Between the 5th -12th of November 2012, two students from Latin school in Beit Sahour, Dana Banoura and Hanna Hawwash participated in an exchange program between the JAI and Nørre Nissum Efterskole (NNE) / Denmark, accompanied supervised by the JAI Youth Program officer.
The two students were selected after 3-months training by the JAI for the Latin school 10th grade, on different subjects related to the Palestinian cause, communication, and presentation skills, so that they could present Palestine in the best way they could.
During the visit and program at the NNE, the students gave a presentation about the situation in Palestine, their daily life, and how they live under Israeli occupation, followed by discussions and questions from the NNE students.
The students also participated in mopst school activities, taking classes and other students' related activities, more over they went for one night home stays at a Danish family to see and experience how they live.
On the side of the visit, the students and JAI youth program officer gave presentations at a nearby school who had closer view on the situation in Palestine. This school' students were really interested and wanted to know more about Palestine.
The youth program officer gave a presentation and open discussion about the work of the JAI and the Olive Tree Campaign, and he met and talked to some previous NNE students and gave them updates about the situation in Palestine since their visit.
Here is the daily activities at NNE as reported by the Palestinian students:
At first, we were selected by the JAI visit Denmark. So, we were excited about this trip, but that feeling was nothing to compare with our feeling when we reached the NNE. When we arrived, Lone, one of the teachers, took us to their school, and the students were very kind with us.
On Tuesday 6/11 in the morning, we carried out an exercise for the students, then we talked about our daily life and our life under occupation through a presentation, and we felt that there were some students who were interested in our cause. After we finished the presentation we asked them some questions, and it was obvious that the students were very mindful. Then we took some classes with them and of course we tasted the Danish food, and we agree that they do very delicious meals.
Next day we went with them to English and Physics classes, also we took a gymnastic class with them, and really it was so fun.
On Thursday 8/11 in the morning, we went to a public school in Lemvig and did some presentations to the students there. We spent a lot of time at the public school where the students asked a lot of questions and we were happy with the students' reaction. After that, we had a tour in the school, and finished by having lunch with the teachers. Then, we went back to the NNE school. At that night, we visited the boys and girls rooms, chatted a lot and had so much fun with them.
On Friday 9/11, we took a lot of pictures for the school to show them to our family, friends and classmates.
On Saturday 10/11 Yazan, gave a lecture on the JAI work and campaigns, then we screened a movie about the Palestinian lands and how the Israeli government steels our land and uproots olive trees. After that we distributed some JAI badges and calendars and some olive wood carving to the students and teachers.
Then we prepared ourselves to go with some students, our new friends, to the Herning to spend the weekend there. So we went there by train and met our friends' families. This weekend was one of the best in our lives. We spent there a wonderful time. On Sunday afternoon we went back to NNE and met the previous global students. Then we made a competition between the students. Finally we said goodbye to each other.