Promoting peace, justice and all the advantages that go with it, including financial stability, societal value of human rights, and the ability of peoples and communities to function in a positive, stable environment is a long term goal for this team in the regions of Gaza and the West Bank.  All over the world people have had opinions about these regions--not always based on fact.  I was one such person, and I will tell my story as well as the story of all those who are contributors to this cause.

When you travel in the West Bank and in Gaza, in spite of the difficulties in the region, there was one thing I noticed.  From the children I saw, there were still, in spite of the problems they encountered--millions and millions of smiles.  Smiling children, with little school uniforms on, soccer balls in hand, or a backpack on their backs, all wanting the same thing--the chance to live, have fun, and be happy.  I feel so fortunate to have traveled to this region, because I had long misunderstood that I would find young, brilliant-eyed girls and boys loving their lives and wanting to live to the fullest. 

What a mess we adults make for the future generations sometimes by holding on to concepts we were taught that were a complete misrepresentation of what should be or what actually is the case.  We, each, should all be learning and growing until the day that we die.  In spite of what we have misunderstood or have mishandled in our generation, we can still make a difference in the lives of these beautiful smiling children.  I have placed here on this site, just a few of these smiling faces for you to see, because in spite of difficulty and sometimes despair.... GAZA LIVES! 

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