This is the story of Hajar - a young woman with Palestinian and Lebanese parents - who understands that her people are woven together - not just by ideologies or politics or even the yearning for a safe homeland but by their stories. The stories of their humanity, eccentricities, intimacy and tenderness. Stories that are embroidered into every part of their lives.

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Can standing on a rooftop in a refugee camp be the starting point of a journey toward empowerment and change? This episode of "Migrant Odyssey" features Manal, a dedicated social worker and the founder of the Kayani Foundation, that support Palestinian women and girls through the values of family. She takes us through the harrowing history of her family, the struggles of her parents, and the poignant memories of her grandmother, whose stories and a cherished memento profoundly shaped her path.

Beyond personal anecdotes, we confront the harsh realities faced by Palestinian refugees in Lebanese schools. Manal recounts her own experiences of racism and systemic barriers that hinder educational and professional aspirations. The rigid curriculum, internal violence, and flawed educational systems paint a stark picture of the obstacles that students encounter daily. Through Manal's narrative, we see the disparity between the immense potential of these students and the limited opportunities available to them, driving home the pervasive sense of hopelessness that many feel.

Lastly, we explore the complexities of Palestinian identity and the emotional weight of statelessness. Manal shares her passion for outdoor activities and discusses her impactful work in mental health, child protection, and capacity building within refugee camps. The conversation also emphasizes gender equality initiatives and the resistance faced when promoting sensitive issues like feminism. Highlighting the necessity of involving men and boys in this fight, Manal's work underscores a broader commitment to fostering respect and healthy family dynamics, striving for equal opportunities and continuous support for the Palestinian community.

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Life on the West Bank is upside down for Palestinians. They have little of rights on their land that they have lived on for centuries. The towns that they do live in cannot grow because they are being strangled by encroaching Israeli settlements. East Jerusalem, internationally designated as the Palestinian capital - is not. A journey that should take minutes takes hours and hours. The places where the are supposed to be safe - are not.

It is, says today's guest Firas, like Maqluba - the beloved Palestinian upside down dish. Except it isn't. Unlike Maqluba,living on the West Bank is neither tasty nor beloved.

This episode is co-hosted by Zoya (our half Palestinian half Ukrainian guest from episode 9) who brings her compassion, with and experience of, the Palestinian tragedy to a thoughtful discussion that ranges from Firas' personal story to questions of decolonizing minds and managing conflict where laws and governance do not apply. And it ends - as so many of our stories do - with the ties of the heart: those profound emotional bonds that define what it means to truly belong "with" a place and its people.

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This episode is extraordinary not just because Tareq - a young man from Gaza - has an extraordinary story to tell, but because as he tells it , one can hear each stage of his life unfiltered. He is able to express what Tareq the child felt long before his adult self understood the years' long blockade -seige- under which his city lived. And when we hear his story of when he first had to go to Jerusalem, we hear the shock of his treatment - as if it were happening to him today. Tareq more than tells his story, he relives it. And so will you.

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Imagine navigating the complex layers of survivor's guilt while fostering a beacon of innovation amidst the ricochet of conflict. Join us as we welcome Rowan, a resilient Palestinian businesswoman and engineer from the West Bank, who shares an intimate portrayal of life under occupation. Her vivid narratives reveal the deep cultural and spiritual significance of Ramadan, the ingenuity required to thrive as an entrepreneur in the Middle East, and the unwavering commitment to humanity that defines the Palestinian spirit. The tapestry of her story is woven with threads of hope and the stark realities of living amidst ongoing strife in Gaza.

The echoes of trauma reverberate through generations, shaping lives in ways that often remain hidden. This episode peels back the veil on the psychological impacts of continuous trauma as Rowan and I explore how Palestinians have normalized violence to the point of fearlessness. We delve into the challenges of mental health in conflict zones, sharing personal anecdotes that illustrate the complexity of seeking support in an environment where trauma is part of the everyday fabric of life. Through Rowan's eyes, we grasp the generational transmission of pain and perseverance, and understand the silent burdens carried within families.

Rowan's journey embodies the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial grit that can emerge from the most challenging circumstances. From her early education to launching her startup, Amal, aimed at revolutionizing the construction industry, Rowan's experiences highlight the economic and professional hurdles faced by Palestinians. The candid recount of her startup's evolution, from a simple Google Forms setup to a service impacting thousands, ultimately reflects the broader landscape of opportunity and growth in a region hungry for change. Her narrative not only captivates but also inspires, shining a light on the indomitable human spirit that persists in the wake of adversity.

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Stellah Nikuze is the daughter of Rwanda genocide survivors. Born and brought up in the Kyaka 11 refugee camps in Uganda, she has emerged as a fierce advocate of refugees and the voiceless.
Educated in classrooms with more than 100 children per teacher, she co-founded the Hodari Foundation which focuses on feeding, skilling and healing traumatised children in Uganda.. Now at university in Canada, Stellah turned that fierceness into working with the UN and other world bodies to fight for the rights of refugees wherever they are .
Refugees, she reminds us, are punished twice: first by the warring factions that drive them away from their homes. And then by the host countries who will not let them work and integrate in their new societies.

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This is the story of Sofia - a Ukrainian refugee now living in Berlin. After living in Israel , she and her Israel husband went back to Ukraine a few months before the war with Russia in 2022, to be with her mother and grandmother.All too quickly she found her life turned upside down.
This holder of a masters degree in international economics now works as a cleaner in Berlin and tells her story to Stephen Barden, with pain, with humour and fearsome grit.

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Refugees seek refuge and shelter. Safety from being brutalised, from the trauma of witnessing and experiencing acts of terror and horror. But also a haven where they can retrieve their sense of humanity and self worth, without being spat on for their religion, skin colour or "foreign" accent in their new homes.

Our guest today is Susanne Höhne, trauma therapist and psychologist specialising in treating women refugees. She tells Stephen Barden that trauma work is rarely successful unless the patient is now in a safe place. And that is why her workplace - the wonderful Zentrum Überleben (the Survival Centre) in Berlin Germany - tries to make sure that all its patients find true refuge and integration in their new countries, at work, at home and in society.

The stories she tells are not just stories of horror but of healing and determination as well. They also reflect the matter-of-fact strength of Susanne herself, who has spent nearly two decades making sure her clients survive their survival and then to thrive in it.

If you'd like to support, or be helped by, the center please go to their site, which is both in English and German. The address is https://www.ueberleben.org/en/home-en/
Zentrum ÜBERLEBEN
Tel.: +49 (0) 30 30 39 06 -0
Fax: +49 (0) 30 30 61 43 71

E-Mail: mail@ueberleben.org

Or take a look at similar organizations in your country, your city or your town and see where you can help or be helped.

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