Munira Nurbhai, Grade 11
UWCEA Arusha Campus
What comes to mind when you hear the word hero? Spiderman who hasn't stopped trying to get rid of the world’s bad guys with his toxic web-shooters, Superman who has saved a lot of lives with his special powers, Iron Man who sacrificed his own life to save the universe in Avengers, or Mamoudou Gassama who saved a 4-year-old boy dangling from an apartment building.
These are all ideal, stereotypical heroes. But if you were to ask me who are my heroes, I would say my homies, my best friends, my soulmates. Superheroes who have supported me throughout my journey, who have left an impact in my life unknowingly, and changed my life in ways I would have never imagined.
All my life I had been bullied at school.
Fat shamed- check.
Cat called- check.
Shoved and pushed- check
Locked in a washroom- double check
Barely surviving primary I knew I could not go along with this torture anymore. By changing schools I escaped from the bullying and torments but not the voice in my head defying me at every turn. These negative thoughts making me hate myself and everyone around me eventually leading me to isolate myself and from everyone I love.
Even starting high school, I didn’t have any friends.
Approaching new people when you are surrounded by your demons only makes this whole experience ten times more difficult than it actually is while that small tiny voice in your head is always whispering, “you don’t belong here, these people don’t like you… Leave!”
Day after day and weeks after weeks, I found myself sitting in an empty classroom every time during recess fighting my own demons… when one day a small petite girl, (we’ll call her Sam) approached me, sat by my side, and just smiled. We didn't talk but her presence was so comforting.
That was the first time I was able to focus on things around me. The trees swaying side by side, birds chirping, and a slight smell of the ocean. I enjoyed staring out of the window to find myself looking at nature and not just complete darkness.
The next day, and the next and next, she always came and sat beside me. Opened her lunchbox quietly and ate. She didn't utter a single word and left once she heard the bell. One day I asked her why she used to come and sit beside me every day and not say a single word. Her response was, “I was waiting for you to get comfortable with my presence so you won’t feel scared to talk to me anymore, and see I succeeded”. She made me realize people can be patient and kind.
The next day when I entered the school, I had a whole new perspective on life. It was like I had finally switched on the light to my darkness. A smile on my face had reappeared.
As I approached the classroom door, it was all rainbows and sunshine. I finally approached a group of friends I really admired. They welcomed me with open arms and my fairytale dream of having a sisterhood was finally fulfilled. I remember opening up to them about my past, bullying, and inner demons the same exact day because I finally felt comfortable enough. They listened and listened until tears stopped falling and silence filled the room.
As Steve Maraboli said, “Sometimes we need someone to just listen. Not to try and fix anything or offer alternatives, but to just be there… to listen. An ear that listens can be medicine for a heart that hurts. That, someone, which was a group of strangers is now my family, my cure to the pain and misery, and light to my darkness.
3 years in, I just graduated from secondary school. Warm hugs embrace me as I read the acceptance email from UWC. And yes that exact group of strangers whom I was scared to approach is now celebrating with me. So yes, don’t be afraid to do things that scare you (a lesson I learned quite late)… as it might be the doorway to your happiness.
Moreover, they taught me how to trust, how to accept loving, how to be bold and to believe in myself. But most importantly how to love me and set myself free.
All the uncontrollable laughter, endless streams of tears, and the most stupid arguments, (one of them being who came first a chicken or the egg), have shaped me to be the person I am today.
My superwomen are the reason why I am now able to show the public my photography and graphic-designed products. I am now able to stand up for myself as well as for anyone who is being wronged. Moreover, I am confident enough to get out of my comfort zone and participate in various clubs and activities while also being able to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.
They are the building pillars of the empire I have built today that no tsunami or earthquake will break down.
At UWC I won’t let my shyness be an obstacle to getting to know new people from diverse backgrounds. My participation in different clubs and organizations will enable me to bring my creativity and ability to innovate to the many clubs and activities offered at UWC while not backing down from new experiences. Opening myself up to making new memories and long-lasting friendships.
UWC will enable me to surround myself with a community that is inclusive and diverse in its thoughts, cultures, and ideas. I will have the opportunity to both academically and socially push my boundaries and learn to embrace myself I have never had a chance to explore as well as to not only appreciate my culture but celebrate others.
Although I never saw Sam again, I'm sure she is somewhere making a difference in someone else’s life.
Image Courtesy: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/friends-are-always-forever-in-2022--41376890322847124/
These are all ideal, stereotypical heroes. But if you were to ask me who are my heroes, I would say my homies, my best friends, my soulmates. Superheroes who have supported me throughout my journey, who have left an impact in my life unknowingly, and changed my life in ways I would have never imagined.
All my life I had been bullied at school.
Fat shamed- check.
Cat called- check.
Shoved and pushed- check
Locked in a washroom- double check
Barely surviving primary I knew I could not go along with this torture anymore. By changing schools I escaped from the bullying and torments but not the voice in my head defying me at every turn. These negative thoughts making me hate myself and everyone around me eventually leading me to isolate myself and from everyone I love.
Even starting high school, I didn’t have any friends.
Approaching new people when you are surrounded by your demons only makes this whole experience ten times more difficult than it actually is while that small tiny voice in your head is always whispering, “you don’t belong here, these people don’t like you… Leave!”
Day after day and weeks after weeks, I found myself sitting in an empty classroom every time during recess fighting my own demons… when one day a small petite girl, (we’ll call her Sam) approached me, sat by my side, and just smiled. We didn't talk but her presence was so comforting.
That was the first time I was able to focus on things around me. The trees swaying side by side, birds chirping, and a slight smell of the ocean. I enjoyed staring out of the window to find myself looking at nature and not just complete darkness.
The next day, and the next and next, she always came and sat beside me. Opened her lunchbox quietly and ate. She didn't utter a single word and left once she heard the bell. One day I asked her why she used to come and sit beside me every day and not say a single word. Her response was, “I was waiting for you to get comfortable with my presence so you won’t feel scared to talk to me anymore, and see I succeeded”. She made me realize people can be patient and kind.
The next day when I entered the school, I had a whole new perspective on life. It was like I had finally switched on the light to my darkness. A smile on my face had reappeared.
As I approached the classroom door, it was all rainbows and sunshine. I finally approached a group of friends I really admired. They welcomed me with open arms and my fairytale dream of having a sisterhood was finally fulfilled. I remember opening up to them about my past, bullying, and inner demons the same exact day because I finally felt comfortable enough. They listened and listened until tears stopped falling and silence filled the room.
As Steve Maraboli said, “Sometimes we need someone to just listen. Not to try and fix anything or offer alternatives, but to just be there… to listen. An ear that listens can be medicine for a heart that hurts. That, someone, which was a group of strangers is now my family, my cure to the pain and misery, and light to my darkness.
3 years in, I just graduated from secondary school. Warm hugs embrace me as I read the acceptance email from UWC. And yes that exact group of strangers whom I was scared to approach is now celebrating with me. So yes, don’t be afraid to do things that scare you (a lesson I learned quite late)… as it might be the doorway to your happiness.
Moreover, they taught me how to trust, how to accept loving, how to be bold and to believe in myself. But most importantly how to love me and set myself free.
All the uncontrollable laughter, endless streams of tears, and the most stupid arguments, (one of them being who came first a chicken or the egg), have shaped me to be the person I am today.
My superwomen are the reason why I am now able to show the public my photography and graphic-designed products. I am now able to stand up for myself as well as for anyone who is being wronged. Moreover, I am confident enough to get out of my comfort zone and participate in various clubs and activities while also being able to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.
They are the building pillars of the empire I have built today that no tsunami or earthquake will break down.
At UWC I won’t let my shyness be an obstacle to getting to know new people from diverse backgrounds. My participation in different clubs and organizations will enable me to bring my creativity and ability to innovate to the many clubs and activities offered at UWC while not backing down from new experiences. Opening myself up to making new memories and long-lasting friendships.
UWC will enable me to surround myself with a community that is inclusive and diverse in its thoughts, cultures, and ideas. I will have the opportunity to both academically and socially push my boundaries and learn to embrace myself I have never had a chance to explore as well as to not only appreciate my culture but celebrate others.
Although I never saw Sam again, I'm sure she is somewhere making a difference in someone else’s life.
Image Courtesy: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/friends-are-always-forever-in-2022--41376890322847124/
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