Date/Time: March 26, 2017. 5pm to 7pm
Location: Optimist Park
Rehab invited me to have our second meeting at Optimist Park. It was my first time going to this park but upon seeing it I loved it. There is a lovely playground for children and many trees to provide ultimate shade during these hot days. While this was my first time at this park, Rehab has been coming here every weekend with her kids. Her eldest son plays soccer while she spends time with the two younger ones on the slides and swings.
While the kids played, Rehab and I had a lot to talk about. We talked about the recent American immigration changes and the difficulties people are facing. Rehab is really concerned with all that is going on especially since she will have to head back to Egypt in a few years. We discussed the political and economic climate of Egypt. Currently there are a lot of movements taking place in Egypt that are changing the lives of Egyptians. Rehab shared that living expenses are becoming incredibly high but salaries are not meeting up to fulfill these needs. The education system is also weakening which makes her worry for her children when/if they return.
She shared with me the story of her young sister who happens to be a physician. Both her sister and her husband are doctors but they left Egypt because they could not find a proper job even with their high qualifications. Rehab was saying that in Egypt currently Egyptians do not have much rights or privileges compared to the foreigners who live there. Unlike in America where Americans’ rights and privileges come first.
Rehab is a very social person and I saw a glimpse of that as many regular people of the park came and said hi to us. Even though her English is not advanced, she has great confidence and loves going up to people to introduce herself. It was really an interesting conversation session with Rehab. I got to know a lot about the Egyptian situation from the perspective of someone who lived there.
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