“My name is Rama Abu Sara from Beit Umar. I am 19 years old and I am studying Business Management in Al Najah University in Nablus. I participated in a number of Parents Circle activities, mostly in the Summer Program for 3-4 years and Dialogue Meetings, but I was never fully convinced about peace with the other side, because it is hard for me to think about making peace with those who killed the ones who are dear to me. I lost two family members, two cousins, who were killed by the Israelis. I always saw Israelis as murderers.

I signed up for the YAP project and to be honest, I went with low expectations and little belief, but after a number of weekend meetings my opinion changed and this project became a turning point for me in my personal life and my life with the Parents Circle. This project gave me a very deep understanding. I started to go to the weekend meetings with full belief, without fear from what my society thinks about this idea of peace.

This idea is now etched within me; I believe in it and so I began to tell others the truth, and every time that I am asked about where I am going and why, I tell the truth…This is my way and I will continue on in this way until I reach my goal, even if it is against the odds, it will grow with time.

We learned how to engage in dialogue; we got to know the importance and the value of the projects of the Parents Circle…Thank you so much for this hope.”

Aya: “I first met the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) two years ago, when I stumbled upon a video on Facebook, ‘We Don’t Want You Here.‘ This sentence hit my stomach. I felt that they had succeeded in naming a feeling I hadn’t yet put to words. Then, two years later, I was invited to join the PCFF’s program of ‘Young Ambassadors for Peace.’ I felt I had been given an opportunity to act. To do something. To stop living in a bubble, surrounded by peace-seeking ideas, but instead to be a part of the peace process.

When my father died I felt my whole word was rattled. I felt a void open within me, that with the passing years I understood would never be filled. The longing became an inseparable part of my life, the feeling of missing out on something large followed me wherever I went. As I grew older and became exposed to the world, to other opinions, to the nation’s conduct, feelings and questions were awoken within me on the meaning of our lives here. The country continuously goes to war over land.

And here, the PCFF, gives me the outlet for my cry for a positive place. For a place of action. Because it’s enough. No more. The time has come to end the undermining of life, and such great losses. We must pave the way to a life where we can finally breathe. Where we can live in safety, and in peacefulness. With the PCFF’s help I have paved one more stone on the path to peace. May we be fortunate to witness better days.”