Palestinian grandmother earns her degree aged 85
This 85 year-old grandmother just got her college degree
Location: Kfar Bara, Israel
Palestinian Jihad Butto graduated from the Kfar Bara Center for Islamic Studies
where she enrolled at the age of 81
She took courses in languages, religion and mathematics
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN FRESH UNIVERSITY GRADUATE, JIHAD BUTTO, SAYING:"I had the chance to study. When I hear about an opportunity for education, I go for it. Last time when I applied to Kfar Bara, everyone around me knew how much I loved education and I usually read books but not textbooks. They told me about Kfar Bara certificate and asked me if I would like to join. I said wherever there is education I will go. Then two friends registered me and I studied there."
The mother of seven dropped out of school in 1948
when she was 12 years old
Butto says she now teaches other women in her community
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN FRESH UNIVERSITY GRADUATE, JIHAD BUTTO, SAYING: "The teacher used to talk a lot about me, and he made me an example to students. When I graduated, people asked the school's dean if they were helping me. He said no, on the contrary, I was helping the other students in various topics."
