Holly Kilroy – Ireland

I could never have imagined the time I have spent here in Palestine. We all know about the conflict but no one can possibly realize the extent of it till they’re here. Every single person has a story to tell; every single person, a tragedy. And still, we did not find a broken people, but a people strong, proud, ambitious and full of a joy for life.

We came here expecting to teach kids and see what life was like in Palestine. Instead we have learnt more than a thousand books could teach us. We have not only seen what life is like here, we have lived it. We have felt the sorrow and the anger as well as sharing so many laughs and smiles.

The people of Nablus are the most welcoming people I have ever met and the kids are just fantastic. So energetic, enthusiastic – classes were never boring! Despite all the troubles they face on a daily bases they laugh and play as if without a care in the world. So many are so smart, we can only hope they get the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Yet we know now, the sad reality is that many of them won’t. Checkpoint hold ups, humiliation, falling in with the wrong crowd and being witness to the horrendous war crimes of the Israelis: these stifle the potential of so many one could almost give up hope.

But then we look to the local volunteers of Zajel and of Askar. These people have strived to make a difference. Despite the difficulties that each and every one of them has faced, still face and will face, they work to help people in the same situation as themselves, to help foster a better future for the people of Palestine. I really do wish we had more people like this back home.

All our worries and complaints seem so petty and meaningless standing next to them. Our three weeks in Palestine have taught us the fatal danger of our ignorance, a few words of Arabic, and most of all an awe inspiring lesson in the strength of the human spirit. Hopefully what we contribute is not just contained in these three weeks but instead what happens from here, what we say and do when we get home.

In our hearts and in our minds,

This is the start of something big.

Thank you Zajel, thank you Askar

Thank you Palestine