This past week we were invited to stay over in Tulkarem, a city in the northern Samarian Mountains east of Haifa and west of Jenin, at the home of Yousef, our contact and Public Relations officer for the Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce. We have been teaching in Tulkarem for four weeks at this point and have established good relationships with the staff and students there.

The ICS team are treated like celebrities upon arrival and promptly
introduced to everyone in the building

Not having taught in Tulkarem in the past, our group at Sharek was the first to take the English Lessons there and so we were not sure what to expect. Once we arrived in Tulkarem the first time, we were met by Yousef. We exchanged pleasantries and he kindly directed us into a Nut and Sweet centre to select some confectionery for ourselves. After this, we made the short journey to the Chamber of Commerce in the city centre and we were thoroughly and completely welcomed by the entire staff and support of the building. We visited each and every office of the chamber and we met each and every member of staff.

We were lucky enough to stay with Yousef and his family who have a type of city farm with sheep, goats and chickens. The family runs a small business out of their home making and selling Yoghurt. The whole process is very involved and every family member has a role to play. The Yoghurt was delicious. What is evident is that Arab communities such as the one in Tulkarem are very tight knit and families are extremely close to one another. The following day we attended a bicycle race by the Palestinian Youth Sports League where young Palestinian boys competed round a city track.

The people of Tulkarem are very generous with their hospitality and it is a pleasure to be able to work with them.

Sharek is a huge organisation that runs a variety of different
programmes for the youth in Palestine