Sunday, June 10, 2012
Update @ 1533 (+8GMT)
Update @ 1533 (+8GMT) -
9am. Just crossed the Suez Canal
- update via sms from Azra Banu
Update @1233 (+8GMT)
Update @1233 (+8GMT) -
6.30am. The first bus carrying Malaysians, new zealanders, British activists moves out! The other buses r right behind. Convoy is escorted by Egyptian security.
- Update via SMS from Azra Banu
6.30am. The first bus carrying Malaysians, new zealanders, British activists moves out! The other buses r right behind. Convoy is escorted by Egyptian security.
- Update via SMS from Azra Banu
Update @1207 (+8GMT)
Update @1207 (+8GMT)
6am n Everyone's on board the buses n waiting to roll. It's so good to see friends, old n new. Warm familiar faces. Zaher Birawi, Nikki Enmarche, roger fowler, hone fowler n the biggest surprise of all, an old friend, Dr Anas al Tikriti.
- update via SMS from Azra Banu, VPM
6am n Everyone's on board the buses n waiting to roll. It's so good to see friends, old n new. Warm familiar faces. Zaher Birawi, Nikki Enmarche, roger fowler, hone fowler n the biggest surprise of all, an old friend, Dr Anas al Tikriti.
- update via SMS from Azra Banu, VPM
Update @ 11.23 (+8GMT)
Update @ 11.23 (+8GMT):
It's 5.13am in Cairo and all activists are having breakfast before boarding buses to Gaza, Palestine. 120+ activists in total. Stay tuned.
-update via sms from Azra Banu, VPM.
It's 5.13am in Cairo and all activists are having breakfast before boarding buses to Gaza, Palestine. 120+ activists in total. Stay tuned.
-update via sms from Azra Banu, VPM.
Our friends from Kia Ora Gaza and shots from Cairo
Kia Ora Gaza (Roger Fowler, Tali Williams, Hone Fowler, Gibran Janif) with Azra and Dr Essam Mustafa (who has been instrumental in organising this particular aid effort).
Saturday, June 9, 2012
The Revolution Continues
Azra: Update- this afternoon we drove through Tahrir Square. A most surreal feeling being at Egypt's Ground Zero. Traces of the revolution visible on the streets of Cairo.
Hello Pyramids!
Just got a message from Azra.
" In Movenpick Hotel, al Ahram St, Giza. The Pyramids are a stone's throw away."
" In Movenpick Hotel, al Ahram St, Giza. The Pyramids are a stone's throw away."
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Roll out the crazy days
This past month's been just crazy. Tying up aid from 3 corners; China, Cairo & Malaysia, all timed to arrive in Cairo just days before the team does. Solar lamps, solar bulbs, cartoon stickers, projectors, laptops, books, posters, wheelchairs, crutches, medicine, even chocolates. Alhamdulillah, everything;s falling into place, right up to the last day. Living on the edge they say.
The team comprises VPM chairman Dato' Dr Musa Nordin, secretary Azra Banu, committee members Elya Lim, Noorazian Anidin, Mohd Idrus & VPM volunteers Che Mahmud & Roslan Mohammad and four others from Aqsa Syarif. In less than 24 hours we shall be on Etihad Airways bound for Cairo before embarking on the road trip to Gaza. Last minute preparations are inevitable giving me a good dose of the jitters & excitement.
The goodwill's just been amazing. We called for sponsors for solar lamps, thinking we'd top up any shortfall, but the funds still haven't stopped coming, prompting a second shipment. Then we started a wheelchair & crutches campaign and the amount raised allowed us to purchase twice the number of wheelchairs. Cartoon stickers, Quran in Braille, chocolates, everything was snapped up by very generous hearts, from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, UK, US, Russia, South Africa, Europe. I can say with certainty that your kindness is deeply appreciated by all in Gaza.
I haven't had time to think about what it'd feel like to be back in Gaza but now, just hours away to taking the first step, Gaza is staking its claim and memories of that first trip are rushing forth. This time, I'm not going in blind. I've made friends, family almost. They wait to see us, to embrace us, to welcome us into their humble homes.
Yes, Gaza beckons us again.
The team comprises VPM chairman Dato' Dr Musa Nordin, secretary Azra Banu, committee members Elya Lim, Noorazian Anidin, Mohd Idrus & VPM volunteers Che Mahmud & Roslan Mohammad and four others from Aqsa Syarif. In less than 24 hours we shall be on Etihad Airways bound for Cairo before embarking on the road trip to Gaza. Last minute preparations are inevitable giving me a good dose of the jitters & excitement.
The goodwill's just been amazing. We called for sponsors for solar lamps, thinking we'd top up any shortfall, but the funds still haven't stopped coming, prompting a second shipment. Then we started a wheelchair & crutches campaign and the amount raised allowed us to purchase twice the number of wheelchairs. Cartoon stickers, Quran in Braille, chocolates, everything was snapped up by very generous hearts, from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, UK, US, Russia, South Africa, Europe. I can say with certainty that your kindness is deeply appreciated by all in Gaza.
I haven't had time to think about what it'd feel like to be back in Gaza but now, just hours away to taking the first step, Gaza is staking its claim and memories of that first trip are rushing forth. This time, I'm not going in blind. I've made friends, family almost. They wait to see us, to embrace us, to welcome us into their humble homes.
Yes, Gaza beckons us again.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Press Release
13 April 2012
PRESS RELEASE
NON-PARTICIPATION IN VP6, RIGHT OF RETURN CONVOY TO GAZA
Right until 10 pm 11 April 2012, VPM was busy putting together final touches to our VP6 convoy, counting solar lamps, stickers for kids, crutches and wheel chairs for the disabled, generators for schools, etc.
Unfortunately, events in the Middle East, notably the crisis in Syria have overtaken us. VPM and our partners Aqsa Syarif (AS) had hoped to bypass Syria en-route to Gaza, but VP leaders were unable to secure a sea link from Turkey to Egypt and decided to continue the road convoy through Syria.
VPM & AS felt that this was too risky and the security and safety of our volunteers on the convoy could not be guaranteed. Neither would our Foreign Ministry, who we work very closely with, allow us to undertake this route.
Besides that, the road convoy across Syria would lend credibility to the savage killings of innocent civilians, indiscriminate bombings and disproportionate use of force by the Syrian authorities.
Thus, in consultation with our partners in AS, we have both decided not to participate in VP6, Right of Return Convoy to Gaza.
VPM will honour all your contributions and have started making plans to organise our own convoy to Gaza, targeted for June 2012. Be rest assured that all your donated items will find its way to Gaza. We thank you for your generosity and look forward to your continued support for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Gaza.
Yours sincerely,
Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
Chairman, VPM
Sunday, April 8, 2012
And Malaysians start to give
A generous soul donated 2 new laptops for our schools project in Gaza. May Allah reward him bountifully.
Anyone else wanting to donate, we need digital cameras & projectors.
Our team leaves in 10 days Inshallah & are now in overdrive getting everything as prepared as can be.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Shop for Gaza
VPM needs to do some last minute shopping for our 11 schools in Gaza. We're looking for laptops, digital cameras, video recorders, basketballs, footballs, projectors. This is just part of the aid we hope to carry for the children of Gaza.
Know any good deals?
15 days & counting...
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Gaza here we come Inshallah
VPM is frenetically making arrangements to be part of the next land convoy to Gaza. Its called Right of Return Convoy or VP6 & is scheduled to depart London 22nd April & arrive Gaza 15th May. That's the day of the Nakba or catastrophe when thousands of Palestinians were terrorised into leaving their homeland by Israeli terrorists, never to return.
VP6's focus in on the rebuilding of Gaza & among the vehicles will be mini diggers, tipper trucks, garbage trucks. VPM will be represented by 6 activists, 4 of whom will leave for London on 18th April, to begin this cross continent journey.
VP6 ties in perfectly with VPM's biggest project to date; the rebuilding of 11 schools in Jabaliya, Gaza, made possible by the RM1.7 million contribution by the Ministry of Education Malaysia. These schools will fill the needs of 9000 children.
You too can help rebuild these schools. We need funds for laptops, cameras, generators, crutches, sports equipment, science lab instruments. Contact me at azrabanu@gmail.com if you would like to help.
Let me make it easy for you. We need digital cameras for the schools. Care to donate one?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Dinner in my home anytime you're in town
It was a mad rush to Cairo airport yesterday. The buses left Rafah at about 5.30pm & we were informed that the ride would take between 7 - 8 hours, a downer for us as we were booked on the midnight flight out of Cairo. We were pretty sure then we were gonna miss our flight.
We made frantic phone calls to a friend in Cairo & considered all other options but decided to wait it out hoping for either one; the flight being delayed or the bus ride not taking as long.
Kevin having been informed made haste & we only had 2 stops, one very brief & the other slightly longer. Everyone was informed that we were rushing so that the Malaysians & Indonesians could catch their flight. The meal stop was thus a hurried one.
The convoy family was by & large very cooperative save for a couple & Julie actually voiced her annoyance at being rushed & asked why couldn't we change our flight. If only it was that simple.
Anyway, we got to the airport at 11.30pm & the Egyptian authorities were quickly informed of the delegation of 17 waiting to board & were kind enough to hold the flight. And we whizzed through check in, immigration & straight to our gate. The flight took off some 20 mins later than scheduled.
To all who patiently endured the rush to the airport a BIG THANK YOU. For missing out on your dinner I invite you anytime you're in Kuala Lumpur to my home where I promise to cook you a storm.
These past 6 weeks are not gonna be easily forgotten. I've met many, many lovely people & sadly didn't get to bid them farewell. To all at VP 5, you're simply wonderful & thank you for a truly memorable journey.
We made frantic phone calls to a friend in Cairo & considered all other options but decided to wait it out hoping for either one; the flight being delayed or the bus ride not taking as long.
Kevin having been informed made haste & we only had 2 stops, one very brief & the other slightly longer. Everyone was informed that we were rushing so that the Malaysians & Indonesians could catch their flight. The meal stop was thus a hurried one.
The convoy family was by & large very cooperative save for a couple & Julie actually voiced her annoyance at being rushed & asked why couldn't we change our flight. If only it was that simple.
Anyway, we got to the airport at 11.30pm & the Egyptian authorities were quickly informed of the delegation of 17 waiting to board & were kind enough to hold the flight. And we whizzed through check in, immigration & straight to our gate. The flight took off some 20 mins later than scheduled.
To all who patiently endured the rush to the airport a BIG THANK YOU. For missing out on your dinner I invite you anytime you're in Kuala Lumpur to my home where I promise to cook you a storm.
These past 6 weeks are not gonna be easily forgotten. I've met many, many lovely people & sadly didn't get to bid them farewell. To all at VP 5, you're simply wonderful & thank you for a truly memorable journey.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Update as of 8:47pm (GMT +8)
We are now at Rafah crossing and will soon leave Gaza soil
(Sent from Azra via BBM)
(Sent from Azra via BBM)
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