Last time we had a lesson, we discussed the Nobel Prizes (who have won them and what they are). Thus, I searched for some information on the web.
The Nobel Prizes are a set of annual international awards, bestowed in several categories on people who are then regarded as Nobel laureates. They include the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, the Nobel Prize in Literature, the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Prize in Physiology.
To be honest, I didn’t know what the Nobel Peace Prize was, so I found out that it has been awarded annually to those who have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations and for the holding of peace congresses (I also didn’t know what ‘’peace congresses’’ are and discovered that they are something like diplomatic meetings where it is decided how a war could be prevented or how to preserve peace.)
The first winner of the Nobel Peace Prize was Jean Henry Dunant on 10/12/1901. Jean Henry Dunant was a Swiss businessman, social activist and the founder of ‘’The Red Cross’’. The Red Cross is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 17 million volunteers, which was founded to protect human health, life and rights.
While searching for the winners of the Prizes I was amazed by the story of Nadia Murad, the first Iraqi girl who was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. I would like to tell you about what I have just read!
Nadia Murad was kidnapped from her hometown, Kojo, and was held by the Islamic State for three months! During her time in captivity, she was sold several times and was subjected to sexual and physical abuse, while six of her brothers were killed. I didn’t find out exactly how she escaped, but I read two of her interviews where she described in detail what she went through while she was kidnapped by I-S-I-S. It is really shocking; her story left me speechless. Also, girls like her still exist and the saddest fact is that they are helpless. Nevertheless, Nadia Murad has been awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for her effort to end the use of sexual violence as a ‘’weapon’’ of war and armed conflict.
To conclude, there are so many great people out there for whom we don’t know anything! I would highly recommend you read Nadia’s interview, which is called ‘’My Story of Captivity”.
Name: Nicole Keisidi
Advanced Class – Diagora School
