A Prince Albert resident decided to spend her summer doing something a little bit different.
While living in Oman, Sarah MacDonald decided to take a portion of her two-month holiday to volunteer as a language instructor in Palestine.
"I've been interested in Palestine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since I was in high school," said MacDonald, in an online chat from Nablus, a Palestinian city.
"I've often wanted to come here and help the Palestinians, and see the situation for myself."
She is working with Project Hope, a non-profit organization with Saskatchewan ties.
The project was founded by Jeremy Wildeman, a man originally from Unity.
Three days a week, MacDonald is teaching English to teenagers, university students and adults. The other two days a week she teaches French at a summer camp for children.
By learning languages, the students are able to improve their lives because foreign language skills can make it easier to find jobs, MacDonald said.
"In my free time I try to explore the city, and other places in the West Bank, and visit with Palestinians. I am really interested in hearing what life is like for them," MacDonald said.
Sometimes, she said, the stories she hears from her students really cause her to pause. She has students who said they have been jailed and tortured and one who was shot twice in the stomach when he was a child.
"As for those who have been arrested, jailed, tortured, shot at ... speaking with them can be heartbreaking," MacDonald said.
"They make me realize how lucky I am to be from such a peaceful country."
For the most part, MacDonald said she isn't afraid for her own safety.
"Right now the West Bank is relatively safe, but I have to admit that I get nervous when I hear the planes overhead and when I see the Israeli soldiers. I'm not used to being in a place that is always on military alert," she said.
The first few times she heard planes fly low over the city, she panicked and ran outside to see what was happening.
"The Palestinians looked at me like I was crazy," she said.
"I've learned that some of the things here that shock and frighten me have simply become normalized to them, such as the sound of Israeli military planes flying overhead, hour-long (if not longer) waits at Israeli checkpoints on the roads, not being able to travel outside of Palestine with ease."
MacDonald said she is glad she had the opportunity to experience the area, because it is beautiful and the people are "warm and hospitable."
"I think I am lucky to have had the opportunity to come here, not only to teach and help, but to learn from the people."
