“Eksar El 3ada” Raises Awareness on Dwarfism

By: Zeina Makarem

 

Twenty-five dwarfs attended a two-day event hosted by “Eksar El 3ada,” which translates into ‘Break the Habit,’ to raise awareness and support people with dwarfism.

 

“It was overwhelming, I didn’t expect for [the event] to be that good; I didn’t expect the AUC community to be that friendly about the cause,” said Yasmine Amer, the campaign manager.

 

The campaign was launched by a group of AUC students and the event, which took place at the Bartlett Plaza last Monday, hosted two popular Egyptian artists named Hatem El Sharkawy and Rola Zaki.

 

Essam Shehata, head of the non-governmental dwarf association in Alexandria, said that this was the first time he felt that actual support to dwarfs.

 

He added that the government is not giving them the attention and assistance they need.

 

“We will never stop fighting for our rights and for the coming generations of dwarfs,” said Nesreen Shehata, a dwarf and Shehata’s wife, adding that she thinks that people don’t have an open mind to things they are not accustomed to.

 

Amer said that she believes that she broke the barrier between dwarfs and students at AUC.

 

The Student Union (SU) and The Office of Student Development (OSD) were of great help for her and the group, she added.

 

Justina Hatem, a member of the campaign, told the Caravan that their initial aim was to give dwarfs a reason to “have hope in Egypt.”

 

“I feel happiness that I can’t even begin to explain; giving these people the chance to feel like they belong and that for once they are looked up to instead of down on,” Hatem said.

 

The event featured El Sharkawy, an economics student at AUC who sings in a band named Oriental Fusion, and Zaki, an award-wining Egyptian singer.

 

“I was very touched the moment I saw the dwarfs and I actually felt I was making a difference,” said Sharkawy, adding, “When the dwarfs were singing with me, it was a very rewarding feeling.”

 

The second day of the event did not include the dwarfs, as they had to travel back to Alexandria.

 

However, the campaign team hosted an Egyptian band called, “Us w Laz2,” which translates into ‘Cut and Paste,’ and Mohamed Soliman, a stand-up comedian, to perform in front of the AUC community to continue raising awareness regarding issues that dwarfs face in their day-to-day lives.