Have you every noticed something in your community that you thought was too negative, or not right?

YES alumna Maram Qambar (YES 2015-2016, Bahrain, hosted by FLAG in Bluffton, IN) noticed a problem in her school – students often use the word “hate” against other people or things they don’t like. Maram thinks that type of extreme language is destructive and negatively affects students and people in society, preventing them from moving forward together. 

So Maram decided to do something about it. She created a project to work towards a change. She printed 600 fliers with inspirational quotes and distributed them throughout her high school. Many of her classmates thought it was pointless and some even made fun of her, others tossed it in the trash, but Maram maintained her belief that change requires patience. She decided it was enough to know that some people found it motivational and lovely. 

Maram says it’s her responsibility to do what she can to make the world a better place as long as she is alive. She is positive that through such gestures, she will touch people's hearts, motivating them to eventually change. According to Maram, “Working with the soul can build the future of countries and build our entire world.” She adds, “I have a message from my mind in my hands to pass down the road to people's thoughts and feelings.”