IN STEREO

I think that kids have the most interesting minds [and] the most interesting stories. They always point out something that [makes you go,] “Oh!” I feel that people get less and less creative with age – you don’t see the world as interesting as it is, when you grow up. And [kids] know everything, even the secrets! They’re always around, listening. But actually, kids from different parts of Palestine are so different. From [Aida] camp to Beit Jala, they’re different. It’s the situation they live in that produces difference. Just imagine: [there is] more political contact here because here is the wall. There’s always fights and clashes, right here. And you know, when you have your brother taken to prison and your cousin was murdered and stuff like that, you will grow up differently to a kid who goes to school, then to play with their neighbours and back home with their family.

It’s an interesting place to live and grow up. It’s hard, but I think I’m blessed that I’m here, really. A lot of places around the world have different and difficult situations, I know that. But I [also] know that a lot of other places are easier than here. So maybe it’s a good thing to grow up in a difficult place. I think we’re in the middle. I can connect with better situations, and I can connect with more difficult [situations]. I can understand, even if I don’t live that. Maybe because we know that nothing ever works from the first try. We know that. This is the only situation we know. So when you’re thinking about an idea, you’re always making a ‘Plan D’, even before the first try. You work hard for the first plan to work, but usually [it’s] the second or the third. I think it will be easier to get to know other places after you get to know this place. – Rana