Under The Olive Trees

Noor J.

My month spent under the remaining olive trees in Palestine will forever be burned into my memory.

I grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but am currently studying in the US. During my time in Palestine I volunteered at an organization in Nablus where I had the opportunity to work with young children and teach conversational English to mothers in a nearby village. I was overwhelmed by how welcoming everyone was, but also horrified by endless days riddled with Israeli checkpoints in between various Palestinian towns in the West Bank. I explored Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Akka and even crossed the notorious Qalandiya border between the West Bank and Jerusalem.

I expect to return to Palestine soon.