Warde, 47 years old, Syrian

Married, Mother of five

Homemaker and small business owner

“ I decided to join the Intisar Foundation drama therapy programme in order to make some changes in my routine. At first, the programme felt like a fun, entertaining activity to do with a group of nice women, but as we progressed, I noticed that my confidence was growing.”

 

My name is Warde. I am 47 years old. I am originally Syrian but I have been living in Lebanon since I was 19. I relocated here when I married my husband who is Palestinian. Together, we have five children and live in Shatila Refugee Camp in Beirut.

I studied until  6th grade. I have worked small odd jobs on occasion, but I recently started a small business with my cousin where we prepare after school snacks for children and sell them on a car in the camp. It does not generate a lot of money, but it is a nice way to stay productive and I hope to expand and grow with time.

I have been through many challenges in my life, but I have always faced them with strong faith in my heart that, no matter what happens, I can always overcome them.

The worst day of my life was when I found out that my nephew had died during the war in Syria. I was in Lebanon and unable to reach my sister or family to comfort them and grief with them. I was beyond shattered. I spent two weeks completely unable to speak with anyone or do anything, until my sister, his mother, intervened and spoke to me.

“I had always felt like my emotions and thoughts were too complicated and my words never served me, but in this drama therapy, I was able to express myself and understand others even without words.”

I decided to join the Intisar Foundation drama therapy programme in order to make some changes in my routine. At first, the programme felt like a fun, entertaining activity to do with a group of nice women, but as we progressed, I noticed that my confidence was growing.

During the sessions, we knew that there were no restrictions and that we were allowed to talk and express ourselves freely. In my life, I had always felt like my emotions and thoughts were too complicated and my words never served me, but in this drama therapy, I was able to express myself and understand others even without words. Our facial expressions and movements did all the talking.

At some point in my life, I forgot that I was a human being and that I owed it to myself to treat myself with the same warmth and care that I have always shown to others. I’ve always been a giver who cared more about helping others than thinking about oneself. I gradually understood that taking time to refuel my energies is not being selfish. Even if the work isn’t finished, I can take breaks if I’m tired. Today, I don’t feel guilty about prioritising my own needs. I won’t overlook or disregard my own needs anymore.

Since then, I have been trying not to allow my own emotional burdens to affect my family and children. I find that emotions are complex and are changing and that I should not define myself as a happy or depressed person, rather a person who experiences life with its ups and downs. I am open to the world as it comes along. I take every day as it comes.

I hope all women who go through hardships can realise that faith and a strong mindset can help you through anything. We can look at history and all the difficulties people have experienced and be inspired by their strength to carry on and thrive. We do not have to do it alone – a supportive programme like Intisar Foundation’s drama therapy groups can help us through these times.

“At some point in my life, I forgot that I was a human being and that I owed it to myself to treat myself with the same warmth and care that I have always shown to others. I gradually understood that taking time to refuel my energies is not being selfish. Even if the work isn’t finished, I can take breaks if I’m tired. Today, I don’t feel guilty about prioritising my own needs. I won’t overlook or disregard my own needs anymore.”