Tomorrow's World: 'I pray for a better tomorrow'

The children of today are the adults of tomorrow. They shape the future and reflect our progress. What are the hopes and aspirations of our kids? How do they see themselves contributing to a better world? What do they feel, think, believe and desire? Every week, we zoom in on the youth living in the Emirates, and hear what they have to say

Child of the Week: Angela Simiriotis

"Once upon a time there was a man from Ireland named Bob Geldof. He sang many beautiful songs.

"One day he went to Africa, and saw many children there who were very hungry. They looked like skeletons. He got many famous people to sing a song called We are the World. Many people loved the song, they bought a lot of tapes. The money helped feed the children of Africa.

"Today I hear big people talk about the children in Palestine and Iraq. They are also hungry and dying too. I wish that we, the children of the world, could make a song for the children of the Arab world."

"So writes Angela Simiriotis, an eight-year-old student at Al Mawakeb School in Dubai. An Irish national, she hails from a multi-cultural background that comprises ancestry of Greek, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian roots.

Tolerance and mutual respect for every culture is what her mother Selma and father Chris Simiriotis like to emphasise. A teacher and bank manager respectively, they seek to instill an awareness of world events and humane concerns in their two daughters, Angela and four-year-old Leena. Along with teaching the Arabic values of respecting elders, family, and traditions, they want them to pursue the Irish traits of acceptance and simplicity.

What began as a basic project for English class has become a poetic expression of Angela's desire to see a better world. Any small act of kindness can yield big results. As the year 2002 comes to an end, we anticipate a new beginning in 2003, one filled with hope, and pray for a better tomorrow.

She says:

When I watch the news on Al Manar channel or see pictures of children suffering in places like Palestine and Iraq, it makes me very sad. They can't go to school without being afraid of bombs and guns. They can't go to the pharmacy and buy cough syrup when they catch a cold. They are not as lucky as us, because they are always scared of being killed or hurt.

I was very impressed by my second cousin, Helen who came to stay with us last month. She is the daughter of Christina Noble and also famous for all the good things she does to help unlucky children. She gives them money for food and medicines, finds houses for them to live in, and tries to make them happy.

My mom and I found some bookmarks with photos of small children being dragged by soldiers and hiding from dangerous tanks. So, we designed our own T-shirts which says Occupation is Terrorism. That means, when you stay in someone else's land, it leads to acts of violence. Whenever I wear it, people ask me where I got it. Maybe when I grow up I will make things to sell, and collect money for unfortunate children that way. What I have learned is every little thing you do counts for them.

I want to become a marine biologist as an adult. Sharks fascinate me the most. Going to the beach is always fun, because nature and being outdoors is what I love. In school, science is my favourite subject, and I have some medals in swimming and tennis. It is important to study because when I become a mother, I need to be able to teach my kids.

My dad is a wonderful musician and has taught me how to sing and play the piano. I think music has a wonderful magic that can touch your heart and make you happy. My Irish grandmother told me stories of Bob Geldof and other musicians whose music has reached out to people all over the world.

During Ramadan this year, I fasted for the first time. Surprisingly, it was not very difficult. I stayed up till late, went to fun fairs, woke up early to pray, and broke the fast to the sound of the cannon. The best part was the Eid presents I received. We have also put up a Christmas tree. Festivals are a happy time for us, and I pray to God that all the children in the world can celebrate with joy, too.