YES Students recently shared their thoughts on International Tolerance Day (November 16th) through art and writing. Here is some of their work:

Kainat from Pakistan sent pictures of her artwork and this message:

"Happy Tolerance Day!! We are one but we are many."

Erta from Albania also submitted artwork and wrote this:

"This is my piece of art I made for Tolerance Day. Share our similarities and celebrate our difference, because we all smile in the same language!" 

Nurhafeiza from the Philippines wrote:

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF TOLERANCE !!!

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, his background, or his religion."

                                                                  - Nelson Mandela

Tolerance with my host family, my classmates and teachers at Earl Warren High School, and my AYUSA family were all definitely SUPERB. Honestly, as I left my country, my family and I had this great fear that I might be rejected, bullied, and mocked, and would not able to practice my faith freely as I do. My mother even tried to stop me from going and pursuing this program, but because of my strong determination and thirst to come, I still came. I gave them my assurance that I would be a strong and faithful Muslim Filipina, no matter what.

To my great surprise, all those presumptions, expectations and fears subsided...it all turned out to be the exact opposite! My everyday life here in San Antonio, Texas, spent with my loving host family, friendly classmates and teachers, is indeed amazing. I am waking up each day with a smile on my face, inspired to do my daily routines thinking that it will be another great day that awaits.

At home, the degree of tolerance that my host family shows me is even beyond expectation. I am free as a bird - I can do whatever I want, and I am so grateful to them. My Muslim religion is never an issue and hindrance in their dealings with me. We respect each other's beliefs, traditions and cultures. To attest to that, during the "Eid'l Adha Al Mubarak," a Muslim celebration, they celebrated it as well. I was so overwhelmed, and my family back in Philippines were so happy to know it. I am free to pray obligatory prayers five times a day with full respect, I can wear my hijab/ scarf without any questions, and I can talk to my host family anytime I want to. They listen to my stories and ideas, and allow me to share my culture in a positive environment. My host parents have also offered to drive me to the Mosque, an Islamic Institution here at San Antonio. When I am sad, they are also there to listen to my sentiments and give me a warm hug  I often miss my real family because of the love they are showing to me.

With all these kind gestures, I also respect their beliefs, cultures, and religions. I go with them to church most of the time, and I enjoy those times spent with them. Just recently, I joined my little siblings in celebrating the Halloween Day, which is prohibited for us Muslims to celebrate because it is a form of paganism. With all honesty, in my heart I only did it for the sake of my little siblings, they were so excited to celebrate it with me and that they even lent me a costume. I could not bear to reject and make them feel sad just because it is not celebrated in my religion. RESPECT is what binds my host family and me together.

At my school, everyone is just as open-minded and are very nice to me. I wear my hijab as part of my Muslim identity, and to my delight, they show respect and never question me or my faith. I am inspired to spend my day with the people at my school because I feel so welcome there. They are so kind and appreciate me whenever I get high scores. I never feel so different from them, I can mingle with them with no hesitations at all. My teachers are  also so kind and approachable, and make me feel welcome and liked.

My YES family makes me feel that I belong and the welcome they showed me has melted my heart. I love all of them, and I feel the oneness and unity among us. No racial discrimination, and we can share stories, jokes and laughs freely.

I am so blessed to be here. Texan people are truly amazing and open-minded, are ready to accept all of life's perspectives and realities, and just love living their lives in peace. If I were asked to come back again....I would be adamant to say "Yes!" and be back again and again! San Antonio,Texas is my home away from home.