(indistinct chatter) (soft music) (knocks) (knocks) (baby crying) (knocks) (shrieking) (knocks) - Yes!

- Hi sir!

Did you think about it?

Would you open the door?

You were here just a half an hour ago!

For the girls'’ sake, we might be helpful.

As I already told you, how would reading be good for her?

She'’s staying at home washing dishes, cooking and helping her mother.

Sooner or later she'’ll get married and a burden is off my shoulders.

(somber music) Fadi!

Whenever you talk to me, you upset me!

Why?

"Yeah", "go away", goodbye", I feel like I'’m a beggar.

No.

I told you...

It'’s necessary for... To experience the worst household you might encounter.

You'’ll be dealing with people... You'’ll be dealing with parents, the girls'’ parents.

Okay, that'’s what I'’m saying.

You'’ll meet very nice people... At the same time, you'’ll meet rude people.

Sometimes one parent agrees while the other refuses.

(soft music) (woman speaking on a laptop) Tamara!

Tamara!

(child babbling) Shall I open the door for you?

Fadi, can you get us some food from the market?

- Yes, sure.

- Okay?

Will anyone interview me?

Should I tell her my story?

- Or what exactly?

- Yes, your story.

Okay, whenever you'’re ready.

Once you are ready, tell us who Asmaa is.

(somber music) Today, I want to tell you the story of a girl... She'’s about your age now, 11 years old.

This girl lived in a village.

When you say village, it'’s like paradise.

It'’s very green and full of flowers.

(soft music) When a girl turns 14 in this village, it means it'’s time to get married.

This girl didn'’t have this idea in mind.

Especially because she was very shy and even withdrawn.

She asked for only one thing, and they listened.

"Can I keep going to school?"

They accepted.

(soft music) After a month of marriage, she thought that one month was enough.

I should go back to school.

She told her husband that it was time to go back to school.

Every day he answered with "okay, we'’ll see".

She was counting every passing day.

She found out that her family had decided not to send her back to school.

She said, "why didn'’t you tell me this in the first place?"

"I don'’t want marriage, only school."

Then she felt like it was over for her.

She couldn'’t make decisions of her own.

(somber music) Maya, come on let'’s go get the girl'’s signatures before Dad comes home.

Listen, let me call him.

I don'’t want him to get upset that we went out without telling him.

Put on your shoes while I call him.

Hello?

Peace be upon you Fadi.

How are you doing?

Listen, how much time do you need?

Around an hour?

Okay, I will go to visit the girls to see if they agree to come to my reading sessions and come back.

It will take around 45 minutes.

I won'’t be late.

Food?

Yes, there are leftovers from yesterday.

Okay, good bye.

May God be with you.

(soft music) Unfortunately it'’s hot today, Maya.

You should put on a hat or you'’re good?

You'’re good, right?

- Should I wear a face mask?

- No, no need for you.

(soft music) Don'’t knock on the door, I'’ll do it!

First let'’s push aside the door.

Slowly... slowly.

(soft music) (knocks) Is your mother here?

Hi.

- Where'’s mom?

- She'’s inside.

Call her.

- Hi.

- Hi.

(knocks) - Om Sabah?

- Come on in!

- Hi.

- Hi.

(knocks) Come here.

- Come in!

- Sabah?!

- Come in!

- Hello!

- Hello!

- How are you?

- Good.

Listen, I'’m launching a project called "Let'’s Read".

It involves young girls between 11 and 16 years.

It'’s called "Let'’s Read".

I'’m trying to encourage girls to read short stories.

To read instead of staying glued to the mobile phone or sitting without doing anything.

There are no schools at the moment and they are not leaving their homes.

Would you show your daughter the book and see what she thinks?

She will be reading for the first time, right?

Currently she will not...

It'’s not her first time but... Don'’t be worried and say, "I'’m not educated and have never read a book ..." No, that'’s what I'’m looking for, okay?

Because you'’ll learn how to do it with me.

Hopefully.

It'’s an opportunity for her before she gets married.

- How old is she?

- 16 Listen, by the way, one of its chapters talks about marriage.

How to deal with it if you get married earlier than you should.

How you would deal with people... How to maturely interact with the people you'’re going to live with.

Would you let her enroll in my reading aloud sessions?

I hope you agree!

Here... Yamama... No, sorry, Yamama...Fares... (soft music) I hope our mission will not be in vain and they agree to enroll the girl.

Good girl.

(chanting over loudspeaker) Did I mention in the story what Sama'’s husband looks like?

You think he'’s a mean guy because he married her when she was young, right?

But he was the opposite by the way.

If you think through it... maybe he was also forced by his parents.

Maya, you can draw some girls her own age bullying her.

She looks angry.

She always looked upset.

It'’s hard to feel like nobody cares about you.

But she'’s happy while reading, okay?

She used to read, as we said, on the rooftop on the worn-out couch, right?

(soft music) - Asmaa?

- Yes?

Where are the cups of coffee?

You'’re making coffee, so do everything.

Okay, no problem.

You need to help me.

We should finish quickly because today I have a session with the girls, okay?

- What time?

- After 12 O'’clock After 12 you'’re at risk, you should leave the house.

Fadi, take care of Hamoudeh, please.

Try to hang out with him for just one hour.

Why you didn'’t tell me yesterday about it?

- I don'’t know... - I would help you!

I don'’t want any help, it'’s my own project.

I know, but if you faced any problems... Two opinions are better than one.

I don'’t know why I feel comfortable, not afraid or worried.

How many girls are we expecting?

I have 14 or 15 names, but you can'’t guarantee it.

You know how people are...

When it gets serious, they change their mind.

(water running) (scrubbing hands) (soft, somber music) (clock ticking) (bright music) (soft music) Now, I will introduce myself to you.

My name is Asmaa Jamal Rashed.

I'’m married with four kids.

3 girls that wear me out and a boy who has given me grey hair.

I'’m 28 years old, and have been married for about 13 years.

I like reading and writing.

Can you imagine that?

I don'’t have degrees because I'’ve married early and couldn'’t continue my studies.

Although I really loved school, but circumstances got in the way.

Just call me "Asmaa".

There'’s no difference between us, we are friends.

Okay?

- Fine.

- Okay?

I'’ll ask you all a question, who here goes to school?

(soft music) My name is Montaha.

I want to introduce myself.

I am Nour Nedal Ali.

I am 12 years old.

I am living a normal life.

Heba is a very natural person.

A person who likes to read and write.

And I am a very quiet person.

I am mysterious too.

I don'’t speak alot.

What else?

My name is Tamara Fadi Al Bakkawi.

I am 12 years-old.

I am a refugee in Zaatari Camp.

Okay, "Let'’s read" I'’m calling on people to read.

I'’ll try to help you like reading, reading ordinary books.

Far far from studying, teaching and online learning... and learning via mobile or whatever, the teacher and mathematics exams... Not even close... you'’ll really enjoy it.

We have a section titled "Simple Pleasures".

We'’re living in a camp here, right?

You might think to yourself, "If I was in Syria, life would be better ..." We wouldn'’t be living in a tent.

None of us were living in tents.

But there is nothing wrong with being a refugee, on the contrary.

Let'’s be honest, do we feel comfortable here or back in our country?

- Be honest!

- Here.

When we used to flee the bombings and similar things... and seek shelters... even if it'’s a camp we are very happy.

Enjoy everything in life, it'’s the subject of our book.

We will really enjoy reading it!

Okay?

My parents try to convince us to like this place, but I really hate it.

It'’s a deserted place, there are no trees, flowers or amusement parks!

There'’s nothing to enjoy here at the camp.

(soft, somber music) Do you remember when you were a little girl going to school?

Please mother, I hate to remember those days.

- Look at it!

Did you like it?

- Yes, you were so beautiful.

- Come on!

Look at me!

- I swear.

- I had big teeth.

- Are they smaller now?

They were big and got smaller now?

Asmaa went to the school in the morning, came back and entered the room... she continued writing and reading until she fell asleep.

I was planning for my future.

How did you bring these pictures from Syria?

I brought all the photos of my girls.

I wasn'’t a child here, I was already engaged.

- Yes, you were... - Look at Bachar.

We were at grandpa'’s house.

Look at me when I was a little girl.

- Am I beautiful?

- You look like Tamara!

Tamara, have a look.

Who'’s this?

Who'’s this little girl?

- It'’s Yamama.

- Yamama!

- It'’s mom when she was younger.

- Do I look like Tamara?

I'’m more beautiful for sure.

(soft music) My mom had a unibrow when she was my age.

When she went to school... she was bullied by many girls and had no friends.

So when she went to school she feared getting close to anyone.

(child babbling) (soft music) I feel that she was sad in her childhood.

We got to the stage where Sama got married and became a mother.

She had children.

When we say "war", what comes to your mind first?

- Fire - Fire!

We imagine the destruction, fire, dead people on the ground, martyrs, blood... We think of how people lived in fear.

Can you think of the children'’s situation in the war?

I hope you don'’t ever experience it.

Tamara lived this experience when she was younger.

Mom, do we draw Sama with a unibrow?

No need anymore because she got married and fixed herself up.

She found someone who takes care of her.

You can draw a sky filled with red sparks.

Even the sky indicates that there are bombs and terror.

She was about 4 or 3 months pregnant... Something happened in the country...

There was chaos in the country.

Until her husband'’s family took a decision that they should leave.

"This country is no longer safe."

She told her husband, "Do you agree with what is happening?

Do you think it'’s right to leave me?"

"Leave me and my daughter to our fate under fire?"

She was very disappointed.

I have a kid with him, I'’m even pregnant...

Didn'’t he consider any of this?

(soft music) Can you name an athlete who won a gold medal in the last Olympics?

Or the last woman to be crowned Miss USA?

Oh...nothing.

He can'’t remember anything!

I wondered, "how many people in the audience were answering correctly?"

He wanted to know, "Am I the only one who didn'’t know the answer?"

Finally, a question was asked that I could answer.

Can you name the last person who told you they loved you?

Could you answer this question and remember the last person who told you this?

In our community, we should hide love and not reveal it.

Love is a taboo.

No, no!

It'’s a very normal thing!

Who is the last person you expressed your love to?

It'’s okay if you don'’t have an answer.

Me.

- Asmaa... - My mother.

Montaha?

No one, I forgot.

You forgot!

It'’s okay.

Nour?

- To my older sister.

- To your older sister.

Solaf?

Go on, Solaf.

Let'’s hear your voice, Solaf!

- My mother.

- Your mother.

To her fiancé, I can tell you.

- My mother.

- Your mother.

- My father.

- Your father.

- My mother.

- Your mother.

We should maintain and hold on to them.

Your father, your mother, your brothers, your sisters are vital.

Your child, anyone... your friends!

How essential it is to have friends?

We take them for granted but they'’re vital relationships that we need to hold on to.

We'’re done here, it'’s the introduction.

Before my Mom started the reading sessions, I had no friends here.

Even when my cousins were calling me to play with them, I refused.

I was scared of people here at the camp.

(instructor exclaiming with each strike) When my Mom started to read stories...

I became braver.

I became social.

(soft music) (instructor exclaims) (indistinct instructions) She was cleaning when the phone rang.

I don'’t know why she felt something... that the caller was her husband.

He told her, "I'’m sorry that I left you!"

He allowed her to go to him.

She was very happy!

Fadi, wake up.

It'’s noon.

(Fadi chuckles) - Have you woken Dad?

- Yes!

Here are the toys, play with them.

Wait I'’ll put your clothes on for you.

(morning mumble) - No one.

Your mother called as well, she wants you urgently.

- Dad!

- Maya has English homework.

I told her, "wait until your Dad has his breakfast and coffee".

Tamara said, "we'’ll wait till midnight then".

(indistinct chatter) Fadi, wait until you have your breakfast or you will make her get frustrated.

(Fadi laughs) Say "hi" Did you start eating?

(laughing) Keep it!

Swallow it slowly.

(birds chirping) I am trying to encourage girls to read short books and novels that suit their age.

This generation emerged from the war at the age... Stop it.

At what age?

4, 5 years or so.

They witnessed the war and suffered from the refugee situation, tents...

This means they are psychologically affected.

It'’s a sensitive age, it'’s good to target it.

The camp as well.

You teach girls that even if you get married early, your life doesn'’t end here.

Even learning, it'’s...

Even now, if I tell anyone from the village what I'’m doing, they will ridicule it.

Not useful.

I feel like you remind me of myself.

You were like this?

As a child, I used to write, I even brought some of my writings here.

But it wasn'’t like nowadays, we had no support.

We were working at home... there was no one to encourage us to do these things.

How old were you when you got married?

- No, you can say that I... - 12 years.

- I can'’t believe it!

- 12 years.

- I finished sixth grade.

Learning was not a choice, girls were not allowed to learn.

- Why didn'’t you do anything?

- It was out of my hands...

I liked learning and I was a good student.

You are the only one... How did you feel when you dropped out of school?

I felt like...

I felt like I wanted this thing and lost it.

It was so hard for me.

Women could do nothing.

You are doing all I'’ve ever wanted to do.

That why I'’m supporting you!

Keep going!

Don'’t listen to anyone.

(soft music) I will try to be strong.

I will draw my strength from my children and the generations that are being destroyed.

I will try to help them...

I will try to change them from within.

Do you have pens?

Help each other.

(indistinct chatter) Who would like to participate?

I want new people to participate.

Who?

Who?

Who?

Heba!

We are listening attentively.

I am often satisfied with my life...

It'’s not that...

It'’s okay, let her take her time.

I'’m satisfied with my life.

It'’s not very bad but it'’s not very good.

It'’s in between.

- Okay.

I love the place where we live...

I like it.

It'’s not great, but I don'’t hate it.

It'’s not what you would want, but you like living here.

The wars in Syria affected our life significantly, that'’s why we came here.

So we should cope with the situation, even if it'’s a bit difficult.

But this is our life now.

After all, we will return one day to rebuild our houses and everything will go back to normal.

- Hopefully.

- Hopefully.

(somber music) When we were living in Syria... all of us... We were so happy.

Not a lot because I was too little to remember.

I was so young but... We lived in one room.

We had a kitchen.

We were eight.

Eight members living in one room but we were so happy!

My life was amazing.

I used to play outside with my friends in the neighborhood.

Our neighborhood was so beautiful.

I was so happy!

I was a little kid who played outside and returned back home after playing.

I spent the best days at home back in Syria.

My home was a big one.

We planted flowers and jasmines.

And my sisters and I were always playing around.

We had a two-story home.

We planted together, played together... We had a very good time.

I have good memories and I still remember them.

I remember my room with my sisters.

I can'’t ever forget those memories.

And that is it... (soft, somber music) When I think of Syria, I think that my house is devastated... and all of the homes are devastated... And there are big fires, people are dying, and they are lying on the streets.

This is what I think of.

We will not read much today, we have another activity!

Take a very deep breath.

Close your eyes.

(soft music) - You'’re alone on a cloud in the sky...

The cloud is asking you, "where would you like to go?"

Choose any place you would like to go to, a place where you feel comfortable.

(soft, somber music) (pot boiling) Maya, can you please go and buy lemons?

Only a few.

Where is Tamara?

Oh, Tamara is at her Grandma'’s.

Nothing can bring her from there.

Can you go please?

(water running) Clean here, where you squeezed lemon.

Yes, I know.

- Fadi?

- Mmm?

What will be the future of our kids?

Did we ever expect to face such a thing in our lives?

So what do you think?

I have no idea.

But we are living in a place... ...with no future.

It'’s uncertain.

You mean our decision is not in our hands?

Yes.

The future of this place is uncertain and we don'’t know what will happen over night so it is difficult to identify the future and to create a plan.

For the kids, we ought to do our duty.

Encouraging them to pursue their education and guide them to take the right path!

But what if we stay at the camp?

What about our kids?

(soft, somber music) Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday, happy birthday Happy birthday to you (singing, clapping) (soft, somber music) (clapping) (indistinct chatter) (cheering, clapping) Home means to me security, love, care.

It is beautiful.

(soft, somber music) I don'’t wish to go back to Syria.

I wish to stay here.

It is filled with our dreams and ambitions.

Everything started here at this home in the camp.

The house will look nice but what makes it even more beautiful is living with my family.

I'’m still looking for my home.

The home where I will live in peace and happiness.

I hate this place, but I hate Syria more.

Here there is no war, no bombs, no blood, nothing.

I hate it, but I hate Syria more.

We are not returning to Syria, ever.

(soft, somber music) ...that compels one to help others for no reason other than the goodness of participating in a cause larger than oneself.

These are the moments when our souls shine bright and beautiful and connect us to the purpose of our existence.

Okay... Get ready for the activity!

"The hat activity".

No, this is our hat.

Not a magical hat... We do not have anything magical, everything we have is real.

- Nothing is impossible - The hat of reality!

The hat of reality!

No, the hat of dreams!

- Heba, what do you think?

- The hat of dreams!

A sunhat!

Yes, to protect us against the sun!

The hat of the future!

The hat of the future!

Nice.

Solaf?

- The hat of hopes.

- The hat of dreams.

- Hopes - The hat of hopes.

- The hat of reality.

- The hat of reality.

The hat of imagination.

The hat of imagination, nice answer!

Now...

I'’m fine, let'’s go!

Let'’s go.

1, 2, 3!

- Let me take it.

I want to know where Tamara would be in 10 years!

Let'’s go Tamara, it'’s your turn.

You'’re welcome!

Don'’t distract her, sit in the middle here!

Imagine that it can give you everything you want!

It'’s a magical hat.

Let it be the magical hat, according to Yamama or... No, Yamama.

I see myself in university after ten years.

University.

In ten years, you'’ll be there!

(clapping) I see myself going back home in ten years, with our house built... and that I open a drawing institute and another one to teach reading and writing... and that I graduate from university and I'’m an important person.

Bravo!

You can give it to one of the girls.

I believe that I will be in Canada after ten years!

I'’m pretty sure!

- And...what else?

What else?

- To see the Eiffel tower!

No, I don'’t want to...

Shut up!

I believe that I will be a professional in doing what I like, of course make-up!

- And famous in this field.

- Hopefully!

And owning a salon for make-up only, not engaging in hair dressing at all.

That'’s how I see myself.

Close your eyes, girls!

Let'’s go.

Sit there and get comfortable.

- She'’s crossing legs as well!

- No, no no.

What should I tell you?

I have nothing in mind!

- Listen, it'’s okay, anything!

(indistinct chatter, laughter) - I have nothing!

- Just try, anything!

- Anything, just try!

I see myself in Jordan!

You see yourself in Jordan after 10 years.

What you'’ll be doing in Jordan?

- Nothing, I will stay at home.

- What would you do at home?

Maybe you can find something you enjoy... Give it some thought.

Think!

It doesn'’t have to be anything related to education or even something big.

After this experience, would you want to read a book or just look at its illustrations?

- No.

Give me anything except a book!

It'’s okay, it'’s very normal!

I hope that all of your dreams come true not in 10 years but as soon as possible.

Okay.

- Where have you been?

- Guess where!

I saw myself as a notable writer.

People want desperately to take photos with me!

(giggling) Listen, they want me to sign the book I'’ve written.

The book I'’m still writing, and maybe it'’ll take me another 10 years!

I saw myself in the spotlight surrounded by cameras and stuff!

I also saw you around.

You were the people in audience applauding me.

I hope to see this after ten years!

(clapping) She got to Zaatari Camp after a lot of difficulties.

After going through some of the toughest moments of life.

Do you want to know what happened with her too?

Yes.

Did she stay weak, feeling like she didn'’t exist?

- No - We'’ll see.

Briefly, it was a very difficult stage for her.

She felt like her life was over.

Until one day... She experienced reading aloud to children.

She became a reading aloud storyteller in her neighborhood.

In this experience, Sama felt as if someone came and put a bandage on her wounds... As if someone found her and she found herself.

Sama felt like life opened up new horizons.

She felt like hope still existed.

There were new experiences down the road.

She did things she never imagined she could do... even if she didn'’t know what she was doing.

She wasn'’t afraid of anything or anyone.

Okay, try to imagine with me.

We'’ll imagine together.

Sama went through all these things.

Eventually she got what she wanted.

Think with me.

How do you imagine her now?

Where is she?

What is she doing?

(soft music) I'’m eager to know of a moment where you were happy and laughed and showed all your teeth!

- I can'’t remember anything!

- Let'’s go Solaf!

Tell us about a moment in the past when you were very happy and laughed your heart out.

When I first came to the camp... Really, I was very happy!

- But later... - Can you tell us why?

We are surprised.

It'’s her turn, wait for your turn!

It was a new life to us.

What would make you happy the most in the future?

- To travel the world.

- To travel the world!

Nice.

(giggling) I can'’t remember anything!

No, try and you will find something.

In the coming days, in the coming years...

Think... hold on!

(hushing) - May I speak?

- Yes speak speak!

What people wish the most and makes them happy... - It'’s to go back home, right?

- Right!

Yes!

- It'’s to go back home... - Yes.

but it won'’t happen, it won'’t happen.

So that'’s what you look for?

Then you do have something that makes you happy.

Bravo, Montaha!

Now give the ball to Waed.

(indistinct chatter, laughter) - Go ahead, Waed.

- The happiest memory?

A moment when you were the most happy in you life.

- Mmm, honestly?

- Yes.

When my aunt Asmaa came and told me that she had a project and that I would certainly be a part of it!

I was very happy, indeed, and felt very excited... because it was the first time I was able to do something for myself.

To speak without hesitations, to speak out of my heart.

And...

I was myself, Waed!

Not the daughter-in-law or the wife... Not the daughter or the sister, It was just me, Waed!

It was the most beautiful moment... - I felt like I exist as Waed.

- Very good, bravo Waed!

Each one of you come and choose the book that'’s caught your eye.

(soft music) When I think of Asmaa, I have a very nice feeling.

When...

When she gave us books...

When she gathered us.

(soft music) When she read and explained things to us...

It'’s wonderful!

(soft music) I used to stay alone at the house, not going anywhere.

Then Asmaa came to our house... and asked my father to let me attend her sessions.

(soft music) I am so happy now because I come here to Asmaa'’s place... And she reads stories to me and teaches me to be positive... How to be honest, how to understand life.

(soft music) I'’m happy with Asmaa'’s sessions.

(soft music) I'’ve made many friends.

I visit Asmaa everyday.

(soft music) Before I was staying at home helping my mother.

I didn'’t know anything.

A person should go out in order to learn what life is.

When I attended the sessions, my personality grew and I became happier.

(soft music) The thing I love most about my Mom is that she'’s patient, strong... and doesn'’t give up easily.

(bright music) (soft music)