“I study psychology. During the first days of my studies, they gave us an assignment where all the students had to talk to a complete stranger about their struggles. I remember walking around all day trying to find the courage to do so but I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready. So I looked up to the sky and I talked to god. I shared everything that was weighing on my heart. I was upset with myself that I couldn’t find the courage to talk to a stranger. I always knew that sharing your struggles with other people is hard but that day I actually experienced how difficult it can be..”
(Tunis, Tunisia)

“I have been unemployed for more than a year. I have been trying to find a job but it is not easy. The hardest part about being unemployed is that you feel as if your life is being put on hold. I have friends who have good jobs and they have enough money to get married and buy things. It is not easy but my dad taught me to not be jealous. He always said that the only person you should compare yourself to, is who you were yesterday. So that is what I am trying to do.”
(Tunis, Tunisia)

“If I had to choose between my diploma or my falcon I would choose my falcon. I have a master degree but it has never given me any opportunity. My bird, his name Massaoud has given a me a life. Thanks to him I can feed my children. For the past 18 years, we are here, waiting for tourist who want to take a picture with Massaoud. My father, who was also working with falcons taught me to take good care of animals. Some people with the same job, they clip their bird’s wings which means their bird is no longer able to fly. I would never do that to Massaoud. Clipping his wings is like stealing his identity. I treat him like he is my child. Every night, when we come home after a long day I let him free. He deserves to be happy.”
(Sidi Bou Said, Tunis)

“His dad passed away a while back in car accident. It has been really difficult for all of us. I am his grandfather and I know that I can not replace his father but I am trying to be a strong male figure in his life. Driss is a little shy so I always try to cheer him up and give him a lot of confidence. We are from Benghazi and we came to Tunis for doctor check up. We are staying a little longer to spend some quality time together. This boy is my life. I don’t know what I would do without him.”
(Tunis, Tunisia)

“It was really scary but two months ago I decided to quit my job as a lawyer and travel the world. Even though I didn’t like it my work, it was giving me a sense of security. So far I have in Bali, Turkey, Lebanon, Myanmar and Sri Lanka and now I am here in Tunisia. I know that eventually I will have to go back to working in corporate which gives me a bit of anxiety. Having a career is important but being able to live in the moment, like I am doing right now just feels really good.”
(Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia