SISTERHOOD
Sister Rawa Zaoud's letter to MWA after last camp:

13 January 2002

United Muslim Women's Association
47 Wangee Rd
Lakemba NSW 2195

Dear Haja Maha, Hajaat and Supervisors,

Assalamu Alaykum. My name is Rawa Zaoud I don't know if you would remember who I am but I shared a room with Norma, Yasmine and Nancy in camp this year. I thought I would write you all a thankyou letter because you all have done a wonderful job when we were there. I remember my first year when I went, which was last year. When we got on the bus ready to leave I told Norma and Yasmine that I didn't want to go anymore. I was about to run off the bus but they held me back wallah I had the best times of my life and I learned a lot. This year's camp I don't think I will ever forget it. The happy times we shared, the talks, the way people shared their stories with us and wallah I barely socialise with new people I'm always with the same friends everyday. I must admit I loved the company of all the sisters and I learned so much about them. Anyway I remembered last year's camp I thought that after I arrive home I'm going to stay on the right path, learn more about our deen, talk to my friends about it. But unfortunately I let the shaytan step all over me when I was aware that I was able to obtain support from my sisters. Alhamdulillah they know about Islam, and they would always be there for me. I hardly enter their houses when they had hadiths I always had something to do with my friends. But this year inshallah I'm so excited to learn more about my deen. At camp this year I received a phone call and I spoke to my sister. I told her when I get back home, Nahla you have to give me a hadith every day and she was so happy to hear me say that. It's only been a day since we came back from camp I slept for 22 hours wallah, I told my family when the time for prayer comes and I don't wake up wet me with water. Well anyway inshallah I'll be the first one to pay for camp next year because it was such a great and memorable experience for me and to meet all the sisters that came with us. Please make sure you give my salam to Hanady and her sister Bassema as well as all the supervisors, teamleaders, hajaat and most of all a special thanks to Haja Maha for the talks she gave us and being there as a friend. It meant so much to me, and Nancy gives her salam and says thanks for the support she received from all of you.

Yours Sincerely,

Rawa Zaoud

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