I have a life-time love affair with Arabic, which I first learnt when living in Gaza back in 2007: more than twelve years later, I am still studying and learning how to express myself in this complex, beautiful language. Sumud (صمود) means steadfastness in the face of huge challenge: it sums up something about why I love the Middle East so much, its crazy, political chaos and the big-heartedness of many people I’ve met. My other favourite, that I use way too much, is fawda (فوصى) that literally means chaos, which probably says more about me.
The website of Louisa Waugh
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We all know this long-term crisis demands a long-term political strategy, instead of EU member states abandoning refugees, and Greek communities, to fend for themselves. In the meantime, self-organised groups like SV are on the ground seven days a week, working alongside refugees on Samos, to make life in the camp more bearable.