About time

There are two reasons why one should NOT procrastinate when it comes to blogs. One is that so much time has passed that you have to sit and really think about what went on the day you want to write about that happened...sheesh 4 months ago! With a memory like mine it is a very difficult task. Two is that I really wanted to attach photos to this post but unfortunately my poor computer got hit by lightning a couple of weeks ago and I've only just sent it to get fixed which will take another two weeks!! One becomes so lost without technology nowadays and everyone at home is getting edgy without the computer. So I now have to post today's post without pictures. Will put them up when my computer is fully recovered. In the meantime...

...in order to think about what I was going to write I have been reading a few of the old posts to get my mind back into the convoy mode. Really makes me miss everyone and the whole experience but it really saddens me due to the horrific events that are happening in Syria right now. It is so confusing to know what the truth is but I do know that looking at other countries who have other countries getting involved in their business have turned into nothing but destruction and chaos. I just pray for all the Syrians, especially those I met on my trip. The people I met were just amazing and so friendly, especially the couple who joined us and the wife became my flatmate for awhile in Jordan as her husband had to go back for work. I really do hope and pray they are okay.

Actually thinking about it, it is very hard to write this post without pictures. What I will write is that I was very good and woke up at 7am to help rearrange the aid that was delivered that night before and load them into the vans. There was a bit of confusion on what to put were but we sorted it out after a few hours. Quick breakfast, said goodbye to our hosts the Palestinian National Council and off we went to the border between Jordan and Syria. Thinking about our border crossings, this was the smoothest one we went through but I had the most traumatic public toilet experience that you could now take me to any public toilet and I will be able to handle it. It was that bad and I won't describe it here. And dad has been saying for years that the one thing he worries about is how am I going to handle the toilet situation hehe. Well dad, I did it! No need for the portable toilet at the back of the vehicle :p

Just had a thought....my Facebook pictures!!

Assessing how to load the medical aid...great Babaji :)

 Load it up boys!

I love this pic as it looks like Faz is directing Faisal on what to do

Carole assessing how many more boxes can fit inside...what would we do without Carole!

All lined up and waiting to go

Hello Jordan!

Yey for Facebook! Oh yes and I remember, we almost left two guys behind as we left straight on the dot whatever time it was we were supposed to leave and they were not there. Was funny seeing them running towards us. Taught us that if a time is set a time is set, whether you're there or not.

Going into Jordan was so different then all the countries we had passed. For one, all you could see was flat land with hardly anything around. I think at that point I had taken so many scenic pictures that I hardly took any of going into Jordan.

Flat and bare lands of Jordan

Thinking about it, that day was a long day. From getting up very early in the morning to driving through flat and bare land. Then we sat waiting by the side of the road just outside Amman for absolutely ages! When we got to this spot it was very hot and sunny. When we left, it was completely dark. What happened, we were told, is that we were waiting for the Jordanian police escort to escort us to the place we wanted to go. I don't know what took them so long but apparently it was a different area of Jordan hence we had to wait for that area police to arrive. Whatever it was it took ages and we all started to get hungry and edgy. Crisps, melted chocolate and sandwiches started coming out. The highlight was Faz finding a very tiny tortoise shown below. So cute!! Think the guys that were staying at the place we had pulled up too owned it. 

So after waiting a very long time for this police escort we finally made a move into Amman. Whatever way they took us really was going through real back ways of the city and I think I remember passing a KFC 3 times...and think it was the same one hahaha. Anywayz, we finally made it to our destination which was the Syndicate where doctors, lawyers, professors, engineers etc go too. These poor people had been waiting for us all day as they were hosting an event in support for the Palestinian Prisoners and some students were following the hunger strike for support. However because we arrived so late, most people had to leave and would be back the following day to see us. We did sit and talk with the students who were fasting and they had been going everyday since the hunger strikes had started. They told us about the prisoners who were on hunger strikes and all the ridiculous charges they had been sentenced. There is no justice into why they are in prison in the first place.

After a very long day we finally went to our apartments and I was feeling so ill at this point and just passed out. Next day was horrid for me but will explain it another time :)

Time waits for no one

I really am a procrastinator. I can't believe I have been back 3 months now and I still haven't finished writing about the convoy, yet done anything else I had set myself to do either. Time keeps going on and it is up to us whether we keep up with it or stay stuck. It's about time I roll with it.

It kinda makes you sit back and think what have I been doing? I guess trying to find myself is something I have been trying to do. You come back from a huge trip like the convoy and really have to assess questions that linger at the back of your mind, for me probably from the voices of others and this isn't good as it is mostly the negative. Questions such as was it a good idea to go? Did I really achieve anything? Did I even help at all? Was it purely a selfish trip? Did I disappoint everyone? Those that supported me? Why was I so mistaken in my calculations and in huge debt now? Was I really that difficult? I could go on and explain the spiral I have taken myself on.

But then 2 things can happen that make you really shut that voice in your head. One was an email I got from CFTA, the NGO in Gaza that they were able to get the items that we passed on to wonderful Seba in Cairo to pass to them. These included the laptop, books and camera that were donated from MSRI and GBP500 that I had kept aside from the donations I had received since the vehicles is still stuck in Jordan. The money will be used towards children's activities and they had sent some pictures to show the NGO leaders with the items. Looking at them I cried. Something had been achieved. It wasn't exactly everything that I had pictured but when does life ever go according to one's plans? It was something as my friends always tell me. However small, it is something. I have to repeat this to myself every time the horrid voices start. I will admit though that it helped...but I was still struggling. Well still am struggling but I am getting there.

The next thing to happen was I turned 28 3 days ago. My birthday has been an event that has been hard for me to cope with ever since mum passed. The birthdays were always a goal she had achieved. Another year she had lived and she always made it into a big deal and no matter how sick she was or how hard up we were, we just HAD to celebrate. The first year she passed i didn't honour her tradition and memory and instead insisted to my family that I just wanted to get onto a plane and sleep through my birthday. Its been 6 years now since she passed on and I still feel like doing that. Sleeping through it so I don't feel her absence. How are you supposed to celebrate with your mum? But then, Jemma, you're not the only one that does it so just go with it. This is what I told myself when my birthday was coming up this year...and I'm grateful for those who are with me, my family and friends as they so kindly organised a surprise dinner party for me and it was so good though I had to say a very brief speech and not really say what I was really thinking for I would have cried. Well its my party and I could cry if I wanted too but perhaps I didn't want to cry and just remain as happy as one could be when they are fighting sadness. But what was really nice that day was some of the messages from friends even if they were thousands of miles away. They kept saying how I should be proud of what I have achieved. Proud? Me? Really? This was something I was struggling with. One whole year had passed and I felt I was worse then last year. But after that wonderful night had ended and I spent the next day reading touching messages, I had a thought. My gosh it has been one tough year. I'm sorry if I sound like I'm whining away but it has been.

Last year before my 27th birthday I felt like I was starting to sink. Then came the many doctors trying to treat my depression. Then the dramas in my life happened. Then the recovery process of finding people who tried to understand and help and finding the right doctor and therapist for me. Then my determination of going on the convoy and recovering from the drama and after effects of that. Bloody hell what a year. Now you just ask yourself this question...are you glad you went through it? For me, yes. As much as it has been so tough looking back and seeing yourself gradually falling then suddenly rolling to rock bottom and still trying to claw your way up, I'm glad I went through it. I guess people are right. I am strong or at least trying to be. Trying to not give up.

So I am going to end here by saying thank you and you know who your are. Without all of you I couldn't have gotten through what felt like hell or gone and done something that I have been dreaming too since I got into being an activist. Life really does suck....but its less sucky when you're not alone. And I know I'm not alone.

Thank you

My wonderful family...with mum's fav flowers

Fab friends who remind me to celebrate

Syria Leg - day 2

I'm still in London trying to get a flight home but since I'm feeling a lil better I thought it's best I continue my blog :)

So day 2 in Syria. Like insaid earlier we got a wake up call at 6am. This day was when not only was I sick but then started to develop the flu and was a bit bogged up. So went to get changed and all and was told breakfast is upstairs. Was so funny as at 7:15am the receptionist calls and says 'it's 7:15 now what are you doing?" so I reply "we are going for breakfast" and he says "ah ok very good". It was just so funny to me at that time in the morning. So off we went but as we came out the elevator Kevin was there saying we literally have to leave now so just grab whatever and go. It was too early for me to eat anyway so we grabbed some bread and water and off we went to our vans.

I love this time when we are all getting in and rounding ourselves up in sequence waiting for the z1 to go. You get this adrenalin pump like if ayone has seen the movie twister and everyone is getting in their cars and your in a rush to just go. It's something like that. Sorry just missing everyone right now.

So off we went to Damascus. Again I know there are things happening over in Syria but I'm telling you from what I saw. I saw really beautiful landscape, the people going about their own business, waving to us and giving us the thumbs up when we passed by. If i can remember correctly, this was the 1st country where everyone we passed either stood up from where they were standing and running to the road just to wave. It was amazing really. I can understand now why the queen doesn't wave with much effort cause by the time we got to Damascus my arm was aching but I didn't care. When people are happy to see you, pain in nothing.

Damascus looks like a beautiful city, much like the other ones we have passed, bustling with people. I have heard that driving through Syria can be a nightmare but I've been to Lebanon so didn't flinch at all. Just had to really pay attention to the car in front so that we didn't get lost in Damascus. At one point we stopped as a small group from the PNC had set up another welcome committee just coming into Damascus with this sign saying The Right To Return Convoy (pictures will be up soon once I get to a computer) and it was a lovely stopped whereby we all jumped out, took photos, met our good friend Nabil whom I've met in Lebanon before. Just nice after a long journey. We did have a lil escort which was organized for our safety by the Palestinian National Council as well as VPA talking to all sides to ensure our safety. As I've said before I trust the leadership knows what they are doing and I will repeat myself cause I know all the haters out there for our whole 6 weeks trip and it just seems they don't read so I'm just repeating for their benefit because you know sometimes when you get a blog like this I'm sure it must be very hard to scan and read long blogs like mine just so words can be twisted so I'll repeat just for you.

VPA spoke to ALL sides regarding us passing through Syria and ALL sides agreed we will be safe. Let's face it who wants Palestinian activists on a humanitarian mission to be killed. AND one important fact. We were greeted and hosted by the Palestinian National Council (PNC). They were the ones taking care of us. They consist of doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, you name it. Not just Palestinians but also Syrians. Okay? I hope repeating helps but I can imagine someone out there having a hard time reading and just picking a few points to be twisted but oh well.

So after a pretty long journey from Tartus to Damascus (think if we left by 8am, it took us prob 5 hours), we arrived at this beautiful hotel (yes also arranged by the Palestinian National Council) and settled in. Think we were given 30mins to settle in then we all loaded ourselves into the big school bus Richard drives and went to the office of the PNC where the greeting was so wonderful and there were pictures around the meeting room of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa. Just lovely. By this time tho I felt so ill and just tried my best to keep smiling. They did serve wonderful biscuits though. then we went to take group photos in the front of the bus and off back to the hotel where a wonderful lunchnwas waiting for us. Thinking about it makes me full. Just wonderful.

During lunch we were told about the bombing that had happened in Damascus nearby the airport. Just awful. The bomb went off during the hours when children were going to school. White phosphorus was used I will say and who usually uses that in their bombs?? Think! So we had heard that the PNC and the Palestinian Youth were going to donate blood for the victims and a group of us wanted to go too. So after a lil rest after lunch we met up with this wonderful lady who is a human rights lawyer and she took us to a hospital where 5 of my friends went to give blood. I would have joined them but due to me being sick (think it was day 21 by then) I couldn't so I was photographer instead. The queue for people to donate blood was amazing! From all sorts of places these people were from. Besides the Syrians and Palestinains coming to donate blood there were Iraqis that we spoke too and I'm sure other nationalities turned up too. This bomb was devastating but the way people were brought together to help those that had been injured showed the unity. It didn't matter who you were, what race you were, what your political stand was, you saw your fellow countrymen injured and thisnwas their way of supporting them. That was really touching.

After everyone had given their pint of blood (Faz was so pumped up he wanted to give more) we went back to the hotel where we walked around the neighbourhood to see some sights. Must have been around 6pm by this time and it was like a normal city. I resisted going into shops though as I know how cheap Syria can be. So we went to rest before the press conference.

During the press conference, loads of press turned up. Since I wasn't feeling well and prob looked like crap I stayed by the side to take pics of my friends. One cameraman almost had his flash extension fall on the floor but Rahmah and I had such quick and in sync thinking that using both our legs we caught it just in time. But then we had to sit there and not have a right giggle. So funny!

After, we went to the lounge and just chatted and chilled. We then got the hunger pangs so went up for dinner where again, wonderful food. You can't complain really. Then we had a nice night where a group of us chilled outside the hotel foyer with our drinks and shisha and had a fab convo with Kevin about politics. I may have been so ill by this point but you just can't leave conversations like that.

Luckily though we were there because a tipper truck full of aid turned up and we all (well I wasnt allowed to carry anything) put all the aid inside the hotel. Was so funny with the men all acting tough. I really do have great pics. This was donated by the PNC. So with this new aid, some of us were told to wake up by 7am to move the aid around between cars. 7am?? Sheesh. That's when I decided to go to bed, hesitately. Damascus. I've heard such wonderful things about it. Even though I didn't have time to go around it, the areas I did see looked wonderful. Nvm. Next time

Dramatic weather for dramatic Turkey :)

Just look at this picture!! At one point it reminded me of a hurricane area. Then I said as long as there are no hail stones we will be fine. 20mins later, not really hail stones but big blocks of water def came tumbling down. And we are in Turkey!! The weather has been so strange. Sun stroke in Germany and Hungary then wearing a jumper in Turkey! Just so odd.

So right now we are in Konya in Turkey and making our way down until our next destination. Should be in Turkey for the next few days. Yesterday we stayed in Ankara after being in Istanbul for 4 days at another petrol station like last nights one. Its nice how you don't have to pay for toilet use but there's been no hot water or showers for that matter so been wet wipe showers the past two days :) smell like Jasmine :p

The day we left Istanbul, which was Saturday, was a day of mixed emotions. Due to visa problems for our next country destination, we had to leave behind some of the guys that were with us. This left 4 vans with no drivers. Luckily 3 new guys, including one from South Africa had joined us plus us with no van so we each are now driving one. Just hope everything gets sorted so they can join us at the border. Meanwhile, we are still awaiting news on our vehicle but since we are driving B6 now, it will be hard to spread the drivers out when we get our van. So we shall see how it goes. After so many days of not being on the road, was so nice to be back with the convoy. Although I haven't been very well so just trying to cope with that. Will be alright.

On the 4th was 6 years since my mum had passed. I didn't even realise the date until I was reminded. No wonder I went window shopping that day! Although I did treat myself and got a lovely handbag which was bargained even further once the guy knew we were going to Gaza. His business partner then gave me a free purse :D I don't like to remember the day to be honest because it makes me feel very sad and that's what I don't want to feel right now cause there's just so many things going on that I need to deal with but I did have a lil cry and had to remind myself that she's with me on this journey helping me. Just one day at a time I guess.

Whoops gotta run! We are now off to our next destination.

Jem

Things happen for a reason

I'm really sorry for the lack of updates but it's been such an experience since my last post that I couldn't write about the chapter until it was closed. Okay this chapter of the journey is not really over but it's more clearer. So let's tell this story :)

Since my last post, we were off to go to the border between Hungary and Romania and all was going well down the highway like we normally do and then suddenly a loud metal grinding noise occurred and I asked Faisal 'is that the tyre?' whilst he calmly put the hazard light on, slowed down and pulled over to the hard shoulder. A5 pulled over as well as one of the main convoy leaders in Z2 to check what was going on. They all got out to check the engine while I was told to stay put. It did not look good as the engine mount had bent and so the engine had shifted and was almost touching the ground. Not good. The rest of the convoy stopped at the next stop area while another vehicle came and towed us slowly back to the rest of the convoy and once we were there, nearly everyone came around and started to see if anything could be done. Ropes were being tied up and they were trying to figure out how to tow the vehicle to the next destination. It just seemed like a very hard thing to do plus it would have slowed down the rest of the convoy so luckily I took the advice of the organisers and was able to get European breakdown coverage from the RAC. So the rest of the convoy went on whilst some of the convoy leaders stayed with us. There was some problems occurring but we finally got towed and you wouldn't believe where too. The Peugeot service station was literally situated behind us where we were staying the night before. So we literally went backwards. Oh well, got to see how they tow your car and got to ride in the huge truck (I felt so tall). The RAC sorted out a hotel which was 4mins away. By this time it was really late so the only thing we could do was go to bed, though I'll be honest, I was anxious as hell and was just praying all would be okay.

So the next morning we have breakfast and I get a phone call. Bad news. Hungary was literally shut down because they were having a holiday for the next two days and no one could look at the van until Wednesday (this was Monday). So we told them what was going on and how we were on a deadline as we needed to catch up with the rest of the convoy so the RAC then started trying to sort out hire cars for us but the problem was each country didn't want their car going into another country so they literally had to sort out a hire car in each country all the way to Turkey. So whilst they were sorting it out all of us went into town to try and see if we were lucky enough to find a mechanic who could take a look at our van. Unfortunately Hungary was literally closed. I even saw a McDs closed as well as the tourist centre. Really just dumb luck. So since there was nothing else to do, we finally went to go have lunch, which was in the city centre itself as everything else was closed, and went to this Syrian restaurant. Wonderful food and very fancy toilets.

We then get the phone call from the RAC. Everything was sorted with all the hire cars BUT since Hungary was closed, no one was picking up the phone so there was no hire cars available for us to leave that day (Monday) and we would have to wait the next morning. Meanwhile, the rest of the convoy was getting further away from us and the convoy leaders that stayed with us had to get going otherwise it would be so hard to catch up. So we decided that the two of us would fly to Turkey to meet the others and Z2 would take all the aid that was in our van and go and catch up with the others. What was so great was that RAC would cover the cost of the flights plus continue to put us up in the hotel with 2 rooms. It was the easiest option for everyone. Thing was, it meant the van had to be left and writing this now I'm still gutted. It's like you try to do everything you are supposed to do to make sure the vehicle is fine but sometimes things are just out of your control. I just need to remember that. At least the insurance has been the best thing done and they have been so good to us.

So once that was decided, we all went back to Peugeot to get all the aid and squeeze in into Z2's vehicle, which is smaller then our vehicle. Dumb luck still followed us. First off it took us almost an hour to even try and get into Peugeot even though I had the documemtations as the guy had to call this person and that person and then we had to wait for his colleague to come (remember it is a holiday) and then at first they only allowed one person to go into the area because apparently the lasers (really?) were on and couldn't be turned off because again, it's a holiday, and then when they saw how much stuff it was they allowed 2 of us in. They then told the van to drive behind the vehicle which was separated by a high wired fence and then a big ditch! We then had to transfer 8 boxes plus 4 huge and heavy bags over the fence whilst Z2 leaders were packing as much as they could in their van and it was so packed you could barely see Carole at the back in the passenger seat. I really wish I took a picture of this because it just looked like we were robbing the place. What a sight!

Then we said our goodbyes and that was sad and I will admit it did get to me but work needed to be done so we went online to find the best and cheapest flight to make sure we were in Turkey by Wednesday. So we finally found the cheapest one via Kiev but it would mean we left on Wednesday itself so we had another day in closed Hungary. Stranded in Hungary. So I've learnt that since some things are beyond your control and everything happens for a reason and that you can plan as much as you want, there really isn't anything one could do. So it just made sense to walk around the city more to really see Budapest. Still a lot of places were shut but the city still looked beautiful. We were also able to go back to the same place we went with the others that was owned by the Egyptian and we told him what happened and he gave free tea again :) then it was back to the hotel to try and pack as best as we could with all the stuff we had and some food had to be sacrificed and left :( then bed as we had to be up early to make sure all was done before our cab picked us up at 12:30 (organised by RAC too) and off to the airport. I had a lil cry as we passed the Peugeot service centre and I actually couldn't look because I would have prob burst into tears. It just feels like I've let people down because the van had to be left. Was beginning to feel like a home too and it can really get one to feel lost leaving it. I just hope something can be done with it but I'll get to that bridge later.

So off to Turkey we went via a stop at Kiev. At the airport in Hungary wow security was pretty tight as I had never been that frisked before! Then at Kiev we had our bag checked again (I think the round power extension cord looked dodgy) and there was army everywhere! Waited there for a few hours with a lovely cup of coffee and finally boarded the flight to go to Istanbul. The flight was very nice (Turkish airlines) and got to calm my nerves after the few days we've had by watching FRIENDS and having a good giggle.

Got to Istanbul (yey!) and finally met up with the rest of the convoy! Was so nice to see everyone and be reunited.

So after being stuck in Hungary for an extra 2 days without a van and dealing with that, we will be in Turkey for a few days which will be great for us to get a new vehicle and get that sorted. We have a number of choices so will access the best one because at the end of the day, I made a promise to deliver a van with the aid. We still have the aid and we will get a van, that is for sure. Again, everything happens for a reason right. The big picture is delivering the promise I made to Gaza and to the people who have kindly supported us.

So, wow, long post. So I shall leave this for now and see what happens tomorrow :)

Sometimes it can take just one person to build the momentum

After a slight delay leaving Austria yesterday as sometimes things go missing on the convoy (nothing and no one is perfect hey) we had a passenger in our vehicle who needed a lift to our next destination, Budapest. Her name was Sophie and she was from Germany. I wasn't feeling too well yesterday (if the instructions on a meds box says to have with a meal, follow them) so my stomach was just in agony as think it kicked in my gastric but I tried to be a good host as much as I could and wanted to promote the convoy and tell her more about Gaza etc. Very sweet girl and I'm glad she was asking so many questions as you rarely find the youth interested in this (I would know after facing ignorant ex-classmates just last week) and I'm glad we were able to get her safely to Budapest. Sophie if you are reading this, it was a real pleasure meeting you!!

Like I said in my title, sometimes it can take just one person to start the awareness campaign to take off and more people knowing about the Palestinian cause. You never know :)

We were able to drive through Budapest last night and we all did very well as no one got lost yey!! But wow, the city was breath-taking and I had one hand trying to video tape the drive plus keep an eye on the traffic so we wouldn't get lost. Was so beautiful!

Arrived at our usual base point, a petrol station but this one has free wifi AND you don't have to pay to go to the toilet wahey!! One setback is there are no showers but oh well, jasmine scented wet wipes it is.

Since it was still early, some of us popped out to the city again just so we could take nicer pics. Beautiful really. Then found a nice place to have dinner which is run by a guy from Egypt so I told him bout the convoy and he clapped his hands saying good and we got free tea :D food was fab too! I realised I hadn't had rice for ages. Aahh good ol rice.

So after a very nice night, went back to base to have a good rest although last night was the 1st night I didn't sleep too well and woke up so hot and claustrophobic so tried to open the door and leave it open so I wudnt wake Faisal then tried to sleep with my legs out of the van sitting up. Didn't really work.

Finally gave up and by that time Faisal was awake so just did the usual morning ritual, freshen up, breakfast and been trying to take it easy today as the road ahead is gonna get tough. We did try to fix the aircon but couldn't get it to work so we will try get it fixed in Turkey.

Its been getting rather hot and even tho I live in KL, I feel like I'm getting heat stroke. Such a weakling :p

Btw Tina if you're reading this, we made use of your cooker twice today :D thanks again!!

Wokays gotta go as we will be off to our next destination soon so will try rest before we head off.

7 countries in 7 days. Can you imagine.
Jem

Hello London!!

For a starter, I have no idea why I have been so tired from the moment I stepped onto the airplane coming here. I technically slept so much with my poor friend getting bored as hell but still tired today. I guess a lot only mind then.

Secondly, it is sooo cold! Maybe that's why I feel tired cause all I want to do is just stay under my duvet and sleep hehe. Guess relax when you can.

So thus far the trip has gone fab and I think when something is meant to be it goes about very smoothly. We went to check out a specific vehicle thative been told will be great for CFTA. A short train ride, hop, skip and a bus away we met with a lovely man named Ed who straight away told us the problems with the minibus and henceforth the price would be lowered...yey! S we went for a drive to. Have a feel of the minibus, checked what was working, my co-driver had a go at it and then once we got back to Ed's house he says due to the fact that this has been a fundraising for the children, he knocked the price even further! Truly wonderful and this is why if things are meant to be, God makes it all easy for you. There's still a lot to be done but, again, if it's meant to be it's meant to be :)

Plus I learnt something wonderful from Ed yesterday. He said that he always does things that make him happy and he never chases the money. Yes money is. Important but he doesn't chase it. It made me think that it must be true. As long as you do what you love and you're a good person, the money will take care of itself. Look at my journey, the support you have all given me. Who would have thought I would have gotten so close to my goal?

So again, thank you for allowing me to do something I love to do plus to help people who need our help :)

I was going to mention a bit of hoo-haa that has been going on regarding the convoy but I do have to dash off. If I can I will later but I will say this. From day one there has always been talk about the route and where we could be going. From day one you know that the journey itself has risks. So if you sign up from day one knowing all this don't you have the obligation to all those people you have made promises too? I do. I have a vehicle I have promised to donate to CFTA plus toys, books and a lil few gifts from MSRI to give them. I also trust the organizers as I'm sure they know what they are doing considering they have done this 5 times and with known people involved of course they wouldn't do anything that would deliberately put us in harms way. I know what I signed up for and due to the fact that things are going so well, whatever happens happens and its meant to be.

So actually I'll end there and gotta get the rest of my checklist sorted :)

If anyone wants to know more about the organization the vehicle and donated items are going to, the info is here
Culture and Free Thought Association
P.O.Box 76, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
Tel/+972(0) 8 2051299
Fax/+972 (0) 8 2067299
E-mail: cfta@palnet.com

TTYL :)

Friday 6th April 2012 news

Before I begin I just want to wish all those that are celebrating a very Happy Good Friday and may you have a fab Easter :)

I've got to put some news up as it's taking up all my tabs on my iPad hehe. Will blog about today's events a lil later as rain is coming!

1. Cash shortage stops Gaza kids' summer camps I must add with this news that there is an organization in London that is bringing the games to Gaza. Please visit their website http://www.gamestogaza.co.uk/ where you can sponsor a child to participate in the summer games.
2. Palestinians mark the start of Easter week
3. Netanyahu to ask Abbas to return to negotiations without preconditions
4. Flytilla 2012
5. Israel causes $66 million worth of damage to EU-funded aid projects
6. Jewish Artist’s CD Review Pulled From The Web For Being “Pro Palestinian”

Wed. 4th April 2012 News

Some news I found yesterday but only just got to my computer :)

1. Israeli forces attempt to arrest 2-year-old Palestinian child
2. Hunger-Striking Detainee Moved To Hospital
3. Fuel tankers arrive in Gaza
4. Galway Palestine Children Appeal distribute aid in Gaza
5. ICC rejects Palestinian bid to investigate Israeli war crimes during 'Cast Lead' Gaza operation
6. Swedish activists plan another Gaza aid flotilla this year


On a more personal note, i realised something today. I was told recently that I need to prove myself to people as people's perceptions have changed. I decided today that I don't need to do that. I know I work hard and I know I have tried my up-most best to face all my difficulties I have faced with these past few months and just because some people who don't know what has been going on have a perception on me now, I don't need to prove or say anything. Just move on and let it be. People are entitled and have a right to their opinion so I also have my right to do what is best for me. So I help those in need as much as I can and tonight was such a fab night with fab friends and at the same time welcomed a person in need to Malaysia. To me, that's time well spent.

Monday 2nd April 2012 news

It's been a long day so I'm just gonna put up some links of blogs I've found today and will blog tomorrow.

But before I begin, I just want to say a massive thank you to Brunei Government Senior Officers Wives Welfare Association (BISTARI) for their generous donation towards my cause. I will blog more tomorrow about it but I couldn't write anything until a say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who have been supporting me, financially or just by being here for me, thank you!!!

So, today's news.
1. Hana Shalabi’s Hunger Strike Has Ended, But Not Her Punishment
2. On top of banishment to Gaza, Israel uses Twitter to further violate Hana al-Shalabi’s rights
3. Tough road to Jerusalem for Palestinian Christians
4. Red Cross delivers fuel to Gaza hospitals
5. Does the Global March to Jerusalem delegitimize Israel? Not at all.

Updated news from Land day & other news

So sorry this is a bit late as today was a lil hectic and just got to my computer. Decided it would be better to just do a new post so that there is no confusion :)

1. On the land day: israeli soldiers increase their violence against the villagers of Ni’lin,one Journalist was hit and other dozens suffer from tear gas suffocation
2. Activists take part in Global march to al-Quds in Australia
3. Why Land Day still matters
4. Activists gather at Canadian parliament as part of Global March to al-Quds
5. At a checkpoint.

Other news
1. Refugees The Facts
2. Church Leaders Open letter to Michael Oren ahead of Easter
3. British, Irish activists set foot in Israeli-blockaded Gaza

More pics of Land Day

Stadium filled with Palestinian supporters in Malaysia

My wonderful friend and fellow activist in Lebanon :)

New York, USA

On Land Day, Golan People Reiterate Adherence to Syrian Identity and Unity with the Land

Mumbai, India

Rome

Jordanian girls wear hats with the Dome of the Rock in miniature during a demonstration marking Land Day in the village of Kafrein, west of Amman, Jordan

An elderly Palestinian man argues with Israeli border police officers outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City

Protester waves a Palestinians flag to the crowd as they gather to mark the annual Land Day event in the Arab Village of Dir Hana

Malaysian activists in Amman, Jordan

Mahmoud Zaqout, shot to death by Israeli occupation authorities near the Erez checkpoint in Gaza. May he rest in peace

For more wonderful pics, do go to http://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/landday-gm2j-march-30-2012-photos/
For more info and videos from Malaysia, go to MalaysiaGMJ

Pictures from Global March to Jerusalem

One brave protester!

Protestors in Lebanon

An estimated 60,000 people took part in the largest rally ever witnessed in Jordan at today's "Global March To Jerusalem"

Thousands of people gather in Korea for the "Global March To Jerusalem"

Crowds in Jordan

Protest in Indonesia

All Around the world

Morocco

In Sydney, Australia

Thailand

Sri Lanka

Tunisia

The "movement of young Russian" for Palestine and stand in solidarity with the occupied city of Jerusalem in front of the Embassy of the Zionist regime in Moscow

Global March to Jerusalem - updated

I will write more on what is happening not just in Palestine or it's neighbours but on a global scale! There's so much news pouring in that I'll need time to get through it all.

Breaking news just coming in.
1. there are at least 8 peacful protestors injured in Ramallah do far by Israeli forces... We have information that Dr Mustafa Barghothi, member is legislative council, is injured by shot at his head....
2. 1 Palestinian has been killed, and 5 injured by Israeli forces in Gaza at the Global March To Jerusalem.
3. At least 60,000 have gathered in Jordan near the border
4. In the Occupied West Bank, over 120 Palestinians have been injured, several seriously.

5. A 20-year old Palestinian boy has been shot dead by Israeli forces north of Gaza bear the border, also, 37 others have been injured in Khanyounis and Beit Hanoun.
6. BREAKING: Medical sources say at least 130 people wounded across the West Bank in clashes during Land Day protests
7. Palestinian directly hit in the face by a tear gas grenade at Bethlehem checkpoint


News from today
1. The Global March to Jerusalem, a brave and admirable attempt to awaken the world’s conscience
2. Israel closes off West Bank ahead of Arab protests
3. Happy Palestine Land Day: Israel Earmarks 10% of West Bank for Settlements: White
4. Jerusalem is at the heart of the Palestinian struggle
5. Dawn Breaks on the “Global March To Jerusalem Day” in New Zealand
6. Clashes at Jerusalem's Qalandiya checkpoint while other protesters gather at Israel's borders
7. GMJ South Africa Report on their successful march today

8. Athlete abused by Israeli soldier for carrying Palestine flag in Jerusalem marathon
8. Israel begins new air and ground assaults on Gaza
9. 'Land Day' clashes: Youngster killed, over 200 injured
10. Global March To Jerusalem London Channel
11. 'Land Day' clashes: Tear gas & tension as Palestinians protest (video)
12. Protests held in Indian cities in support of Palestine

Meanwhile, if you have Facebook do go to GazaTVNews as they are updating the news as soon as it comes in from wherever it is from.

Stay tuned.

For those in KL, make your way to Shah Alam. Details below.

Thursday 29th March 2012 News

Links to important news showing today :)

1. Hana Shalabi ends her 44 day Hunger Strike, but is exiled to Gaza for 3 years

2. Drawing the world’s attention to the plight of Gaza

3. Roger Waters of Pink Floyd supports World Social Forum Free Palestine

4. Palestinians forge new strategies of resistance

Tomorrow is a very important day for the Palestinians but I'll talk about that tomoz. Stay tuned :)

Today's News

I've decided to post the link of news that I want to share with you all. Most of today's is on Palestine, as will be the case in future posts but I'm also including an ad for an NGO that is helping stray dogs in KL and they have an adoption drive coming up.

Please do check out the links!

1. The Galway Palestine Children’s Appeal enter Gaza with Humanitarian Aid

2. Irish Mayor travelling to Gaza to officially sign historic twinning with Gaza City

3. Jordanian Gov't Allows Million-Man March towards Jerusalem

4. Female political prisoner enters 33rd day of hunger strike

5. The Great Australian Adoption Drive

Pics

What I have been doing is attaching these pictures to the 1st post i have sent to people but thought it would be better if these pics were in a post on their own. 

 

Children from one of the camps i visited in South Lebanon

Group photo of fellow activists and friends at a memorial site dedicated to those who had been killed by Israeli snipers during a peaceful demonstration at the border to create awareness about the Nakba. The youngest was an 8 year old. 

Children at the camp in South Lebanon. You can see their living conditions in the background

My journey to help others as well as myself

I've started this blog for two reasons.

One is to explain this new journey I'm embarking on to try and help people, specifically the Palestinian people and to be more specific, the people of Gaza. Since the attack on Gaza in 2008/2009 I was awaken to this tradegy that has been put onto these people for way too long. I was ignorant that this problem was even occurring. So I decided during new years eve that I wanted to do something to help these people, even if it was something small such as telling everyone I knew about their story.

So in 2009 one of my good friends gave me a leaflet describing an NGO named COMPLETE, a coalition of over 50 NGOs that joined together to create awareness and to help the Palestinian cause. Now named Viva Palestinian Malaysia, I had been working for VPM since. Although its been a part-time job due to also being a full-time masters student in political science its been one the most rewarding things I've ever done in my life and I love it. Besides learning things I never thought I would ever do, VPM has taken me to Lebanon not once but twice where I had the privilege of meeting Palestinian refugees who were not only forced into these camps with no where else to go but have had 3 or 4 generations of their family born and raised in these camps. There are no words to describe these camps and the living situations are so dire and have been living there for far too long. What touched me though was when walking through the camps the children would walk besides you with big smiles on their faces wanting you to take photos of them and the grand-mothers stopped you just to shake your hand and say thank you. Just someone from the outside community who wanted to know their story was enough to keep this spirit of wanting to fight on going.

My trips to Lebanon are unforgettable but this will be said in another posting one day :) Right now I have another area I want to focus on.

During the attack on Gaza I saw on live news what was going on, it tore me up inside that I couldn't do anything. So when I joined VPM I felt it was a small contribution in helping to re-build the lives of these people. Thus far, VPM has raised money for several projects in Gaza to help to create jobs for the people, which includes building a rehabilitation centre for women. We have also just raised money in order to build the much needed 11 schools in Gaza as well as sending medical and humanitarian aid during the convoy in 2010.

I am now working on embarking on a new phase of my journey to help not only one of my wishes come true but it also ties into the final stage of my masters programme.

There is going to be another land convoy leaving for Gaza from London in mid-April and we hope to raise enough money to purchase a specific vehicle the Gazan people have asked for such as a mini-bus plus fill it up with aid such as educational items needed for the schools that will be built soon. The reason I am asking you all for help is because I want to be the one who delivers it. I feel my time to go has come. I want to go and see exactly what is going on with my own eyes so I can educate the people not just with facts I read but by what I've seen with my own eyes. I want to finally meet the people I've spoken to online and tell them face-to-face I did not forget them. After all the work I've done at VPM, I want to see just how I've helped, as small as it is.

So I'm asking anyone who can make a donation of any amount to please contact me. To purchase one vehicle full of aid will roughly cost RM50,000. Even if this amount is not met, whatever is raised I will still be able to give the donations to the Gazans and carry on with my thesis as best as I can. It would just be an honour if I could raise enough for 1 vehicle so I could drive into Gaza knowing it was due to the love and support from all of you that made one of my dreams come true. I know times are hard so even your prayers and thoughts during the journey would be just as wonderful for me :)

For my studies, my final thesis is based on the convoys to Gaza and my supervisor has stated that if I am able to go, it will provide better results due to being able to have the first hand experience of going on the convoy. Therefore this is not just one of my dreams being fulfilled but will also help me tremendously in hopefully publishing my thesis.

For anyone who can help, here are the details:-

Name: Jemaimah Mustapha

Bank: Standard Chartered Bank

Account number: 312-1-5704123-7

Since this is already a long post for a 1st post my second reason will be explained soon, after some much needed rest :)

Thanks to anyone who reads this.

Luv Jems :)