Irshad, Jordan

Children need to learn how to care for mother earth, rather than how to resolve the political conflicts.

We tend to focus a lot on the political conflicts in the region, but we really need to start focusing on the environment. Unfortunately, many people in Jordan are not educated about climate change and the limitations of natural resources. The environment does not have any borders, so this is an issue where different people from the region can come together. I feel that once people have a bigger cause to fight for, they won’t need to fight with one another, so let’s have that cause be mother earth.

Growing up in an area where there was war because of land and oil, and where water was provided only once a week, taught me to realize how precious resources are. The next generation needs to remember the things that really matter, which is taking care of one another and taking care of the land they live on. Irshad is a center that provides psychological services and educational consulting in Jordan and throughout the region. I want to educate mothers, because they’re the ones who decide what products to buy and who ultimately shape the children.

People who are not afraid to dream truly inspire me.