We all have wings. Few people realize their wings, even less fly. This program showed that I had wings and that I was able to soar.

I look at my recent years as the person I was before the program and the person I was after. I was taken from the darkness and brought into the light. I have forged lifelong friendships with people all over the globe. I learned compassion and empathy, not just for others but for myself. I grew the confidence and ambition to dream. It was a place where I didn’t have to wear a mask or pretend to be someone I wasn’t, I was just me. A feeling that I have seldom felt.

This experience has taught me the importance of the essence of coming together and how when forming a community we can cherish the dignity of others and the importance of praising our dignity without feeling that we’re overshadowing other individuals. During the summer of 2023, I participated in the US in a program where International participants who lost someone came together for a journey of healing. This experience taught me that having a sense of belonging to a group is a healing tool. Having the opportunity to meet someone different from you yet shares the same pain as you and understands you, fuels you with empowerment and makes you understand that you're not on your own. These are methods of planting seeds breaking transgenerational traumas and making a brighter future.

Participating in this peace program for youth impacted by terrorism was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made. I lost my father on 9/11 when I was five years old, and growing up I struggled to grapple with the political (along with the personal) implications of the attacks. Joining this incredible community as a teenager allowed me to relate to other peers who had experienced similar tragedies while exploring how we can work together to make the world a better place.

Participating in this youth program was a life-changing experience for me. In my first year, I quietly observed, but the stories of strength and resilience I heard from others around the world gave me the courage to finally speak about my own loss in the second year. Engaging in activities like drama, art, and peacebuilding helped me process my emotions and connect deeply with peers who understood my story. This program was more than an opportunity for fun and friendship; it was a safe space that empowered me to confront my grief and inspired me to bring positive change to my community.

This program has always been a home where I am welcome to share my story and feel safe. The program has made me who I am now, it has brought back the real me that was stolen some years back. It has made me realize that I am not alone and that life never stops, as I thought, but continues every second.

This program helps us with finding people who understand what we went through and what we are still going through. Being in a place with a bunch of likeminded people is a blessing in an otherwise lonely world for kids like us. It helps us all understand, process and learn how to deal with our feelings.

I am 16 years old. My dad passed away in 2015 when I was just 6 years old while being in the military. This program has a unique instant connection with everyone full of sharing, comfort, and love. The environment is just incredible, it's indescribable. I learned so much about everyone’s cultures. It’s truly amazing we have the chance to share our cultures with one another. It’s a safe space. This program taught me to be a better person. And to put my feelings into Art, Dance, and even through Music. I had the best time and I took home everything I learned. There are a lot of takeaways in the program. I wish I could have the type of environment, energy vibes, and even love at home I had while I was attending.

This experience has been nothing short of transformative, a journey that has led me to discover facets of myself that were previously unknown. Through the days spent with fellow impacted friends, I have come to a deeper understanding of who I am, forging an identity that feels authentic and uniquely my own. One of the most powerful lessons I've learned is the importance of embracing peace as a guiding principle in life and that PEACE is a daily manner. I've realized that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but rather a conscious choice to foster an environment where everyone can be comfortable in their own mindset, beliefs, and traditions. It transcends borders and unites us all in our shared humanity.