Intern Spotlight: Haya Saleh

Haya Saleh serves as our Kingian Nonviolence fellow, but previously served as our Palestine Justice intern organizer. She is a Palestinian living in Gaza where she teaches English as a second language. She graduated in 2021 from a local college in Palestine and plans to get a Master's degree in sociology abroad.  In addition to organizing people for Palestine Justice in the US and abroad, she brings OEP programs to children and youth in Gaza. She reflects on the impact that On Earth Peace has made in her life during her internship and fellowship.

Why are you drawn/applied to On Earth Peace?

My interest in OEP began when I subscribed to their newsletter and learned about a 2-hour KNV training. The training concept was new to me as well as the Kingian framework of peacebuilding and community organizing. Soon afterward I applied to the "Palestine Justice Organizer" internship that was highly relevant to my background since I am located in Palestine. 

What are the favorite project/s that you worked on?

I have worked on many projects since I joined OEP. One of my favorite projects was the Agape Satyagraha training, which a coworker and I held back in June 2022. The training targeted youth in Gaza to teach them tactics for a nonviolent approach to conflict and conflict resolution. This project is special because one of its results was enabling a group of participants to receive OEP youth grants. The group was successful in implementing its community engagement project early this year. I am proud of them and I am glad I am still in touch with them until this day!

How has OEP affected your outlook/future aspirations?

Before I joined OEP I had no prior experience nor knowledge of the nonviolence framework for organizing. OEP enabled me to explore, learn, teach, and organize which grew my perspective widely. I became highly engaged with the Kingian Nonviolence Community and hope to still be part of it in the future. This year, I am planning to further introduce the KNV principles in my community and grow my network of nonviolent advocated practitioners around me. 

What would you like people to know about OEP and yourself?

I am a Palestinian living in Gaza where I teach English as a second language. I graduated in 2021 from a local college here in Palestine and I am planning to study a Master's in sociology abroad. I joined OEP early last year as the Palestine Justice Organizer intern where I implemented projects targeting people from my community. 

I got introduced to the Kingian Nonviolence Principles through OEP where I have taken the 2-hour into, the 16-hour core training, and the Level 1 training. Soon I will become a certified KNV trainer which qualifies me to teach the KNV framework myself! Throughout my time with OEP, I have learned how to organize, facilitate, train, and launch campaigns, and many other skills. I am grateful for this opportunity that keeps giving.