Mehdia Hassan’s Speech

 

        Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is an honor to be speaking to you tonight.

 

        My name is Mehdia Hassan and I am from Afghanistan.  This is my story.  When I was 2 years old my parents left Afghanistan with 6 children.  I was the youngest. We were going to Pakistan because there was war in our village We walked over the mountains to get to a safe place.  My dad carried me on his back tied with a cloth.  He remembers me kissing his neck and his back because I was very scared.

 

      When we first moved to the USA into our apartment we wanted to cook but we didn’t know where the salt was. My brother, Ehsan he knew a little English from Pakistan. He told me to go outside and say to whoever comes, “Salt, please.” I was 8 years old at that time.  I did what he said, “Salt, please.” But everybody was looking at me like I was crazy.  I came back into the apartment and my dad already found the salt in the cabinet.

 

        When I came to America I didn’t know anybody.  I was very alone but the students and the teachers at the International Community School made me  laugh, and they were friendly.

 

                      One time my teacher said we were going to snack.  I thought she said, “We’re going to snake.”  I was like maybe they said it wrong.  When I asked my teacher what snake meant she said, “Snack is eating a little bit.”

 

        In school I learn a lot.  One thing that surprised me was that millions and millions of years ago the land form known as Pangea separated, and created the continents.  I believe that if we live for millions of years maybe we could be all together again like ancient Pangea.

 

        At ICS you see people from 40 countries.  That’s why it’s named International Community School .  We all have to live together as a family, like I imagine Pangea in the future.  People who are poor and in trouble  think that tomorrow will be a better day, a new day.  That’s what I think.

 

        At ICS they teach you with love and courage.  If one person is new and doesn’t know English they will tell them “Good job.  You did excellent,” even if they’re wrong.

 

        Ms. Barbara was the first one who helped my family.  Sr. Patty and Mr. Moon, Ms. Santiago, Ms. Hamilton and all the other teachers, thank you for helping us with our problems.

 

        When I was little I wanted to be an engineer.  But now, when I see all of this war and all the people dying because of diseases and no medication I have decided to become a doctor, a neurologist, a doctor for brain, headache and all those things.  And I know my dream will come true.

 

        My dream for the world is to be peaceful.  Just do your business, do your job.  Don’t go in other countries and try to rule because it’s ruining the whole world and there’s no peace.

 

        I leave it to God for me to be successful.

      

       And I hope your dreams come true too.

 

        I want to thank the government of the United States who brought my family here and I appreciate your hospitality.

 

        Thank you all.  Thank you very much.

 

 

 

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