Marhaban. It has been a privilege and an honor to have been working with all of you over the past two weeks. It is humbling to witness your perseverance and ambition as individuals as you work towards bettering yourself and your community here in Palestine.
We at Recrear are a small network of youth who believe that if we can inspire just one person, to connect even one idea to spark another’s passion, then we can create an action big enough to impact a community. I feel that in our time here at An-Najah we have succeeded in doing that.
We came to Palestine as five individuals from different cultures to help teach you the skills we have found useful in our own lives, in order to equip you to be as successful as you strive to be. I want you to remember that you have the ability to think outside the box, to knock on doors you did not previously see, to imagine new goals for your future, and most importantly, to know you have the skills and support to go after them.
I have found a part of myself in so many of you here so I would like to tell you this: I am no different from you. I am a man. I am a student. I find myself successful in pursuing my own life’s happiness because I work hard to turn obstacles into challenges. This power is yours too. Success means nothing without failure. When you hit a wall, look for a window. When you don’t know what your next move should be, seek out help. When you are told no to a request, ask the question in a different way.
It may take a village to raise a child, but it only takes an individual to raise a community.
-KP
