Manjot's Trip to Jerusalem

Hi Everyone! My name is Manjot and I’m a college sophomore at Suffolk University. I will be traveling to Jerusalem this summer to participate in a service-learning program with Operation Groundswell. I have always dreamed of working on human rights issues abroad and finding solutions to complex social and political issues. As an international relations student, I have mainly researched on conflicts in the Middle East and Central Asia. My latest research project focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and I felt a flood of emotions - frustration at the complexity, anger that human rights abuses against the the Palestinians have continued for so long, and so much more - all urging me to do something. 

So a few months ago, I decided to apply to Operation Groundswell’s "Middle East: Behind the Headlines" program and am so excited to announce that I was accepted! Now this summer, I will be working with Israeli and Palestinian grassroots organizations mediating through the peace process. During my trip, I will better understand the impediments to peace and learn how to bring the voice of the people living through the conflict everyday to the forefront of international politics. I’ve worked with human rights organizations like Amnesty International to advocate for a plethora of domestic and international issues, through awareness events and by lobbying Congress, so I understand the immense amount of power people hold when fighting for justice together. If I better understand the issues being faced and learn from those living through the conflict everyday, I will better be able to help them in elevating their perspectives, which are integral to bringing marginalized voices to the center of peace discussions. In addition, this experience will make me more knowledgable for my work with United Sikhs, a UN affiliated humanitarian organization. As a junior fellow, I will be working on their many advocacy and development programs.

The funds donated will be going directly to pay for the program fee’s - $4,095. My final payments to Operation Groundswell are due by mid-June and I really hope you all can help me raise enough by that time. Despite receiving all applicable grants and working full time this spring/summer, the program fees impose a financial burden on me and also on my family, especially by the other costs associated with the trip.

I hope you can donate and share my gofundme link gofundme.com/volunteering-in-jerusalem with your family, friends and on social media. To learn more about my trip and work with United Sikhs, please visit http://www.unitedsikhs.org/blog/. Thank you for your time and support. I will be sharing updates every few weeks.