A PACKED to capacity audience at the Crediton Arts Centre were stunned into silence last Sunday evening as we listened to acclaimed storyteller, David Heathfield along with live zoom links with young Palestinian storytellers.

The project was set up in 2020, way before the awful war commenced.

The project aims to raise funds and awareness for Gazan families to tell stories with meaning, to the world.

It was growing with momentum thanks to the incredible hard work of David.

Worldwide other young people have joined in.

Whilst the project continues, the reality of the current war and plight of the people in Gaza was brought home to us in a shocking way.

There were photos of young Gazans who had previously told their stories that are no longer alive. There were photos of young people who have gone off the radar and have not been contactable in weeks, but more shocking than anything was a young girl who joined us from Gaza with her mother, a teacher, who is literally starving to death is front of our eyes.

The youngster who was healthy and growing a couple of years ago, could hardly speak to us due to malnutrition, but was still able to say, thank you to us, for listening and hearing their stories.

Anyone in our Community who has a heart for, life, and justice, please, please, please continue to recognise what is happening before our very eyes and continue to rally support for truth and action to those in positions of power and voice.

If you would like to know more about this, do contact me: [email protected]

Sandra Collier

Crediton