Posted by A teacher from the University of the West of England will be joining a humanitarian aid convoy travelling to Gaza this Christmas.
Siamak Alimi, co-ordinator for UWE’s Media and Information technology Centre for Education, will travel 5,000 miles through seven countries.
On a mission: Siamak Alimi and the car he will drive to Gaza
Driving a decorated car as part of a group of 250 vehicles to deliver aid, he hopes to provide IT training and forge links with colleges in the troubled region between Israel and Egypt.
“My family have been really supportive by allowing me to take part in this event over Christmas,” he said. “I just felt that I had to do something.
“The news of the plight of the people of Gaza has made a big impact on me and the convoy captured my imagination. I think the convoy is a fantastic way to provide practical help and a message of support from one community to another.
“It’s the first time that I have taken part in a humanitarian aid venture and I have mixed emotions about it all but the overriding feeling is a need to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.
“I first got involved through my role as a Governor of the local school in Coleway Forest of Dean where the school was organising messages of support from Gloucestershire children to children in schools in Gaza. I wanted to do more and found out about the Bristol Gaza link and I felt inspired by the convoy.”
The Bristol Gaza Link Association was formed in September with more than 200 people gathering at the city’s Council House. The aims – to build humanitarian, cultural, educational and social links – won the support of all Bristol’s political parties.
The convoy leaves Bristol on December 4, and the main truck that will carry the aid to the besieged population in the Middle East will be touring the city this week.
The truck will be at UWE’s Bower Ashton Campus on Thursday and Frenchay Campus on Friday, while it will also be at Broadmead on Saturday between 11am and 4pm.
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