Simple Ways to Help Palestinians Thrive Not Just Survive Meha Siyam, J.D.
Hiking trip in Wadi Al Kuf, Hebron Photo by Jehad Dawoud
“Handouts might not end global poverty, but work -real work- just might.� -Leila Janah, Give Work When thinking of the issue of Palestine, the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is the political or human rights issues of the occupation, violence and oppression. This is an enormous problem, where does one begin to resolve it? As an attorney, I thought working in human rights was definitely the way to go. So I moved to Ramallah, got a job in the human rights field and went to work. Even though I loved what I was doing and the people I was working with, I realized after almost two years that this was not the best route for me. Human rights work is extremely important, and the documentation and pursuing of legal channels to resolve the continuous infringment on Palestinian rights and freedoms is inimitable. However, it's all about looking to the long-term and being equanimous in the face of many disappointments.
For me, being patient and watching the very little positive progress that was being achieved due to the corruption within any justice system was very difficult. I truly admire my co-workers and other colleagues in the field for their perseverance and unparalleled efforts in a very brutal landscape. I, as more of a sprinter than a marathon runner type, sought to look for a route that can give me more tangible and faster results, no matter how small. One way to stay hopeful in these dark times is to look at Palestine on the micro level, by looking at the individual living in historic Palestine or as a refugee outside of Palestine. Giving this person the ability to provide for themselves and their families is one of the best means of uplifting the Palestinian spirit and giving it the space to thrive. Contributing to someone's dignity in having work rather than accepting a handout gives them the agency and autonomy over their lives which inevitably spills into benefits for their families and communities overall. 20
