Extra Curricular essay: Hope / Doubt

Doubt. It is what I saw in her eyes; the eyes of the girl whose race mine was supposed to hate. The civil war that had ravaged my country had come to an end, but the scars it had left behind were yet to be healed. Our conference towards reconciliation aimed to do this job. It had been hard work organizing it, but the real challenge, we knew, was yet to come. Being the leader of a group of individuals that consisted of all of Sri Lanka's ethnicities; some of whose language I could neither speak nor understand, was not an easy task. Prashani, a young girl who had been brought up in the heart of the war had been taught since childhood that my race was not one to be trusted.

Four days later, it is the Cultural Night at camp and she indicates she wants me to wear her traditional dress. It is her way of saying she has accepted me; I learn that it is more poignant than any words that could have been spoken. As she carefully places a 'mottu' on my forehead, she smiles at me. I see a flash of hope.

Does it work as an extra curricular essay? Comments greatly appreciated, I will return the favour!

How about write some specific thing you did with her, small conversations or something else. I would like to know how your changed the girl's attitude toward you. O(∩_∩)O~