Samar Al Ansari (1988-2006)

Malaria

2012-01-29T04:34:00.000+03:00

Definition:

Malaria is a communicable disease caused by protozoa, which has four species, which are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. Malaria is transmitted to humans by the Anopheline mosquito. The transmission of the disease is affected by climate and geography.

Incidence:

Malaria is common in Africa and South-East Asia, and is re-emerging in areas which have been under control. Several developed countries get malaria from endemic areas, because of international travels. Malaria is a public health problem in more than ninety countries. Mortality due to malaria occurs in young children in Africa, especially in areas with poor health services. The disease is endemic in one hundred and one countries mostly in the African region.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of malaria include fever, shivering, pain in the joints, headaches, repeated vomiting, convulsions, and coma. Sever anemia might occur.

Malaria in Children:

Malaria is very common among children who live in certain endemic areas. In Africa, children under five years of age are chronic victims of malaria. Children often die in less than seventy-two hours after developing the disease. In children who survive, malaria takes away their nutrients and affects their physical and intellectual developments. More over, malaria is a main reason for poor school attendance. About three million children die from malaria per year.

Prevention:

Prevention of malaria includes a variety of measures. Measures that protect infection are directed against the mosquito which include personal protection measures like, protective clothing, repellents, bed nets, and community protection measures like, use of insecticides. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are fundamental in malaria prevention. Children and pregnant women are especially important in malaria control.

Treatment:

A limited number of drugs are available for treating malaria. In many parts of the world drug resistance has caused difficulty in treatment of malaria. The drugs available to treat malaria are antimalarial like, chloroquine. Malaria isn’t very easy to treat, and there isn’t much hope for quick recovery. The treatment for malaria is very expensive; and that is why many poor children and others are dying from this awful disease.

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 7

Diseases with the letter "M"

2012-01-26T23:30:00.000+03:00

1. malaria

2. muscular pain

3. measles

4. mumps

5. migraine

6. meningitis

7. mad cow disease

8. mild diseases

9. mental illnesses

10. maternity problems

11. memory loss

12. menopause

13. mononucleosis

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 7

Eric Clapton- Tears in Heaven

2012-01-22T04:04:00.006+03:00

Tears in Heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please

Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AscPOozwYA8

Tears

2012-01-19T04:04:00.000+03:00

There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.
Washington Irving

January 2012

2012-01-15T00:04:00.001+03:00

Samar's Art Work (26)

2012-01-12T20:17:00.002+03:00

صيدا

2012-01-08T20:03:00.000+03:00

المقدمة: في العطلة الصيفية الماضية ذهبنا أنا وعائلتي الى لبنان،فاقترحت عليهم زيارة مدينة صيدا فرحبوا بالفكرة٠

انطلقنا باكرا وعندما وصلنا إلى صيدا كنا جائعين،فقررنا ان نذهب إلى مطعم استراحة صيدا الذي كان يطل على شاطيء البحر٠

ذهبت لأتمشى بجانب البحر ورأيت البحر نظيفا أي نظافة. وتذكرت بحرنا الوسخ في بلادي وقررت انني سأحاول التقاط القاذورات عن شاطيء البحر في بلادي مع اصدقائي٠

جاء ولد ورمى علبة البيبسي في البحر وسألت أبي لماذا فعل هذا الولد هكذا وقال لي أن بعض الناس البحر لا يهتمون بالبيئة، ثم ذهبت لأتغذى ورجعت إلى شاطيء البحر عندما أكملت الغذاء ورأيت الولد يأكل الشوكولا ،وعندما يأكله ويرمي الأوراق في البحر٠

هذا أغضبني كثيرا فذهبت قليلا الى البحر والتقط الأوراق وقلت للولد أن يحافظ على نظافة وطنه الجميل فتعلم درسا مفيدا ووعدني الولد انه لن يفعل هذا مرة ثانية٠

أعتقد أن البيئة مهمة جيدا في حياة الإنسان وسأحافظ عليها ،والناس الذين يلوثون البيئة أشخاص لا

يهتمون بأي شيء إلا أنفسهم .أعرف أنكم لا تريدون أن تصبحوا كهؤلاء الناس فحافظوا على البيئة٠

سمر الأنصاري

الصف السادس أ

٢٢ اكتوبر ١٩٩٩

Oh Friend!

2012-01-04T04:04:00.003+03:00

Oh friend! I feel so alone

Sadness in my heart has grown

After my children left home

You could hear a needle if thrown.

Though we are daily in touch,

Still I miss them very much.

I just can't wait anymore,

For them to walk through our front door,

And for the day when they graduate,

Come back and end this current state.

I would definitely collapse and crack

If I knew that my daughter will never come back.

Now, I understand why you have so much pain,

And realize that your longing will never wane.

Your daughter will not come back at all

Winter, spring, summer or fall.

For me it’s a matter of a year or two

I can’t imagine if I were you.

Sorry if I didn’t before understand

Criticized you, and didn’t offer a helping hand.

I find it ridiculous to complain

Honestly, I feel insensitive and insane???

Written in loving memory of my daughter

Samar Ahmed Al Ansari (4/4/1988-4/9/2006)

(www.samaralansari.com)

Another Year

2012-01-01T00:04:00.016+03:00

Another year’s end has come

with you not here.

We bid it farewell,

for the new one, cheer.

Tonight I feel alone,

while I shed a tear.

Memories of the past

so crystal clear,

How you welcomed

every New Year,

With joy and delight

my daughter, Dear.

As the world welcomes 2012

with champagne and beer

I find comfort

embracing a souvenir,

Recalling your wishes

that I can still hear.

My wound remains raw,

more days and nights to fear.

Written in loving memory of my daughter

Samar Ahmed Al Ansari (4/4/1988-4/9/2006)

Friends

2011-12-29T21:25:00.000+03:00

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion,
who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement,
who can tolerate not knowing...not healing, not curing...that is a friend who cares.
Henri Nouwen

Larry King Live with Ralph

2011-12-28T04:04:00.002+03:00

Objective: Demonstrate an understanding of the underlining theme of the novel.

Larry: Good morning folks, we have a very special guest with us this fine morning, which I’m sure you all know or might’ve heard of. On the show with us today is one of the survivors of the plane wreck of an uninhabited island just off the coast of Spain, Ralph, the twelve year old Englishman. How are you feeling this morning, Ralph?

Ralph: I have felt the same ever since I got back.

Larry: And how is that?

Ralph: I feel different.

Larry: Well that’s understandable. Let me ask you something Ralph, how did it feel to be on an island with a bunch of other kids, with no adult supervision? I bet you guys want crazy over there?

Ralph: It was frightening; with the pass of each day I grew more and more terrified.

Larry: Yes, it is very frightening to be in an excluded world without adults where animals ran free, etc. Of course you were scared, you were in a strange setting.

Ralph: I wasn’t scared of the setting Larry, I was scared of us. Sometimes, I even grew afraid of myself. I got used to the new setting, but I could never get used to the evil of man.

Larry: I’m sure if there was adult supervision, you wouldn’t be afraid of your little friends?

Ralph: Adult or child, man has darkness in his heart. Everyone has a beast in them, and some of us tame their beasts better than others. The presence of adults wouldn’t have made a difference. Look at the adults now, they’re at war; brothers are fighting brothers, for dark reasons. The innocent and pure ones are dying, while the dark ones grow more powerful.

Larry: Have you always felt so pessimistic about man, or was this view of man acquired on the island?

Ralph: I was blinded and couldn’t see man’s real image before I was on the island, but on the island I saw clearly for the first time.

Larry: Did you start ‘seeing clearly’ on the island since the beginning, or was it towards the end…?

Ralph: I realized man’s true nature when people started becoming selfish and disregarded important things like the signal fire and the conch. I kept on telling them Larry, that the signal fire was the only way that we would get rescued, but no body listened to me, everyone was selfish. As for the conch, it was an item we used in assemblies. If you held the conch it meant you had the right to talk and to be heard, but people started disregarding the conch, till finally it was destroyed.

Larry: Why do you think they didn’t listen to you? According to my information, you were their leader, surely some of the boys listened to you.

Ralph: At the beginning, everyone was scared and confused, so they listened to me. But as the days past, everyone became more selfish and did things according to their wants and not their needs. I made decisions based on our needs, and only four wise boys were my true supporters.

Larry: Two of your supporters were killed, right? How so?

Ralph: Two of my supporters, Piggy and Simon, were murdered. Simon was the only innocent and pure hearted one on the island, and Piggy, was…someone I needed desperately.

Larry: Murdered by who?

Ralph: By the beast that laid within all of us, the beast that emerged with the absence of order.

Larry: Wow, that’s pretty insightful for a twelve year old child.

Ralph: I am no longer a child Larry, children are innocent.

Samar Al-Ansari 11.5

Oct. 1, ‘04

Samar's Art Work (25)

2011-12-23T21:18:00.000+03:00

Your Clothes

2011-12-14T04:04:00.008+03:00

How can I give away your clothes?

When each piece with you, I chose

I remember when and where each was bought

And the happiness then to you, it brought.

I hold them dear, close to my heart.

They are what remained since your sudden depart.

So how can I give your clothes away?

I want every single piece to stay.

Beautiful memories are engraved in each piece.

I will not give them away, I will not release

I remember every occasion that you wore each shirt,

And reminisce over each dress and skirt.

A priceless treasure you left me to keep,

That warms my heart but makes me weep.

I couldn’t have imagined when we got you a dress,

That one day I will hold it to caress.

Randah R. Hamadeh, Copyright©2011
Written in loving memory of my daughter
Samar Ahmed Al Ansari (4/4/1988-4/9/2006)

Candle Lighting for Samar

2011-12-11T04:04:00.007+03:00

Join the Compassionate Friends in Lighting a Candle at 7 pm today in memory of Samar and other children who have died.

History of the Letter M

2011-12-08T17:56:00.000+03:00

M is the thirteenth letter of the English alphabet derived from Latin. It is also the thirteenth letter of the ancient North Semitic and Estrucan alphabets. The Semites were the ones who lived in Syria and Palestine. They named it mem, their word for water, and adapted an Egyptian hieroglyphic or picture symbol for water.

The shape of the letter m derives from the early North Semitic and Phoenican forms, from which the Greek m (mu) involved. Through the Estrucans, the Greek form was taken over by the Romans and handed down to the present-day alphabet.

Samar Al Ansari
Grade 7

كم تمنيت

2011-12-04T04:24:00.000+03:00

كم تمنيت لو كانت سمر بينكن

شابة متألقة جميلة معكن

ترتدي أحلى الملابس والحلي مثلكن

إنها أمنية ساورتني حين رأيتكن

تتأنقن بلهفة للخروج الى حفلاتكن

أدعو الله القادر أن يحفظكن

من كل سوء ويصون شبابكن

،وأرى سمر في كل واحدة منكن

.وفي الغالية قدر، الأخت الحبيبة لكن

©رنده ربحي حماده

(أم سمر)

December 2011

2011-12-01T00:04:00.001+03:00

Vocabulary Assignment

2011-11-29T23:46:00.000+03:00

To Anyone Who Can Help,

I have been going to the same vapid Catholic School for two years now, and I am on the verge of insanity. My body has been discolored by the long-term bruises, bulbous blisters, and deep cuts from the countless scourges I receive daily. I have forgotten the feeling of running my hand over a smooth back with no scathing cuts and bruises. For the past two years I have waken up every morning with tear filled eyes; school is no longer a soporific obligation, but an institution of terror. They tell me that I break precept after precept, and that is why I am punished all the time, but nobody ever tells me what precept I’m breaking! This school makes me look horrible and feel horrible. I do not feel like a bad person, but why am I labeled as such? They’re out to get me, everyone is! Help me!!

I despise everything about my school, from the smell of the unscented candles being burned in the chapel, to the flouting tone of my fascist-like teachers, and to the blistering feel of the whip on my back. I am labeled as a heretic for not wearing a cross on my neck, and am whipped daily for that right on the back until my warm blood makes a cross on my scarred back. Daily before I go to bed, I dab a soaked cloth on the back of my neck, irritating the raw flesh in the process in order to prevent any infections. I will not let myself get sick and weak, it will only make them stronger. The way I am brutally hit, you would think I was a filch, but I’m just a young man trying to live my miserable life normally. In the past, I was praised when I spoke of tolerance of other religions, but at my school, I am condemned for being tolerant of other religions. My school preaches amnesty, but does not practice it. They are hypocrites, just like my parents, who claim to love me, but in reality hate me. When I first came to this petrifying school, I had wondered why my parents sent me here, and came to the conclusion that they hate me. They’re out to get me, everyone is! Help me!!

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 11.5

November 23,2004

Samar's Art Work (24)

2011-11-23T04:04:00.000+03:00

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 6A

Twenty Interview Questions for Marilyn Monroe

2011-11-19T15:48:00.002+03:00

1. How does it feel to be such a famous and accomplished actress?

2. Was your childhood affected because your mother spent the majority of her life institutionalized?

3. Will your life ever be the same as it was before you got raped at the age of eight?

4. Is being an actress a hard job or is it an easy job, and why?

5. What does it take to be a good and famous actress?

6. Which one of your movies did you enjoy acting in the most, and why?

7. Do you ever regret being so popular, and why?

8. Why were you always depressed?

9. What did taking drugs and drinking alcohol do to help your life?

10. Which marriage was your best marriage, and why?

11. What inspired you to become an actress?

12. Why did you choose Marilyn Monroe as your stage name?

13. Which actor or actress did you enjoy acting with the most?

14. Why did you have affairs with John F. Kennedy and his brother Roger?

15. Why did you attempt suicide, don’t you think life is worth living?

16. What are your talents other than acting?

17. What was your childhood like?

18. People say that the story of your life is like the story of Cinderella, do you agree, and why?

19. What were your jobs before becoming an actress?

20. Why was your relationship with the Fox executives turning sour, and what did you do to try and fix it?

Samar Al Ansari
Grade 7
2000

A Quote on grief

2011-11-14T23:33:00.000+03:00

Grief can't be shared. Everyone caries it alone, his own burden, his own way.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Setting

2011-11-10T04:15:00.001+03:00

1770-1760 BC

I walked into Hammurabi's palace and I could'nt believe what I saw. It was a two -story house that held over three hundred rooms. I walked into richly decorated throne room. The floors and walls were covered with reed mats, skin rugs, and woolen hangings. There were beautiful low tables and high back chairs everywhere, which were decorated with gold. His house was different than my simple one- story, mud brick house. There were also beautiful bronze statues of Hammurabi’s ancestors.

A servant came up to me, holding a plate of apples, pears, grapes, figs, plums, pistachios and pomegranates. I wasn't very hungry but I took my favorite grapes just to be respectful. The grapes tasted so fresh and sweet, like they were just plucked of the tree. The sweetness went through my tongue like a blade. I was offered some wine, but I declined because I don't trust anything that doesn't already exist on earth. I took some water, it tasted wonderful, it was cold and fresh, it truly quenched my thirst. I recognized that water; it was from the Euphrates River.

I began to touch my surroundings because everything was so strange to me. I touched the bronze statues and placed my hand all over them trying to get the sculptor’s feel. They were smooth and cold. I touched the skin rugs, and they felt so soft and warm against my tired hands.

I heard the beautiful music of the servants/ music of Hammurabi. I heard the drums, tambourines, and pipes of reed and metal. I also heard the voice of a beautiful lady praising Hammurabi in her song. It sounded beautiful and it intoxicated me to the extent that I didn’t know where I was or what I was doing.

I smelled the beautiful smell of incense. It felt like a flower that has just blossomed in my nose. I was in paradise. I could also smell the smell of the lamb being cooked, my mouth began to water, and my appetite just opened up. Aah!

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 9.2

March 8, 2003

في مكة التقينا

2011-11-06T00:04:00.001+03:00

حلمت بأننا كنا بيت الله قاصدين

لنعتمر في مكة ونؤدي شعائر الدين

هذا هو حلمي الذي أردت به تظهرين

أتيت به لتؤكدي و تُذكرين

.بأنك معي حبيبتي في كل حين

كنتِ نائمة على السرير فقمت تنادين

" أمي...أنا هنا معك، ألا تصدقين؟"

هرعتُ إليك وإذا بذراعيك تطوقيني

وإلى صدرك الحبيب تضميني

شعرت بدفء قبلاتك على جبيني

ورويتِ بعض الظمأ الذي في شراييني

الهي! رأيتك ولمستك يا نور عيني

.لحظات اسعدتيني، تخيلتك حقيقة تكلميني

!ما أجمل لقاءنا عند بيت رب العالمين

لقاء قصير لم يشبع الوله والحنين

ليته طال كي تبقي ولا تفارقين

.وتمكثي معي وقتا أكثر قبل أن تتركين

رنده ربحي حماده

(أم سمر)

The New Me

2011-11-04T00:34:00.000+03:00

If you can't accept the "New Me",

From our friendship, I’ll set you free.

I am now a bereaved mother,

you can't alter this, don’t bother.

I had no choice, but to change

And all the pieces in my life, re-arrange

The tragic loss that I had to face

Ripped my heart from its place.

I had to adapt to my new self,

And all the aspects of my new life, itself

I was forced to accept my great loss

And the new path I had to cross.

Nothing is worse than losing a child

Thank God I didn’t lose my mind

I can't help but be the "New Me",

Sorry if that’s what you don’t expect me to be.

I'll always think of you with great love

And pray to the Lord in heaven above

That one day you’ll be able to accept

November 2011

2011-11-01T00:04:00.001+03:00

نقطة فاصلة

2011-10-30T23:04:00.001+03:00

ما زلت معي يا ولدي...فاجعة حقيقية تحكايها رلى حماده

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj_VF-AgoaI&sns=em

It's My Life by Alan Pederson

2011-10-27T23:27:00.000+03:00

It's My Life by Alan Pederson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VbR-JwFvfk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The Hero of the Play

2011-10-25T20:37:00.000+03:00

The Heroine of this play is Juliet. Juliet is the one who had to make all the major decisions and truly act like a woman. Everything was so simple for Romeo, but Juliet was the one who had to make sacrifices. First of all, Juliet was strong enough to disobey her father by refusing to marry Paris. Some might say that she ended up obeying her father at the end, but that is because she didn’t want to sacrifice yet another precious thing in her life. Juliet was not the type of person to weep over what has passed, but she was a person who took action. She went to Friar Laureee and asked for advice, then made a decision that will for sure affect the rest of her life. She decided to fake her death and lay in the Capulet tomb for about 2 days; I don’t know how more courageous you can get than that. Finally, unlike Romeo who was a chicken and drank poison to kill himself, Juliet killed herself by plunging a dagger into her flesh and dying a painful death. No one would choose a painful death over a peaceful death; Juliet did. Juliet was willing to sacrifice anything to the one thing she believed in, love.

In my opinion, Romeo didn’t understand love, and wasn’t sacrificing enough for Juliet. Everything bad in this play happened because of Romeo. Romeo constantly ran away from his problems, but Juliet had to face them like a true lady. Some might say that Juliet was a woman and Romeo was a boy. Juliet is a truly amazing character, who I look up to because she teaches us never to give up.

Samar Al ANSARI

GRADE 9.2

2003

Home by Samar Al Ansari

2011-10-19T19:29:00.000+03:00

Home by Samar Al Ansari

Grade 9

2003

To the New Inhabitants of this Fine Island

2011-10-12T22:47:00.000+03:00

Objective: Use 10 vocab words in a letter inveighing against a character’s actions or life on the island in the voice of 1 of the characters, or an outsider/observer.

To the New Inhabitants of this Fine Island,

Enough is enough; for my limit has been reached. I have tried to occult my anger for God only knows how long hoping that life on the island might change, hoping that Ralph might change. Unfortunately, he didn’t; he still the remains the weak leader he has always been. I have seen the weakness in his eyes since the day we first met, but you my brothers, surmise that he is a strong, able leader.

His bombastic speeches filled with drivel may give off the impression that he knows what he is talking about, but he obviously does not. What kind of a leader would insist on providing mediocre huts over fresh succulent pig meat? He is not giving the people what they want, he claims he is giving us what we need, but we don’t need a roof over our heads when there is not single cloud in the sky. We need meat, meat to make us strong enough to build those damned huts! I have been hunting for meat on the island since the day we crashed, and I have received no words of gratitude from him to lighten the great weight I have on my shoulders. On the contrary, he condemns me for not helping with the building of the huts. He constantly infringes on the hunting process when it is supposed to be my area of expertise. How can I help if I am in a complete state of lassitude after a day of exhausting hunting?

His stringent rules do not establish order in the island as he claims they will. If that was the case, then how come the conch system is working terribly? An old shell does not determine someone’s right to speak; that’s ludicrous. He is a callow leader, who obviously has no experience in being a leader; I on the other hand have had experience back in my school. The way Ralph goes about things, gives off the impression that he thinks that we are going to be staying here for a millennium. “We need shelter in case it rains…” said Ralph in one of his mind-droning speeches. We should focus with what we want now, not think about days to come! I could give you what you want, I could ameliorate the conditions on this island, and that is why I exhort you to offer me your support. I will give you what you want….

Your brother,

Jack

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 11.5

September 19,2004

Tray made by Samar

2011-10-08T04:16:00.000+03:00

الموت

2011-10-04T04:04:00.000+03:00

كونت معك صداقة

...أيها الموت
أصبحت تلازمني

بعد أن تسللت لابنتي بصمت

،فقدت أحلامي
.وأماني، كلها أضعت
مرت الأيام وأنت ترافقني

أمسيت أوأصبحت

يخاف الجميع التحدث عنك

لذا، للحديث عنك أقلعت

كذا هم الناس

يخشونك اذا تكلمت

لا أحد يريد ذكرك

مهما حاولت

رغم أنك الزائر الحاضر

.دون دعوة لكل بيت

معاناتي أخفيتها

والآهات بصدري خبأت

...حتى الكلام دفنته في قلبي
...قلبي الذي حطمت
لم أكن أعرف حقيقتك

ولكن اليوم أدركت

بعد أن أخذت نور عيني

وحياتي غيرت

أخذ الدمع من عيوني مسكنا

.فلا يمر يوم إلا به بكيت

(أم سمر)

October 2011

2011-10-01T00:04:00.001+03:00

Seeds of Conflict

2011-09-27T18:43:00.000+03:00

Although the treaty of Versailles had tremendous potential, its effort to build a long lasting peace failed; the peace was built on quicksand. The ideas proposed in the treaty such as Wilson’s 14 points were good in theory, but not effective in practice, because the only point that was implemented was the formation of the League of Nations. Every participant country in the war had a different definition of justice in his mind, because different countries underwent different struggles. What could be viewed as just from the American viewpoint could’ve been viewed as the complete opposite from the French viewpoint. France suffered greatly because of the war since most of the war had been fought on their soil, so they felt that Germany needed to be punished more severely. The United States entered the war relatively late, and did not undergo what France did, as a result they didn’t feel as strongly as France did regarding the punishment of Germany. As countries’ opinions differed, they had to come to a compromise. Compromises do not always provide satisfaction, and this particular compromise left the victorious as well as the vanquished countries bitter; the countries were not satisfied and wanted more than what the treaty offered.

The seeds of conflict began to be sown even before the actual treaty as Russia and Germany were deliberately alienated from the treaty. Germany and Russia were purposefully excluded from the treaty leading to the growth of the strong feeling of bitterness within these two countries. Germany was excluded because it was seen as the country ‘responsible’ for the war, while Russia was excluded for its early withdrawal from the war and its current civil war. Decisions were made concerning the fate of these two countries while both of them were not present. Obviously the peace would be temporary if not all of the participating countries were present to decide on matters and come to compromises, especially on matters concerning their own country. Russia alienated by the allies lost territory, while Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (formerly part of Russia) became independent nations. Russia suffered land loss and wasn’t even present when these decisions were made. As for Germany, it suffered much more than land losses. If these two countries were present in the treaty, it would have definitely been more effective. All participating countries should’ve taken part in this treaty, not just the ‘winners’. Russia and Germany did not have a say whatsoever in what was happening to them, and as a result were left embittered and unsatisfied with what they viewed as unjust decisions concerning them.

As for Germany, it was held completely responsible for the war, by having to sign the War Guilt Clause. Germany undoubtedly played a big role in the war, but should have the sole responsibility of the war been put on its shoulders? Germany not only had to claim sole responsibility for the war, but it had to pay for it as well both in the literal and metaphorical meanings. Germany suffered a great deal of territorial losses, for example Alsace Lorraine was given back to France. All of Germany’s colonies were stripped away from them becoming mandates. This was a significant loss to the Germans, because a large fraction of their economy depended on resources gained from its colonies. The creation of Poland and the Polish Corridor- an area that separated Germany from Russia aggravated many Germans, because their land was being reduced and new states were being formed. Rhineland, an area between France and Germany, was occupied by the allies planting a seed of future conflict as well. The actual financial costs that were supposed to be paid by Germany were about 33 billion dollars over the course of thirty years. Germany also suffered militarily, for its land force was reduced to 100,000 men, and it was not allowed to produce or import weapons, nor was it allowed to have U-boats or aircrafts. Germany paid for the war through territorial losses, economic losses, military losses, and most importantly through the humiliation of signing the War Guilt Clause; the Germans were embittered. Aware that they were going to pay for the war for the rest of their lives, the Germans grew hateful and bitter.

The territorial changed also contributed to the presence of future conflict. Not only were Germany and Russia affected by the treaty, everyone was. Austria-Hungary, a central power, suffered land losses, for several new counties were created from its empire such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Czechoslovakia was composed of three types of peoples, the Germans, the Czechs, and the Slavs. This mixture of peoples obviously was going to lead to nationalistic movement, leading to future conflict. As for the Ottoman Empire, it lost a lot of its empire, for its lands in South West Asia were carved into a mandate. Palestine, Iraq, and Trans Jordan were under British control, while Lebanon and Syria were under French control. This also led to nationalistic fervor and hatred in the hearts of the conquered peoples. Britain’s control of Palestine eventually led to the development of the State of Israel, thus releasing a conflict still evident today. As for Italy and Japan, they entered the war on the Allies’ side hoping to gain land, but they were left unsatisfied when they gained less than what they wanted. Finally, the people in the mandates (formerly German colonies) were furious at the way in which the allies disregarded their desire for independence, thus also leading to nationalism and bitterness.

People were left embittered after the Treaty of Versailles; everyone felt cheated and betrayed. This feeling of betrayal undoubtedly would lead to emerging conflicts between nations. No country was satisfied, some countries were alienated, they suffered from territorial, economic, and military losses, they were mistreated, etc. The decisions made in the Treaty of Versailles did not please the majority of people, leading to the growth of bitterness within countries. Instead of building a long lasting peace, the Treaty of Versailles did the opposite by failing to satisfy the needs of the people.

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 11.5

Dec 14,2004

What Tenderness Can Do

2011-09-17T22:52:00.000+03:00

Introduction: Does an act of kindness ever go unrewarded? No it doesn’t. To hear the phrase “Thank you” is enough for some people. Tenderness can really change a person. Roger was a confused boy, who didn’t know right from wrong until he met Mrs. Jones. She gave him tenderness, love, and care; things he wasn’t used to. At first he wanted to leave Mrs. Jones, then he was reluctant about leaving, and finally he didn’t want to leave. Roger was a changed young man and he didn’t even know it.

At the beginning, all Roger wanted to do was take the easy way out.”No’m”, said the being dragged boy. ‘I just want you to turn me loose.Pg1”. This quote represents how all Roger wants to do is leave. He doesn’t want to face the consequences of his actions. Instead of Roger working for a pair of blue suede shoes, he tries to steal money to buy them from Mrs. Jones. That night, Roger chose to take the easy way out. He doesn’t want to go anywhere with Mrs. Jones. All Roger has in his life is trouble, and why should he add to that. He has no family, no love in his life, and he doesn’t want to add to all that misery. Going to jail will be the absolute worst for him, no one understands him. The mere thought of adding more emptiness to his life was frightening, and all he wanted to do was take off. At least his old life would be a better life than the one in jail. He thought stealing a purse would be the easiest thing in the world, easier than working, but to his surprise he could no longer run away from his actions. He was stuck with Mrs. Jones.

A change in Roger’s character develops; he starts liking to stay with Mrs. Jones. “Roger looked at the door-looked at the woman –looked at the door-and went to the sink. Pg 2. ” As you can tell by reading the excerpt, Roger starts to develop a change; he is starting to like it there. Sure, he is still scared of her, he doesn’t know her that well and is scared of what a strong woman like Mrs. Jones could do to him. He doesn’t know that he wants to stay consciously but deep down in his heart he likes the fact that someone is caring for him. He comes from a broken home, and when he tries to steal a woman’s purse, she takes him in. She doesn’t take him into punish him, or even to report him to the police, but to feed and wash him. That is the average response from a woman who has just been robbed. He is wondering,”Why is she so nice to me; I tried to steal her purse.” He probably didn’t eat a home cooked meal in a long time, and probably had no one to talk to. Out of the blue comes this truly unique individual who starts to talk about herself and her past life. No one is ever nice to him, and Roger won’t admit it, but he actually starts to like it there.

A final change in Roger’s character develops; he doesn’t want to leave such a warm and loving home.”The boy wanted to say something else other than ‘Thank you ma’aam’ to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, but he couldn’t do so as he turned at the barren stoop and looked at the large woman in the door.pg 3”.Roger doesn’t want to leave the only good thing that has happened to him in a long time. The environment in which Mrs. Jones lived in was such a warm environment, and he would be a fool to leave all that. But he didn’t, Mrs. Jones was the one eager for him to leave at the end. Isn’t it ironic, how at the beginning all Roger wants to do is leave, but Mrs. Jones is so eager to take him home with her? And at the end, when Roger wants to stay, she is eager for him to leave? He wanted to say something more to her, like: “How can I ever repay you?”,”Why are you doing all this?, and “Can I visit you again?”But she doesn’t want to start a relationship with him; she has taught him right from wrong and wanted him to succeed on his own. She shut the door just like that, and he had to face his empty life again. The life where he had no family, food Roger, etc. He had found something so good in that home, and that was Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, the woman who touched him deeply; the woman he would never forget it.

Conclusion: Roger left Mrs. Jones’s porch leaving something behind. He left behind his past life.; a life with stealing, no love and no work. Mrs. Jones’s tenderness really did change Roger’s life. Maybe Roger doesn’t know that yet, but he will start acting differently in his life because of Mrs. Jones’s influence on him. No one what will happen to our dear friend Roger, but he will never go back to his past life, that is guaranteed.

Samar Al ANSARI
GRADE 9.2
2003

مؤلفات أم سمر

2011-09-14T00:06:00.001+03:00

:متوفرة حاليا في

:البحرين

المكتبة الوطنية، شارع المعارض، المنامة

مكتبة الأيام -الكشكول، شارع المعارض،المنامة

ذا بوك كيس، شارع البديع

:لبنان
مكتبة واي إين، الحمراء، بيروت

للعلم ستذهب عائدات هذه الكتب للأعمال الخيرية باسم الحبيبة سمر

Drawings (42) -Sunflowers by Samar

2011-09-13T00:23:00.000+03:00