I’m British-Palestinian, born and raised in the UK. My connection to Palestine has always been deeply personal. My grandparents were forced to leave Acre during the Nakba in 1948 and eventually settled in Beirut, where they were fortunate enough to receive Lebanese citizenship.
Growing up, I heard their stories of displacement, loss, and resilience countless times. Those stories shaped how I understood my own heritage and left me with a strong desire to work with Palestinian communities and contribute, in some way, to a cause that has always been close to my family.
Finding Taawon
When I started looking into organizations working with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Taawon quickly stood out. What caught my attention was not only the scale of its work, but its long-term approach. Education, health, development, livelihoods, and emergency relief all form part of a wider commitment to helping Palestinian communities build stronger and more secure futures.
The chance to spend six months working with a Palestinian-led organization with such a long history was one I was genuinely grateful for. And I soon realized that there was much more to learn than I could have picked up from a desk.
From reports to real communities
During my placement, I worked across Taawon’s Communications and Monitoring and Evaluation teams. My days could involve anything from preparing vulnerability assessments, baseline and endline surveys, and project performance reports to writing content for annual reports and the website.
It was a valuable combination.
Monitoring and evaluation taught me how important data, evidence, and accountability are when it comes to understanding whether programs are actually making a difference. On the other hand, communications showed me how important it is to turn that work into stories and information that people can understand, connect with, and act on. But some of the most important lessons came when I stepped away from the computer.
As part of project monitoring visits, I visited Burj Barajneh and Beddawi refugee camps. Seeing the reality on the ground gave me a completely different perspective on the challenges many Palestinian refugees continue to face.
Overcrowded housing. Poor infrastructure. The struggle to stay warm during winter. Limited access to essential services. These are not simply figures in a report when you see them first-hand. And yet, alongside these challenges, what stood out just as strongly was the resilience of the people living in these communities, and the determination to keep moving forward.
When circumstances change, the work changes too
My placement also coincided with periods of conflict and uncertainty in Lebanon. I saw first-hand how quickly priorities can shift in a crisis. Taawon adapted its work to respond to urgent needs, directing more support towards relief and making sure vulnerable families were not left without assistance.
One visit that has stayed with me was to the dialysis unit at Safad Hospital in Beddawi camp. The displaced patients received immediate access to treatment, helping save their lives. For patients who previously had to drive long distances several times a week for treatment, having access to dialysis within the camp means less time on the road, fewer costs, and, importantly, less physical and emotional strain.
It was one of those moments when a project's impact becomes very real. Meeting patients and staff and seeing their gratitude made it clear that this was not simply a new facility. It was a service that could make a meaningful difference to people's everyday lives.
The people behind the work
But if there is one thing I will take away from my six months at Taawon, it is the people.
From the beginning, I was welcomed, supported, and encouraged to ask questions, learn, and get involved. People were generous with their time and genuinely interested in helping me make the most of the experience. I came to Taawon hoping to gain professional experience. I left with much more than that. I left with invaluable professional skills, a richer understanding of the realities facing Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and even greater admiration for the work Taawon does every day.
I could not recommend the organization more highly and will always be grateful for the opportunity to have been part of its mission.
