Children’s corner: Egypt through the eyes of Children

some letters compiled by Ezz Eddin, a 27-year-old English language arts teacher for her new project called "Dear Egypt"

these thougtful letters are written by teenagers - thought you would enjoy reading them

Dear Egypt,

To you I give my heart, soul and life. I believe that I have the power to make you the best. My love and loyalty will never change. But I feel that you trapped me in a cage like a bird with ambition to bring you back to life. I've been chained once more in some jail under the earth with no one to hear me scream for help. I still held on and I never let the thought of making you great escape my mind.

I was running freely and now my steps will count. I will make them count.

Sincerely,

Mariam Raouf

13 Years Old



Dear Egypt,

I don't know why am I writing to you right now, but you're becoming more of a "diary" to me. Or let's say: a best friend that I crawl back to by the night of each day.

It's just another ordinary day. I'm on my way right now to class tucked up in a - as usual - red shirt. Yeah, I recently wear nothing but red and I match it either with white or black. You're taking over my mind.

I finally reach there. I notice a flag hooked up out of one of the neighboring balconies. That's the same time the teacher steps in, though. So I have to show some respect. If not by standing up, then definitely it's not by looking out of the window. I look his way but somehow a part of me is left outside with that flag and the lyrics, “They call me freedom, just like a waving flag," keep on reciting in my head a million times. Yet, I am happy about it.

The teacher, unexpectedly, asks us to stand up. We catch one another's gaze but we told what we're told. He says he has done this for the memory of the martyrs. We do what we are told, again. And each of us recites Quran or parts of the Bible. At this moment, we aren't Muslims or Christians. We are one. We are Egyptians. This is the thought that forces a smile to be drawn on my face. Not only mine, but everyone's in the place.

He then asks us to sit down and greets us for the facial expressions we have carried. He admits he has never felt this grace before. Maybe that's what I have felt a moment earlier and was incapable of describing.

He doesn't start his lesson now but goes on with a little speech about how amazing the revolution has been. He says he has seen people defending their houses but has never seen youth setting camps in the streets every night to protect their homes. He says he has seen people praying but has never seen Christians protecting Muslims during their prayers and the other way round, too. He says he has seen people making revolutions and setting the world on fire but has never seen people cleaning up the mess they've caused; due to the revolution they've already achieved its goals.

He says he is proud he has lived to witness this happening. He is proud to be an Egyptian. He also states that according to the Egyptian timing, it's time to brace ourselves for a difficult time ahead; for ourselves and our beloved country. You.

With love,

Naddah Hafez

17 years old



Dear Egypt,

Who could believe that one day the country of the Pyramids would arrive at where it is right now? Who could believe that the country of Sadat and ElBaradei the noblemen of peace would not have peace in it? Who could believe that the country of Naguib Mahfouz, the nobleman of literature and Zewail, the nobleman of chemistry, the first Arab to win the Nobel prize in science, would not have any school or university in the top 100 in the world rankings?

Who could believe that the country of the powerful Sphinx and the Pharaohs would be in the weakness it has reached? Who could believe that the country of 6th of October would take orders from other countries? Who could believe that to you “Egypt” would happen what happened on the 25 of January?

Who could believe that one day some people without conscience would rule you and harm people's dignity, so they could burst suddenly and start protesting for their civil rights?

Who could believe, who could believe…….I wish one day for you to come back to your glory, with your people in high spirits and have the best one of us rule you.

Sincerely,

Aly al-Rafei

14 years old