The theme for TEDxExeter this year was “HOPE”. At a time when Trump runs the most powerful country in the world, the refugee crisis is rife, Brexit shocked the country and suicide bombs have become everyday news, it is no wonder that in current times, “hope” can sometimes feel far from reach.
Of course, everyone has problems, big and small and those shouldn’t be belittled. However, when a young Syrian girl in a wheelchair is pushed on to the famous TEDx red spot, I could not help but think of one word. At this point it was not “hope” because her talk had not yet begun, it was “perspective”. I was sure that what I was about to hear was going to get me thinking hard.
Nujeen had not said a word yet, but the whole Northcott Auditorium was silent. I am sure Nujeen was not even aware that she had captured the audience in an instant, just with her presence. She then told us her incredible story – of how as a young refugee with cerebral palsy, she had made the treacherous journey from Aleppo in one of those same rubber dinghy boats that we now see on the news so regularly.
Whilst in Syria, Nujeen never went to school, so taught herself English by watching soaps, TV shows like MasterChef and history programmes. Yet, Nujeen spoke to a packed auditorium about her life so eloquently and with such confidence, she was more than a match for any of the other speakers there that day. For someone who only started going to school at age 17, it was impossible not to be impressed by her and her use of language. She used rhetoric with ease, used irony and humour wonderfully and spoke to the audience as if we were individuals – “I just want your shelter”, she said.
It was humbling to watch Nujeen speak and her story is something you and I can only imagine but for her, it is real life and real experience. We all get caught up in our busy daily lives and sometimes we feel worn down and negative. However, Nujeen was not bitter or angry. She has accepted the card she was dealt, but used all her courage and hope to make a better life for herself and is now absolutely making the most of that life. She didn’t preach or seek sympathy, but smiled as she spoke and in a tongue in cheek way, commented how “British food does not look like it does on MasterChef!”
I found her to be a very normal, understated person but with the enormous skill of being able to hold the attention of a whole auditorium of people – business owners, members of the public, lecturers and sponsors alike. She was not phased by any of it and added to that, she wasn’t even speaking in her first language.
Despite having the troubling life experience of someone far beyond her years, Nujeen is now living a safer, more fulfilling and happier life in Europe. She is an intelligent and determined young girl and told us how she did not want to be a “number”. Hopefully now she has used her hope and strength to better herself, she does not feel that any longer.
Nujeen received the first major standing ovation of the day and was gracious when the prolonged applause filled the room. It was a pleasure to watch her present and when we were asked to write a blog on one of the talks from the day, I knew this was the one. During the breaks between talks, Nujeen had a queue of people waiting to speak with her. She spoke in English to the TED attendees and then flipped immediately to her native language to explain her conversation to the people, possibly family, who accompanied her, being sure that nobody was left out. I managed to get this photograph of us in the sunshine outside the Northcott.
Without knowing it, Nujeen inspired me to write this article about her. She is the definition of someone with “hope” and someone who has never lost hope, epitomising the theme of the day in the short 15 minutes of her talk. Please take a few minutes to watch it.
TEDxExeter is all about being inspired, sharing new ideas and discussing how we can make a positive impact on our local communities. At Stephens Scown we like to keep our eyes, ears and minds open to new ideas and we have gained so much from our involvement in TEDxExeter. We are proud to be sponsors for the 3rd year.