Tears of the Desert, by Halima Bashir, follows the life of Bashir and her incredible journey facing horrible acts committed by humans and her battle towards survival. Halima a woman of strength and power evolves throughout the story, and these characteristics I have chosen reflect, what I think are, the most critical parts of Halima. Each characteristic I have chosen reflects a specific time in her life where this characteristic has been the most prominent. The first characteristic revolves around Halima’s intelligence. Ever since she was a small girl, her father sensed that Halima was intellectually brighter than both of her brothers, as well as the village children. Since, her father was relatively wealthy Halima was able to afford to go to a proper school. Whether it be middle school or high school or university she was always one of the top students. For example, when she attended high school she graduated second in her entire grade, an incredible achievement for a Black African tribe member at the time. Her love of learning and desire to be the best in her
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As we know, Halima was always willing to help whoever needed medical attention; unfortunately the Sudanese government wasn’t as eager to help the rebels they were fighting. Eventually, Halima was fed up by the government and decided to speak to a reporter so she could say what was really on her mind. This act alone was already an extremely courageous act, talking to a reporter in a country where free speech isn’t seen as a right. She spoke out against the Janjaweed and the crimes they have committed and the government’s involvement in the ongoing genocide. She specifically said, “The real enemy was the government, and those murderous madmen who had set the Janjaweed loose in the first place” (181). She actively goes against the governments warnings so she can help the people in need, risking her life to save the lives of
As we know, Halima was always willing to help whoever needed medical attention; unfortunately the Sudanese government wasn’t as eager to help the rebels they were fighting. Eventually, Halima was fed up by the government and decided to speak to a reporter so she could say what was really on her mind. This act alone was already an extremely courageous act, talking to a reporter in a country where free speech isn’t seen as a right. She spoke out against the Janjaweed and the crimes they have committed and the government’s involvement in the ongoing genocide. She specifically said, “The real enemy was the government, and those murderous madmen who had set the Janjaweed loose in the first place” (181). She actively goes against the governments warnings so she can help the people in need, risking her life to save the lives of