That day as the Kfirs were scanning through the air above our head, I thought we wouldn’t live.  We were all like no, it’s not for us.  We didn’t expect it to come and drop on our heads.  It was so unexpected, we weren’t prepared for it.  We woke up and we were doing our morning chores.  Brushing our teeth, washing our face, braiding our hair, and generally we were all really in high spirits, excited for the day’s activities to begin.  But what awaited us that day was not what we anticipated.

Even if our wounds heal in the years to come, the mental trauma, and the deeper wounds in our hearts will never heal.  We saw people die in front of us; we stood by vulnerably watching them die, unable to do anything.  When even our own lives were not in our hands, how are we to save the others’ lives.  As I ran, and crawled my way to safety, I saw endless rows of dead bodies.

As a result, we are not the only victims, our parents and friends have also become victims.  Now they live in constant fear of what will happen to us, and what will happen to them? And there is absolutely nothing to be done.  We’ve become completely dependent on others.  For the simplest thing we are dependent on others.  I come to school with my parents’ assistance, if not for their vigorous support I would still be at home dreading that day.  In spite of everything at the age of 19, I still look to my parents, and family to comb my hair, to take a bath, and ride a bike.

We never thought it would happen, not to us, not now.  I was supposed to take my AL (Grade 12) exam in 2007 but now I am in a grade lower.  So I will be taking my exam in 2008 because of my treatment, and recovery period, I missed a lot of classes.  And even after a year, there are still many who are unable to come to school due to internal and external wounds.

Something has to be done so the next generation doesnt’ end up like us.  Please do something, we believe that the world will be kind to us; we believe that they will do something.  So please stretch your helping hands out towards us.