Amani Alrefae, along with her spouse and children, relocated from Kuwait to Canada three years ago. She finds purpose in aiding others, which brings balance and comfort to her life. Amani, who completed her ESL studies, is now a student in the Social Service Worker program at Sheridan College. She aspires to attain a Bachelor's degree to become a certified social service worker. She recognizes the significance of preserving her mother tongue in the development of her family's social and cultural identity.

A Terrifying Memory 

by Amani Alrefae 

Once, when I was 8 years old, my three brothers and I decided to have a swimming competition in the sea, which was very close to our neighbourhood. My oldest brother ran into the sea first, followed by another brother. I was an impulsive, impetuous girl, so I dashed after them without even thinking. The problem is that I did not know how to swim, and when I realized I could no longer touch the bottom of the sea, I panicked. As my body sank deeper and deeper, the sky disappeared, and I saw fish hiding in dark spots and wavy seaweed that touched my drowning body. I lost consciousness, and when I woke up and opened my eyes, my brothers were crying for help. They thought I was dead or about to die. I got rushed to the hospital, where I received treatment before I was allowed to go back home. This is when I learned not to take poor decisions that may affect my life.