In the midst of worldly political tension, I find it difficult as a young person to see those with true passion for international affairs that gravely affect the lives of many across both hemispheres. 

However, in my year, I see a group of inspirational individuals willing to try to provide information, aide and actively campaign to resolve the many issues plaguing our world. The children at war charity has worked vigorously to spread awareness of the hardships faced by those in the midst of conflict, such as the apartheid in Palestine for the last few months through active protests organisation of bake sales and football matches, raising over 1000 towards aide.

I interviewed one of my friends involved in the Charity, to gain an understanding of her passions in the conflict and how it has transferred to her efforts within the charity.

Date: Thursday 4th January 2024

CR: What inspired you to get involved in spreading awareness on the Palestinian genocide?

MM: I think that what inspired me is that one, we've been trying for three years, like we had been making attempts from year nine, during these three years, we asked teachers if we could get involved multiple times and whenever we brought this up, we would be shut down. And then we realised again we had to meet so we asked * teacher* yet another time.  And also, because people were so uneducated about the situation many thought that the Palestine Israel dispute only started happening this year when it had been happening for 75 years and longer, so we were motivated by people's lack of education.

CR: What was the process of organising the football match?

MM: The process of organising the football match was basically through these two boys one of them was Palestinian himself, and his best friend. They had asked the PE department if we were able to use the equipment and had people watching over and making sure everything was correct during the football match.

CR: In the future what do you intend to do having been involved in this process?

MM: In the future we intend to obviously still raise awareness, making it known that this is an ongoing issue, just because we've already been involved in the charity organisation weekly, it does not mean the issue has disappeared and also to continue educating people.

CR: what have you learned from this experience?

MM: I think one thing I have learned from my experience is not to give up on myself, even if people are telling me not to, because the school kept being dismissive about our idea, but we kept on going, if you really want something and you're passionate about people hearing about it, keep on going because eventually you will succeed. Because we never knew in year nine on that we would raise over 1000 pounds, but the fact we kept on going back and going back shows how much we actually cared and how passionate we were for this cause.

Overall, this group has inspired me as working vigorouslt towards alleviating suffering, fostering education, and facilitating sustainable development in the region has had a powerful impact on others, including myself to contribute to positive change.