In my last post I wrote about how I’d decided to offer my skills completely free of charge to any legitimate Israeli or Palestinian organisation working on Gaza relief, Palestinian humanitarian causes or broader justice initiatives in the region. I’d had enough of standing by and witnessing all the suffering, and doing nothing about it. Maybe that’s how you’ve been feeling, too.

A big thank you to everyone who engaged in the LinkedIn version of that post – liked it, shared it or commented. Every interaction means a lot, and encourages others to speak up.

There was quite a lot of interest from others who also wanted to help, so I promised to share my approach in a separate post – which you’re reading here.

I decided to break my offer down in four separate but distinct areas. You might find this helpful as you think about how you might be able to help yourself.

⦿ Hard skill: Offer to do something I usually get paid for for free.
⦿ Soft skill: Become a mentor to those needing support.
⦿ Financial: Identify a small number of initiatives/organisations to donate to.
⦿ Social: Join an online community focused on the people and the issues.

I also decided to do all of this openly in the hope that it might encourage others to do the same. But it’s also totally okay to do it privately. Some people will have no choice.

Finally, I was thinking about listing the organisations (and individuals) that I’ve been recommended this week, but they may not want me to. Instead, if you found my approach useful and could do with a little help yourself, drop me an email – heretohelp@kiwanja.net – and I’d be happy to try and join some dots for you. I appreciate it’s sometimes confusing knowing who to support when there’s so much need.

Thank you.

A while back I took the plunge on LinkedIn and started sharing posts about the war in Gaza, hitting ‘Like’ and ‘Share’ and thinking I might in some way be doing something useful. At the very least I was speaking up, something many people also on LinkedIn seem afraid to do. (Refusing to stay silent on issues that matter is something I’ve previously written about here).

But honestly? I’ve reached a point where posting feels hollow when people are dying and suffering on such a massive scale.

The statistics are hard to ignore, yet many people seem to manage it. Over 65,000 dead, children starving, entire communities displaced, whole villages raised to the ground, members of the press gunned down or blown up by the hundred.

I can’t shake the feeling that my comfortable screen-based outrage isn’t enough anymore – if it ever was.

I now realise I need to do more than just call out the death and destruction. So I’ve decided to start offering my skills completely free of charge to any legitimate Israeli or Palestinian organisation working on Gaza relief, Palestinian humanitarian causes or broader justice initiatives in the region.

I’m not looking for recognition, or for social media content. I’m not even sure what impact I might have. But I do know that if I have skills that could help get even a slither of aid where it’s needed, or help amplify minority voices, or support organisations doing real work on the ground, then I should.

Sitting on the sidelines isn’t an option anymore. So I’m now ready to help with:

⦿  Creative, engaging content for campaigns, websites, newsletters
⦿  Storytelling and creative writing
⦿  All-things social purpose, start ups and social impact
⦿  Proof-reading, copy editing or sense-checking reports or papers
⦿  Strategy conception and development
⦿  Coaching and mentoring
⦿  Technology support, and advice on innovation
⦿  General encouragement and support

There’s more on what I can offer on my coaching site here.

If you’re working with an organisation that could use help, or know of reputable groups that need the kind of expertise I could provide, please reach out – or like or share this post. I can be reached on heretohelp@kiwanja.net

Help me channel my frustration into something that actually matters.

Thank you.