I have been in Jerusalem about a week, and have just finished my second day of work.  The city is old, diverse and beautiful – pretty much what I have remembered of it from past trips.  But it is the work that I have begun at Kids4Peace that is making me exciting me so much at this point.

The first day for the most part was just getting introduced to the small office and its co-directors, Rebecca and Muhammad. We shared expectations and goals for the next 7 months and began basic introductory work.  Day 2 brought the introductions of Naomi and Reeham, the team that runs the continuation program, and an opportunity to meet the seven amazing teenagers that have made it through four years of Kids4Peace programs and are now about to become counselors for the incoming first year participants.

I sat in on the final meeting in which the seven Arab and Jewish teens worked on dealing with conflict.  It didn’t take long for me to join in on the activities and help the youths with some knowledge that I have gained over the previous few years.  Although, this isn’t going to be my main line of work with Kids4Peace, it was an incredible introduction to the type of work that is done in the organization in the Jerusalem community.  The K4P team has already made me feel so much at home and has given me a strong confidence boost, making me feel like I have been there for years.

I can’t wait to really make my own way and help create a positive change, as seeing the skills and knowledge that these kids have is inspiring, and I look forward to helping to helping K4P develop a stronger, more consistent means of achieving their goal of a positive peace for the future of Israel and Palestine, Arabs and Israelis, Christians, Jews and Muslims. An organization like K4P shows a bright future is indeed possible.