Nagusa -“It is important to have your own life.”

“”My name is Nagusa, I am 75 years old. I came from Ethiopia  to Israel 19 years ago with my husband and children when I was no longer very young. My husband said I didn’t need to work, just stay at home and take care of him and the children, like it was back there… So that’s what I did. But I wish I hadn’t listened to him. I didn’t learn to speak the language properly and didn’t make friends outside the home.

My children are really doing well here. They studied and have good jobs. But when my husband died, I was left completely alone. It was hard. I was so sad and didn’t talk to anyone for a long time. At first, I was afraid to send the children to school, but their education contributed to their success in life.”

“To a young woman, I want to say, go to work, study, and have friends. Don’t just stay at home because someone told you to. It is important to have your own life and not end up lonely when you are old. I learned this too late, maybe you can learn it in time…”

“I was alone and sad for a long time. Then I found a place, a club for women like me. We meet three times a week. It is good. They are like a new family for me. I don’t feel so lonely anymore. I don’t want to go back to my empty house. It is better with my new friends…”