"The Occupation Killed Every Dream in Our Minds"

Rafan- "The occupation killed every dream in our minds"

This is Rafan (the Arabic word for "sensitive"), whom I first met at Askar refugee camp in Palestine.  There are 2 Askar camps that are home to 15,000 refugees.  Rafan has lived several places, but has been at Askar for 3 years.  Her smile lit up the bland room when she entered, and unlike most of the youth that are somewhat shy when they see a westerner, Rafan immediately stepped up to shake my hand before I even said hello.  "Issmi Rafan (my name is Rafan)" she said boldly without hesitation.  She's 15, but her demeanor speaks of a well educated mid-20 year old.  Rafan has spunk.

She spoke a little English, and knew some of the questions before the interpreter even started.  In the United States, Rafan would be a popular high schooler (probably prom queen), with all the spoils that American high school has to offer.  Instead of shopping at Forever 21 and watching Vampire Diaries like her American counterparts, Rafan helps out at the refugee summer school camp (and has some fun herself).  

Rafan's story is important because she has a real grasp on the realities of Palestine despite being a teenager.  I knew this after the first question I asked her- What do you want to be when you grow older?  She answered without hesitation, "A journalist..."  she responded.  I was about to ask why, but she continued... "You see, there are so many things that happen here in Palestine, so many stories from the people at the camps that go unnoticed.  No one knows of the atrocities that we endure on a daily basis. The world needs to know these things.  I'd like to be apart of that eye-opening process. I want to tell the world."   

When asked what kind of ID she had, the interpreter said "Palestinian."  Palestinian IDs get you nowhere. I repeat, nowhere.  You cannot cross into Israel, which means you cannot access the only airport out of the country.  Israel surrounds the West Bank, which means the access is cut-off. Unless Rafan gets special permission, she is not allowed to leave the West Bank.  

"Well damn..." I thought to myself as my hand cramped from writing.  My hand couldn't write fast enough and my brain couldn't fully appreciate the eloquence of her speech until a minute afterwards. It felt like a movie...

Old Askar Camp, Palestine

"Where would you like to go to do this?" I asked.  

"I've always wondered what New York was like.  I also dream about Paris.  I want to go to Disneyland as well, but for fun of course" Rafan smiled and said.

She seemed bold, so I countered with a more serious question, "Tell me about what you think of the occupation?  How has Israel's control of Palestine affected the State?"

This was the first time Rafan paused before she answered.  She looked at me, looked at the interpreter, then back at me.  I had a feeling whatever she was about to say was serious.  She spoke directly to me, knowing I don't know Arabic. She knew I could sense her passion.  

"Palestine has so much potential, so much greatness.  The occupation destroyed these things.  It destroyed my people, destroyed my Gaza, destroyed my dreams, destroyed my father (he was wounded in battle by an Israeli bullet), destroyed my hope, and most importantly destroyed my spirit.   The occupation killed every dream in our minds."  

No 15 year old I know can even comprehend war, let alone speak so articulately about it.  Then again, no 15 year old should have to endure war to begin with.  Make no mistake, Israel has imposed war-like conditions on Palestine.  Two days a week of running water, limited electricity, limited economy and most importantly, no access to the outside world.  

Walking along Old Askar Camp, Palestine

I asked Rafan what she thought of Palestine becoming a free country.  "I doubt I'll see this in my lifetime.  The messages of our people are being blocked from the outside world.  No one seems to know about our suffering" she said.  

If you're reading this post, this last question is directly for you.  "Rafan, you should know that Americans will read this interview.  What do you want to say to them?  What do you want them to know?"

She gave a Mona Lisa-esque smirk...  "I want them to know that the world must know about this occupation.  Children live in camps, live in this occupation.  Unfortunately, we cannot do this alone.  We need help, America's help.  Every child deserves rights... rights to live, to travel, to go to school, to live a normal life.  How come our children don't have these rights?  Tell them to stand with the children of Palestine- we're people too.  We have to work together, we can't do this alone."

Any messages you'd like to me to send Rafan I can do in the next 2 weeks.  I told her I would tell her story, and I would send her any comments or questions people had.