By: Anna Vermont

As soon as we arrived, volunteers from the Zajel Program welcomed us with food, smiles, ‎and very warm attentions. It was just the beginning, all the volunteers and other people ‎we've met along the two weeks fussed over us. ‎

Me and other volunteers from all around Europe have spent two unforgettable weeks ‎traveling around West Bank, meeting amazing people, giving workshops, listening to ‎conferences about different aspects of the conflict and about the History of Palestine. ‎Each volunteer had a different story, a different reason to be here and each of them were ‎great people who made the experience even better than expected.‎

Along the trip, we met an ex-prisoner talking about his experience in prison and about the ‎torture he had been through, it was very moving and impressive to discover a way of ‎living that we couldn't even imagine. We went into the prison he had been to and ‎observed the conditions of life there. At the end of the experience, it was impossible not ‎to feel concerned by their cause so it confirmed my decision to go back and help in any ‎way I could.‎

We also had the chance to meet a priest who talked to us about his hope over a one state ‎solution. Along the sad moments we witnessed, seeing someone full of hope and ‎different suggestions felt like a relieve.‎

We listened to several interesting conferences about the economic issue in Palestine, the ‎access of water issue, and the history of Palestine. All the people we met were very open ‎minded, happy to answer any of our questions.‎

Along the conferences, I also discovered a beautiful country and wonderful landscapes. ‎We went to the Jordan Valley, to several villages, to visit the Samaritans, to meet people ‎living in caves because of the demolished houses policy. Even though the life of the ‎Palestinians is not always easy within the current situation, we've been always surrounded ‎by very sweet people, with a hospitality beyond compare.‎

Thanks to the workshops, we've participated in many debates and cultural exchanges. The ‎students were eager to hear more about our lives, our opinion and were always happy to ‎tell us more about their culture and their feelings on the conflict but also on any other ‎question we asked. They all played the game whatever the debate, game, or work we ‎suggested.‎

The schedule was busy but just perfectly balanced so we can get the time to make the ‎most of it, as well as getting the time to know each other good enough to become friends. ‎I'll come again soon and meet again with the volunteers and students we met there. ‎Thanks to Zajel program, the idea of organizing such an exchange is amazing.‎