Silva...
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| Silva laughing and sharing the joy with everyone around her while talking to PLC team visiting her. Picture was taken by Erin W. PLC |
Dancing in the face of violence.
At the International Women’s day I was invited to speak in a conference that was hosted by University of Kurdistan hawker-UKH and the International Organization for Migration-IOM. The conference was centered around a panel of seven inspirational women, sharing their stories of struggle and success. I was so honored to be invited as one of those super women. We heard all their amazing stories. Their stories included starting businesses, being strong, facing challenges in a society that is in a default mode against their freedom. Those women have done the impossible to stand in the face of operation.
What I have shared was a bit different though. I have decided not to share about myself but actually share about the great women I work with. In particular a story of an amazing strong young lady I had the pleasure to be introduced to seven months ago. Now, I will be sharing it with you because of it’s importance.
Story Time;
Silva was invited by Enas, an amazing Program Officer at PLC. Silva came to work as the cleaner in the office. She was very quite, never spoke, and she just did her job and went back to the camp. Silva come from a very abusive family. She was never able to speak up. She got married off too young and ended up with two kids and an abusive husband. When Silva worked with us, she realized she has a voice. Silva realized that she can be someone new. She can be someone who is strong and can smile and be happy. I saw Silva changes and open up in the most amazing way. She started to be part of the team. She was someone I was looking forward to see three days a week, and I miss her presence on the rest. She started to take intuitive, ask questions, and always smile.
One day I was planning with Sarah, the business developer at PLC (An amazing human specimen that I will share much about her later on) the candle making business. We were struggling to find women who are able to do the business right. Silva came to me and told me that she had some experience in making candles; as she worked at a cosmetic factory when she was in Syria. I asked her to try it out. Sarah got her all the supplies, and she started to the process of making the candles. After all the few samples she showed us, me and Sarah told Silva to start teaching the ladies how to actually make the candles and train them to be better. Silva transformed over few months. I remember the last day I went to the office to finish up all the final details, and I had the most beautiful conversation with Silva. Silva was sharing with Sarah, Enas and I about her husband abuse and her reaction to it. She said, “Before I was filled with fear. I used to cry and not able to defend myself. Now I am different. Do you know what I did yesterday when they tried to abuse me.” We all were waiting for her to say the next sentence. Silva continued, “I danced.” She said that while moving her hands in the air. YES! She danced in the face of violence. She danced her abuse away.
Silva’s story is one of many that I have encountered in my life. With a little bit of love and empowerment Silva was able to put herself at the path of change and power. She started leading her life. I know for a fact that many other women and girls can exactly be the same as Silva if we nurture them and gave them a hand to become better.
The challenge for you today is to help someone in realizing their potential. The help doesn’t have to be financial. We can help empowering people with education, with holding their hands through tough times, or even help in guiding them to execute a plan to better their lives. So my challenge is to do something and never stand still. let’s all dance in the face of violence, and push people to greatness.
Thanks for reading and being part of my life.
Peace and Love,
Dr. Sarah AK Ahmed
Location - Hamilton Ontario CA
Time - 10:11 PM
Very Inspiring!
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