#MySacredStory: Leen AlJoudi Alhusni, Syria
LEEN ALJOUDI ALHUSNI
Syria
Caux Scholars Program Alumni 2018
My name is Leen AlJoudi Alhusni. I am reminded of an identity exercise from the Caux Scholars Program called “Who am I?” CSP is a part of my deepest thoughts and emotions now. Each learning guides me in my daily actions, gives me strength and resilience and reminds me of who I am.
Before Caux Scholars, I would have answered this question as follows: “I am Syrian, female, 24 years old, Muslim but do not wear a hijab. I am a Business Administration graduate, a law student, and a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer with International Medical Corps.”
“How do I answer this question now? “I am Leen. I love law so much that I want to become a refugee lawyer. I live in a beautiful country where I get to work with people of different vulnerabilities. This work makes my life worthwhile. I have high expectations - I am ambitious, hardworking, and I love my job. Last but not least, I am a peacebuilder in the making”.”
This change in my self-introduction is a glimpse of the change I experienced in my life after completion of CSP. The Caux Scholars Program has helped me to look into the deepest part of my conscience, to grow, and accept myself. I have learned to look at things from a different perspective. Thinking about what I do, what I want to do and what I can do has become part of my daily life now. I do know all these answers. However, I do not know if these answers are because I am doing good things in my life, or because CSP helped me to see the good in all things. I accept it all today as a blessing, which has brought peace in my life. During this exciting and challenging journey of finding my inner peace, I happened to find so many other surprises along the way. I gained confidence in representing my country, its struggles, as well as confronting and challenging my own weaknesses.
“I am not miserable because I live in a war zone. I am strong because I have learned to survive in a conflict-intense area. Furthermore, I am an active member in resolving these conflicts. I am helping to relieve the sufferings of marginalized people. This is not an unfortunate circumstance - it is a humble beginning, and an honorable endeavor. ”
After finishing my course with the Caux Scholars Program, I started contemplating on how to take this learning further ahead in my work. How do I spread this inner peace wherever I go and to people who need it just as much as I do? I started by joining a peacebuilding group in Damascus and I was able to impart three most powerful and impactful exercises I learned during CSP: the power exercise, the communication exercise, and most importantly, the identity exercise. The participants’ feedback not only motivated me but also made me feel connected to them on a deeper level.
My peers in the circle have also facilitated peace exercises they learned from their respective agencies, and this learning environment we are sharing has been an invaluable experience. I am happy with the progress and information sharing that has happened so far, and I am sure it will not stop here. My goal for the future is to practice these exercises with vulnerable communities to help actualize inner peace. In Syria, there are some political and donor restrictions regarding this issue. Therefore, until now I have not been able to provide any peace-related support through the humanitarian agency I am currently working with.
“However, this does not dampen my spirits. I will do everything in my power to help my country to achieve peace, collectively and internally. The Caux Scholars Program has taught me that care providers need to take care of themselves while in the process of helping others, and I am determined to persistently recharge my motivation and peace, with each year, amplifying the strength I have gained and sharing it with my communities.”
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