By: Baptiste, Belgium

This is Baptiste from Belgium and I joined the International Youth Exchange Program (Zajel) September Camp in Nablus. If I had to describe this experience, it will take me a thousand word and it is really difficult to know which one is the most accurate one. If today someone asks me what this camp was all about, I will certainly answer ‘sharing‘. We shared stories, we shared values, we shared privileged moments. I met great people with strong personality who helped me to feel at ease since the beginning; a funny story with Baraa, good discussion about food with Ramsis, I could say a good story about all the local volunteer and why they were so important in this camp; Silwady, Maha, Athar, Noora, Tawfiq.. I’m not even able to remember all the names.

This camp also shows me ‘how I was wrong ‘, I had a wrong representation, false idea, bad comprehension about the situation here. Now I have a better understanding and I can affirm that all the people here are great people and people who deserve a better future, better perspectives, a better life. If I can change something when I will be back in Belgium, even if it is a little thing I will try! Right now the best thing that I can do is telling the story about what is happening here, showing that most of the people are wrong, changing their mind. I sincerely hope that in the future more and more people will come and discover this beautiful country, its culture, its inhabitants…

Being here makes me go throw a lot of feeling; the anger in Hebron to the calm of the desert. That is why all the activities are so important because the best way to discover the country is by discovering the good, but also the bad thinks. I’m very glad that coordinator of Zajel Program was there to explain us everything in a way where I didn’t feel uncomfortable or hate but in a way where everybody was free to develop his own opinion. It is still hard for me to give my opinion, to explain my thoughts, it will take me time but what is certain is the fact that I want to come back, I want to find a way to help. It will take me days if I want to tell how Important and great this camp was! I sincerely wish that more people will come here and participate! I also want to thank the team, all the volunteer, the university and all the time and the attention that they gave to us, It is like a debt that cannot be repaid to all the team from this camp.