Born and raised in Ireland, I grew up surrounded by nature. My childhood was punctuated by holidays to the West of Ireland, where brisk sea swimming and hikes in squelching bogs were daily occurrences. We lived in Dublin, close-by to my grandmother, a Swedish/German woman with a strong accent and a love for nature. She lived in a terraced house overlooking the Irish sea, where my brother and I spent much of our childhood, picking apples in her garden and collecting shells on the seashore.

Walking parallel to the lapping waves, Mormor (grandmother in Swedish) would often tell us stories of her own childhood; growing up in Germany during the war, fleeing to her grandparent’s country home in Sweden, and raising three children in Hong Kong. Every tale she told us seemed to paint a picture of another world, planting a seed of curiosity in me, and giving my young mind the impression that there was much to discover.

So, when, in my second year of University, I heard the news that my application to receive a scholarship for the Erasmus+ programme had been accepted, my desire to experience a world beyond my own was finally answered. I would continue my Bachelors in Jewish and Islamic Studies and Sociology for a six months period at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, before returning to Trinity College Dublin to complete my studies.

Although I had been studying Jewish and Islamic Studies for the previous year and a half, I knew very little about the history of Palestine, the founding of the State of Israel or what it would mean for me to be there. Unsure of what I was arriving to, all I knew was that I was ready for change.

The lessons that I learnt at this time were some of the most formative of my life. I found the city of Jerusalem beautiful, steeped in history and profound religious meaning. I also found it to be a traumatised, divided and deeply unjust place. The extent of suffering by the Palestinian people that I witnessed was inconceivable to me then. The ability to be disconnected from that suffering, on the part of many (foreigners and Israelis, alike) was confounding.

That was six years ago. Since that time, the suffering of Palestinians has reached devastating and unimaginable heights. Living through a time where the extent of human suffering is so visible, and the mechanisms for change feel hopeless, I am grateful to be part of an organisation that strives for a peaceful and just future. I feel lucky to work alongside a team of like-minded people, who want to see the world changed for the better.

From supporting mental health and social cohesion, to fighting climate change, Hudara’s work encompasses many of my core beliefs and values. Hudara’s approach inspires and motivates me in my work, as I aim to bring sensitivity, creativity and compassion to my role.