Dr Rola Jadellah from Jenin, Palestine, addressed the Rotary Club of Teddington & the Hamptons during a recent visit to the area.

Dr Jadellah, who has a PhD in microbiology, was accompanying four media students from the Arab American University in Jenin who were on a short study trip to the UK to learn about British culture. Rotary, alongside the UK Friends of Abraham's Path – a charity that supports long-distance walking in the Middle East – invited the students to spend five days in London where they took part in activities ranging from attending All Saints Church in Isleworth to touring Goldsmith University and Brick Lane. Their meeting with members of the Rotary Club was held at the Adelaide pub in Park Road, enabling the students to see a British pub and, because it was Jazz Night at the Adelaide, to hear some excellent live music!

The group was learning about Rotary hospitality and philanthropic work for the first time, and Dr Rola gave a moving account of life in Palestine. She stated her strong belief that it is ground-work between communities, nationally and internationally that can bring about understanding, hope and change to this troubled region.

Based on information supplied by David Lindsley.