I hurt, you hurt, we hurt, they hurt. Pain is universal

It is part of being human, part of living. And pain is equal. Looking back you can see that some pain is worse than others but at the time, it simply hurts. Pain does not discriminate. Whether we are white, black or brown, Jew, Muslim, Christian or Hindu, we are all subject to its rule. Here are a few examples of what CB members say when asked about their pain.

Fadi, 18:
“Seven years ago when I lived in the USA for one year, my grandmother became sick and died, and we couldn’t go back home and see her for the last time.”

Judith, 21:
“I consider my biggest pain arriving to Germany from Guatemala just two hours after my grandfather had died in the hospital. I could not see him alive for the last time.”

Nasser, 19:
“Seeing my family not able to afford my college education, and seeing myself applying for loans every semester makes me feel painful.”

Nikolaj, 27:
“Coming to realize that many of the world’s problems would be fairly easy to solve if we had a genuine desire and the political will.”

Nikita, 20:
“Although I studied very hard and got excellent marks at school I was not accepted to the faculty of law only because of the psychometric exam. I really wanted to study there. This in my opinion is very unfair.”

Karin 22:
“The most painful moment in my life was when my grandmother died since it was the first big loss of a family member who was very close to me.”

Nivine, 24:
“I feel pain when I know that a beautiful country cannot be shared by both people peacefully and some people are deprived from enjoying this heaven.”

Pini, 24:
“When I think about this seminar, I feel disappointed in the people, because there was a lot of manipulation. What makes me sad is to feel that most of the people are not willing to go one step aside from their opinions.”

Asaad, 18:
“The feeling of captivity and the inability to move freely in my own space, which is too small anyway, makes me feel pain.”

Nadeen, 16:
‘’Three years ago my dog, Lucky, was killed by our neighbor’s dog. I was standing far away, but I tried to stop the fight while the other dog strangled my dog to death. I was shocked to see it, and I’m still sad when I remember that moment.’’

Rula, 17:
“I miss all the people I have lost. So far I have lost six people.”

Dilay, 18:
“For me pain is to lose a very good friend. Sometimes friends mean more than anything. They help you and stay by your side when you most need it. It is friends who tell the truth even though it hurts. But if you lose a friend, you lose a part of your self. A life without friendship is a life without substance.”