On behalf of YMCA Scotland, Jaipreet Kaur, Senior Head of Philanthropy and Public Engagement wrote: After careful consideration and planning, and in consultation with East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA Palestine, we have decided to transition the (JAI) campaign to YMCA Scotland. As part of this transition, YMCA Scotland will assume responsibility for managing and continuing the initiatives funded by the Olive Tree campaign, as well as the relationship with you. Thanks for keeping up support for the Olive Tree Campaign. This is very much appreciated.
Donations were previously sent via YCare International but YMCA Scotland are now the conduit and an online payment system is in the process of being established. Muhanad Al Qaisi has succeeded Nidal Abu Zuluf as Manager, and Milad Al Hayek is the Keep Hope Alive Olive Tree campaign manager.
The Keep Hope Alive 2024 annual report (http/ ……) offers an excellent summary of the campaign and its formidable challenges.
There will be no Olive Tree planting programme this spring (2025) but there is an intention to recruit volunteers to pick olives in the autumn but given the current situation (February 2025), who knows?Although 12 years old, Uprooted: A Tale of Palestinian Farmers which is available on You Tube, remains an excellent introduction to the plight of farmers and the role of volunteers to plant and pick olives