Under the Spotlight
Today I stood on the stage before tens of people, their eyes were on me, I recited my poetry, they heard my voice, they were cheering and clapping for me, and I was not scared or intimidated. For the first time in my life, I was proud of being myself. I enjoy writing school-plays and poetry. I started writing when I was nine years old. The plays I wrote were performed on the school theatre. As for me; I always hid in the back rows, hoping no one would take notice of me. I even insisted that my name will not be revealed nor called out in public. Until one day a friend asked me to join the peer education programme through the youth centre at my village. I refused. I totally dismissed the idea in the beginning. My reason; I had never been a member of anything in my life! But the Youth Centre’s Manager was persistent; he never gave up on me. Mr. Rajab, from the Youth Association for Population and Development, also met with me and paid my dad a visit. He explained how the programme will affect my life, how I can help others by becoming a role model, and encouraged me to attend the interviews for the peer educators. He said if I disliked the programme I can always withdraw. This was a great relief for me. That day I was so scared and worried. I kept contemplating what would they think of me and how I can impress them. I am so glad I went; the look in their eyes was very comforting. I felt safe. I had to stand up and speak publicly. At the beginning I felt paralyzed. My self-doubt rendered me unable to accomplish my assignment. Then Mr. Rajab made me realise that my doubts are not real. He added that I should never allow negative ideas to take over, “be confident,” he said. I followed his advice and I made a good presentation during the training. Following the training, I formed a group with my friends in my village. I was in charge of a group of 25 adolescent girls all on my own. Through my work as a peer educator I gained a great deal of self confidence and experience that I was approached to participate in an initiative for working children in my village for which I received a number of appreciation certificates. I also organized ceremonies at the youth centre, and now I am the President of the Theatre Group at my school and Deputy of the school’s Radio Group. Following this transformation my six sisters and my brother joined the programme. Our youth centre has also been transformed. It used to attract boys only as girls were intimidated to go. But this is no longer the case.
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