On Tuesday, December 14th, we conduct a training with the new management of the Palestine Fair Trade Producers Company (PFTPC). Drinking a lot of Arabic coffee… I’ve missed that.

I realize how much I’ve missed speaking in Arabic and listening to the farmers’ updates on different issues they face in their day to day life. We ended up spending a lot of time talking about the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium and we agree on the next steps to move forward.

By the end of the day, I am back with the Issa family in Anin, a village in Jenin. The Issa’s are always welcoming and make me feel part of the family. It’s not my first time staying here and the kids are used to me now. I help them with their homework in English and they tell me jokes.

Later while trying to send a work email and the light went off. Iman, 4 years old, tells me at this particular moment “the Israeli Army came one time and I wasn’t scared!”

We look at pictures of the family: Mahmoud (dad), Palestine (mum), Hiba (13), Mos’ab (11), Amal (8), Iman (4) and Saad (2).

My last night at the Issa’s family was a memorable night we were all sitting on the floor joking and laughing.