Feiruz, Palestinian living in Israel, young leader

"Thanks to Creativity for Peace, I feel I belong in this world and that my voice can be heard and people know about me. Thanks to Creativity for Peace, I have begun to see that we are all equal and to see others as they really are. I have stopped asking people where they are from and now ask who they are and what points of view they have. I have changed for the better. I have more confidence, in myself and in others. I have erased the expression, "the other side," because we all share the same world."

Baraa, Palestinian living in Israel, young leader

"Last week I was invited to talk about the elections in my village in the name of all the young people who are about to vote for the first time. I was given the opportunity to talk in front of about 5,000 people in a huge celebration! I gave a 10-minute speech in which I invited our youth to vote according their beliefs and not their parents. It was great!! Thinking back to that moment I can't imagine myself doing such a thing ever if it wasn't for Creativity for Peace. It gave me all the courage in the world to just stand up there and the willingness to change and speak up. That day made me believe even more in our cause and gave me even more hope that we really can make a change in our lives and the lives of the people around us!"

Sivan, Jewish Israeli, young leader

"I am involved with Creativity for Peace because I want to know the real people and not the people as they are portrayed in the media. My life and my personality have changed since my involvement. I am not who I used to be."

Diana, Palestinian, young leader

"My attitude has changed a lot since I first participated in Creativity for Peace's programs. Now I understand that the "other side" are human beings who suffer a lot from the conflict. I have learned how to treat people – to count on their personality not on their nationality. Now I have close friends from the other side. My mind is more open. I have gained the power to face other people and to tell them of my experience. I don't know what to say besides that my life has changed for the better in many ways."

Adi, Jewish Israeli, young leader

"The two years that I've been part of this sacred organization have given me so much for my future life, even more than I can say in words. I think that every girl that comes to this camp is leaving with something in her heart, and that's what makes all the difference in the world."

Amira, Palestinian, young leader

"As a young leader, I keep in touch with all the girls from both sides and keep them updated with news of Creativity for Peace. In meetings I help the staff all that I can. I see my role back home to help spread the word about peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Peace is hard to achieve. It will only come by letting people know how girls from both sides have become friends and how we must forgive the past and talk about our experiences living in peace with the people we have been taught are our enemy."