FROM DESPAIR TO INSPIRATION
A woman who turns her unhappy fate into motivation
I met my special person during my EVS - it does not take me long to think who this special person is. Dear reader, are you interested in our story? I promise you will not regret.
Welcome in France in 2013 when I start my EVS project in a center for asylum seekers. You can meet different people here, they seem like people like you and me and they have their life story. Maybe less happy then you and me, since they ran away from their countries to escape from torture, inhumanity and distress.
Allow me to introduce you to Adaleta. She might seem to you as a quiet and shy person, but this is my special person I want to tell you more about. She has no titles or diplomas to impress you, but you will be amazed by many other things I am going to uncover about her.
Adaleta always makes me ask myself questions about life and about my journey in this world. Three years older than me and she has already seen so many dark sides of this world. Did she even have time to grow up as I did? Or was she splashed with heavy waves of the ocean, too soon? Adaleta and her family come from the Bosniac minority living in Kosovo, but she does not feel really accepted there because of their origin. Not in Kosovo and also no longer in Bosnia. Her husband witnessed a murder at work and afterwords they were threathened by calls telling them to disappear and forget. Adaleta shares this with me with tears filling her eyes, but after a few minutes she continues her daily routine.
I will never stop to be astonished by her strong will to face every problem and to continue with hope. You would soon notice, that Adaleta is humble, tender, polite and honest. Behaves according to her values, not losing herself and her believes. I think you would like her traditional dress that she puts on, even she is the only one dressed differently in the center. To be different is totally okay, if it is who you are.
Adaleta and I are very similar. I am a Roma,which is the biggest minority in Europe. Minority marked with genocide and 500 years of slavery, often exposed to stereotypes and prejudice. 19 years of my 25 were a constant struggle to fight against people's stereotypes and prejudices. I was afraid to say that I am a Romani and I was not really myself. I have always dreamt to become a human rights lawyer and defend people in need. My parents used to tell me not to dream too much,because I am a Romani and that there are many people with prejudices and hate. I wanted to prove everyone wrong and look at me today, 3 years after my EVS – I am in my second grade of the best law school in my country.
It was particularly Adaleta who even made my passion to be who I want stronger and how important it is to be myself and live according to my values and belief. Adaleta has showed me that there is no such thing as to give up. Their asylum was rejected two times and we all knew what that means-they need to leave France. This young woman puts together all her strenght and continues to fight, not with guns, but with patience and hope. You would still see her in French class trying hard to learn French and she would still give me a smile and a warm word that she will never forget me.There is a new life growing inside of her. She is expecting a baby girl. Maybe she will give birth in the street without any help, that worries the most her young mind. This expectation is a new beginning, I believe a better beginning for her family. Her efforts paid off and they got finally a refugee status in France. Adaleta, you are very precious to me. I wrote a poem for you.
Where do we come from and where do we go?
Like leaves on a tree, we are moved-by the wind, you know
Sometimes we go against the way the river flows
To see your courage, makes my fear so low
I have seen your treasure, and it is not a crown made out of gold,
but you as my special person and this title you will forever hold