Trina Mansoor, 35, grew up in the Netherlands. She is married and has two boys. She has two older siblings. Trina lost her parents before moving to Europe when she was just 7 years old. “Since then, books and writing became my refuge,” she says. Pursuing her dream to become an author, Trina wrote her first piece of writing, “Homeless Eyes,” in the Dutch language at the age of 13.

“As I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, I see a young girl with striking, emerald-green eyes. These eyes convey a sense of gravity, yet also a delicate vulnerability. Is it only me who notices this? While I often receive compliments on the color of my eyes, no one truly grasps the profoundness of my gaze or the turmoil hidden within. Yet, I am not a victim, I reassure myself. One day, I will reveal myself to the world, not out of a desire for pity, but because I am a fighter through and through, and always will be.” An excerpt from Homeless Eyes.

Currently, Trina is employed at Netzwerk für traumatisierte Flüchtlinge, where she initially started as an interpreter in therapy sessions. Now, she is involved in a psychosocial outreach project. “The aspect of my job that I find most fulfilling is working with Farsi-speaking women who are refugees and require social support to assimilate into society. Many of these women have experienced significant trauma, and I can empathize with their experiences. Providing support to my clients and helping them regain mental and social stability brings me immense gratification.” She is pleased with her work and appreciates the support she and her team can offer refugees. 

Her initial experiences in the West were challenging, as she endured significant hardships. “A deeper insight into my narrative would elucidate the difficulties I encountered.” The primary struggles she faced revolved around issues of identity. “Having been born in Afghanistan and raised in the Netherlands, the clash between two distinct cultures posed substantial challenges. There were moments when she felt conflicted, unsure of where she truly belonged. “Western culture, known for its open-mindedness, stood in stark contrast to the prevailing mindset among many Afghans, who are preoccupied with societal perceptions. This dissonance troubled me deeply.” Nonetheless, despite embracing the live-and-let-live ethos of the Western world, her roots run deep in Afghanistan, and she has managed to strike a harmonious balance between her heritage and the lifestyle she aspires to lead.

Trina offers the following recommendations to other Afghans and refugees who recently came to Germany: “Mastering the German language is crucial for effective communication, integration, and success in various aspects of life in Germany. Integration is key to building relationships and feeling at home in a new country. In addition to that, understand that adapting to a new culture may present challenges, but being open-minded and willing to embrace differences will ultimately enrich your experience. Show respect for the German way of life while staying true to your own cultural heritage.” She also emphasizes people’s need to embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in their new home.

She admires the German mindset. “They exhibit great passion for their work. I have German friends and feel warmly embraced within their community,” Trina says. 

Last year Trina published her first book, her autobiography, a book of short stories called „Wüstenrose„ (“Desert Rose”). She is now working on her second book. “I am dedicated to furthering liberation through my efforts and writing contributions. Ultimately, I aim to create a significant legacy for the generations to come.”

In the future, Trina envisions herself making a significant impact. “I aspire to raise my sons with the belief that gender equality is paramount! I am determined to challenge societal taboos and advocate for the rights of girls and women. It is disappointing that the women’s movement, the most successful social movement of our era, is often overlooked in school curricula. Through my writings and readings, I hope to spark change and inspire others to join the cause.”

Trina is proud of Afghan women and other women who are raising their voices and striving to make the world aware of the abandonment of women in Afghanistan. She calls this the global sisterhood movement. 

”Through the ’Women, Life, Freedom’ movement, hundreds of thousands of Iranians and others have spoken out about the situation of women in Iran, yet the world turns a blind eye to the condition of women in Afghanistan, leaving Afghan women to their fate. This deeply saddens me. I implore my fellow Afghans and the world not to look away. Afghan girls and women have been deprived of education for over 1,000 days now! This is simply unacceptable. Afghanistan requires educated women. A woman’s most powerful tool is her education, and without it, there is no future!”

Even though she enjoys freedom, her conscience does not feel liberated. “My mother, a teacher and a devoted feminist, tragically lost her life while aiding young girls and women at that time. How can I turn a blind eye, knowing that my mother dedicated herself to fighting for the rights of girls and women? My parents were very democratic people; they lost their lives for freedom.” She aspires to be an advocate for women. “It’s a difficult endeavor, yet not unattainable.”

Recently, Trina received a message from an Afghan girl who said to her, “You have spoken on my behalf, but now I can speak for myself.” This brought Trina immense joy. “Women should assert their rights, even in challenging circumstances, even when viewed as inferior. The initial steps are always the hardest. However, you have only one life, and it belongs solely to you.”