I transformed my deepest pain into my greatest purpose
Age four
When I was four years old, my mother was killed by a drug addict in an attempt to steal her jewelry and satisfy his addiction. Working as a professional in the field of drugs prevention gave me the opportunity to support and empower the youth in the MENA region to avoid engaging to drug abuse and other risky behaviors. Now I am able to develop materials that include real learning objectives, key messages and empower life skills and not solely provide theories that most of the times young people tend to ignore and has little to no effect on them. My life’s work, my aim, my mission is to make an impact on people’s lives.
Spending My Childhood in Boarding Schools
I’ve spent most of my childhood, from the age of five to twelve, in two Boarding schools between France and Lebanon. I remember feeling very angry and sad because I wasn’t like every other child. I felt I was different in a negative way which made me even more angry and sad. I was not able to see my family, I had just lost my mother and I was not receiving the emotional care I needed at the time. As time went by, I started to like the students there and realized that I had a lot of things to learn. Gradually I started turning my disadvantage into an advantage and today I can safely say that the worst thing that ever happened in my life turned out to be the beginning of a unique life path that resulted to the person I am today.
Working from a Young Age
Summers for me consisted of juggling multiple jobs. At the age of ten, I started working with my father at construction sites. Together with this job I also worked at a printing house, as a waiter, and a lifeguard. This time was also hard for me as a kid. It took me a few years to realize that despite the lack of play, I was acquiring life skills such as responsibility and commitment that I carry throughout my life. At the age of 23 I joined the Humanitarian field as a field worker. Also, at the age of 19 I started my Bachelor’s degree in Law and at the age of 26 my Master’s degree in Planning and Management.
Starting My Volunteering Experience
Around the age of 16, I was struggling a lot. I was suffering from serious family issues, I was not able to talk to anyone about what was going on and how I was feeling so I started smoking and joined the “bad boys”. In an attempt to escape from my reality, I gave volunteering a shot and it transformed my life. The Red Cross was my turning point. That environment inspired me, helped me put life skills in practice and realized my potential. That environment taught me how to take everything, good or bad, and transform it into a chance. I started as a member and quickly rose through the posts from head of center to the national supervisor of the youth sector’s programs.
Delivering an Unintentional Motivational Speech
I shared my story for the first time at my farewell speech as the head of my center at the Lebanese Red Cross. It left my colleagues speechless, motivated them and inspired me to talk more. Shorter after, I received several invitations to have inspirational talks and had the honor to share my success story with several groups.
Landing My First Job in the Humanitarian Field
After spending more than 100 hours per week barely getting any sleep on studying, working two full-time jobs, attending English courses and volunteering, I managed to land my first position in the humanitarian field as a field worker.
Expanding the Horizon with Entrepreneurship
My entrepreneurship journey started by Co-founding and establishing PHOEMX, a creative ecosystem built on three pillars: Leoceros, Doloctopus, and Antrabit. Focusing on my goals was what kept me going despite the numerous roadblocks along the way. My motivation is the act of creating new things like a mother creating life. Now I see no barriers. If anyone can do something, I can do it. I wanted and was given a chance in my life. Now I have the power to empower others so to create their own life journey. My mission is to give people the opportunity to see their skills and own their potential. This is the way I chose to make a change in our Arab world.
