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“ Until this day, I think about how I carried this tiny child in my arms and ran in the corridors of the Shatila Camp, blindly searching for safety, when I was just 17.
We would run from one house to another, searching for safety, until there was no safe house in the camp.
After the war, I always carried within me a sense of sadness that I could not shake off. I was never able to forget the things I had seen, or even process them.”
My name is Jameela, I am 50 years old, and I live with my husband and six children in the Shatila Refugee Camp in Beirut. My youngest daughter is 12 and my oldest son is 32.
I was born in Ein El Helwe camp in Saida. My childhood was very nice, we grew up going to the beach, playing with the neighbourhood children, and going to amusement parks. I only finished school up to the third grade as my family could not afford to keep me in school.
It was only when I grew up that my life would take a drastic change to the worst. I fell in love with the neighbours’ son and got married when I was 15. My husband and I moved to Shatila camp right before War of the Camps during the Lebanese Civil War started in 1985.
I had my first child when I was 16 years old, just a few months before the war started. Until this day, I think about how I carried this tiny child in my arms and ran in the corridors of the Shatila Camp, blindly searching for safety, when I was just 17. It was me, my husband, my son, and five to six other families in one house, trying to stay quiet while the bombs and gunshots rained around us. We would run from one house to another, searching for safety, until there was no safe house in the camp.
Eventually, we found ourselves in a bomb shelter, where I stayed for 36 days. I fed my son biscuits I had dipped in water that I had gotten from a supermarket that later burnt down in an attack. Our time in the shelter was extremely difficult, as we did not have electricity or running water, but we somehow managed to keep each other busy, cooking and eating together and sharing stories. Eventually, we were allowed out of the bomb shelter, and we had to spend the next few years cleaning up and rebuilding. My husband was permanently injured during the war, but thankfully, he is strong enough to be able to work despite his injury. After the war, I always carried within me a sense of sadness that I could not shake off. I was never able to forget the things I had seen, or even process them.
“ The Intisar Foundation drama therapy programme reminded me of this part of me that loved living, having fun, and socializing. The women were telling me that they could always hear my light steps going up the stairs, because I was always so excited.”
I heard about the drama therapy sessions through my neighbour who joined the programme, and so we decided to go together and explore what it was about.
The sessions were a lot of fun, especially because we got to do a lot of physical activities which, I now know, is an important part of life, but I have never thought about it before. Being able to talk, play, run, and use our imagination took me back to my childhood. I was able to make friends and find people who I felt comfortable with. I felt was I was able to pour my heart out, as did all the other women. Even though they were my friends and neighbours, I got to know them on a deeper level. I felt like I had a second family.
There were questions and activities that made me cry, and the facilitator told me that crying would help. My son had an issue and I used to always feel upset about it. The programme helped me deal with that, and eventually I was able to find a solution for him. I felt better, and I looked forward to the sessions all week.
The singing and dancing was my favourite part, I always enjoyed a fun atmosphere, and I finally found it in these sessions. The Intisar Foundation drama therapy programme reminded me of this part of me that loved living, having fun, and socializing. The women were telling me that they could always hear my light steps going up the stairs, because I was always so excited.
I hope women who have experienced war, like me, learn the importance of being strong and adamant. Nothing in the world can hurt you unless you allow it. You have to face your problems head on. The drama therapy programme from Intisar Foundation helped me find my strength and regain my happiness.
“ I hope women who have experienced war, like me, learn the importance of being strong and adamant. Nothing in the world can hurt you unless you allow it. You have to face your problems head on. The drama therapy programme from Intisar Foundation helped me find my strength and regain my happiness.”
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