The courage to hope for a better life

All revolution is a matter of daughters not wanting to be like their mothers, says internationally reknowned author Suzanne Brøgger. She is one of the creative and visionary people, whom we have invited to share their thoughts about mentoring and learning through networks on this website. Some were inspired by real life stories from KVINFOs mentor network. We also asked them about important mentors in their own lives.

Be inspired and join the discussion!

Suzanne Brøgger, author:

"Reading the story of Shukria and Sanne, I recall visiting Shukria's native country. I remember Afghanistan as a fairy tale - and one of the few muslim countries where a Western woman could walk alone in the streets without being pestered. Unveiled Afghan women were as numerous as veiled. (I bought a bright red chador for fun but had to realize that it´s impossible to drive a car in such an outfit.)

I remember Afghanistan as a country where girls went to school, at least in the cities - and where the minister of health was a woman. I interviewed her. Afghanistan is a country so dear to my heart that I cannot even begin to mourn the suffering of generations of civilians throughout decades of ravaging war.

So the most uplifting news coming out of Afghanistan these days is reflecting the courage of Afghan women. Especially those who risk their lives by insisting on teaching in girls´ schools. These teachers are the guarantee that Afghan girls will become dignified and educated citizens ready to participate in the creation of a hopeful future for their country. I believe that Shukria´s sister must be such a praiseworthy teacher that Shukria can be proud of. Good luck to Shukria and Sanne!

The first mentor
Mother is the first mentor we meet. Mothers are always our role models and our helpers, sometimes the reverse. All evolution is a matter of children not wanting to be like their parents. All revolution is a matter of daughters not wanting to be like their mothers.

In my lifetime women have become much better off than their foremothers. More freedom and more opportunities. But we've also become less well off in a more interesting way. Our mothers weren't particularly well-educated, often lazy and irresponsible and rebellious in their own peculiar way. I didn't want to be like them, I wanted to be something else, although I had no idea what.

I would think - and now I'm following my imagination - that many of the women refugees have mothers left behind in the land of their birth, and that the very reason they fled was that they didn't want to be like them. They didn't want to stay behind in the village like their mothers while the bombs rained down. Or wait to be surprised by armed house-guests, and be subjected to atrocities. They didn't want to queue for hours on end holding a feeding bowl in a local refugee camp, like their mothers had for years on end and just gone along with it.

The women who fled ran a risk because they wouldn't live the lives of their mothers. They wanted to live a different life, a new life, which they have sometimes had the energy to share with their mothers. With their daughters, at least."

What do you think?
How is the courage and risk-taking involved in the decision to flee one's country in the hope of a better life best respected in mentoring for refugees?  Please comment below.