The Power of Story

Em Ahmad was only 13 years old when she had to flee Palestine and come to the Shatila refugee camp. There were lots of trees, good running water, and few people got sick. Homes were made out of canvas and not concrete. She has lived in the same refugee house since that time in 1963. Since then, there is now over 30,000 people in Shatila causing massive overcrowding and lots of disease. Did I read about Em Ahmad and her experience, and the refugee camp. No, I heard it from Em herself and saw the refugee camp with my own eyes through the innovative technology of VR in "Lives on Hold In Lebanon."

Many people claim that technology distracts students from their work and teenagers here it all the time. But, I believe in many cases like this one, technology can not only be used to teach the material, but teach it better. VR provides a glimpse into the environment and lifestyle of people living in all regions of the world. I now know the lifestyles, homes and experiences of many Palestinian and Syrian refugees fleeing from war.

The basis of their buildings not built right, many rooms provide no sunlight or oxygen. I was able to see the bundles and tangles of pipes carrying electricity crossing with the water pipes. Alleyways filled with disease as waste leaks into them. Hearing kids and their desire to succeed in life, and go to school, but not possessing the funds to do so. And even with the right education, most cannot get jobs as they are trapped inside their camp. I saw refugees setting up projects to help families who lost their children in the war, helping them to cope and overcome their loss. This was all possible from the use of technology and the VR experience. There are just some things that a textbook can never compare to. The power of a story is truly remarkable, especially stories like Em's. The use of technology and VR, putting the reader instead into her world makes the power of story even greater.