part of the people they met in Guilford, holding inside of them an amazing experience. They went back to their countries with goals, challenges, and a HOPE to live for, knowing that whatever gets in their way, they have 59 people by their back to help them stand up if they ever fall…

 

A Special Thanks… to the Special People I met… (click here)