From H1 to H2 in Hebron, the story of Ibrahim, the first English teacher at the EC: Not only is he the very first English teacher at the EC but Ibrahim´s personal story reflects the reality of many people in Hebron…He was brought up in H1, the occupied territory where his family still lives but once married, he had to choose to live in H2, the Palestinian side separated by heavily armed check-points.

Ibrahim graduated in English teaching methods and Arabic at Hebron University in 2011. One month later, he got a job as an English Teacher in a village school close to Hebron.  “Teaching a subject like English to high schoolers has its challenges”, says a pensive Ibrahim. When asked why, he says “In Palestine, not many men regard teaching English as a particularly attractive career path. You don´t get rich by being a teacher that´s for sure!  The other part is that it´s hard to convince uninterested students that English is an important part of their future. They don´t comprehend how useful to them it can be.”

He remembers his university days when he had to cross the Israelis’ check-points every single day from his home in H1 to his university in H2 and vice versa. “This was and still is the reality of many Palestinians”, he says. “On a good day, we could spend up to 30mn in the check-point. Others days, when the checkpoint was closed, we had to either climb up the wall and risk falling or being caught by armed soldiers. On occasions, to avoid putting my life at risk, I would stay at my grandma´s.”

When he got married, he moved out of H1 and went to live in H2, as everyone now calls them. “For us Palestinians, life in H1 is very hard, nobody in their right mind would choose to leave the freedom of H2 for the unsafe life with the settlers under the constant watch of the Israeli army. It was a given for my new wife and her family that I would leave my family and set up a new life in H2.”

His wife is a Math teacher who graduated with Honors in Sciences from one of the Hebron Universities.  “She is more than I deserve, says a proud Ibrahim. She is very smart, speaks fluent English and is very beautiful”. The new generation of Palestinian men are different, especially the ones with College education. Gone are the days when a pretty wife who can cook and stay at home with the children was enough. At least that´s how I feel”, he says.” My children will have the example of 2 working parents who are realistic about the world around them. His 3 years old daughter already speaks some English!”

“Now I spend my days between the school and the EC where I give 16 hour’s worth of English lessons per week. It is a good mix and I very much enjoy it!” When asked about his family in H1 he says “They have decided to stay there for the time being. I have brothers and sisters who are going through the same difficult journey to University/school as I did. My family has other property in H2 and could perfectly come and live on the Palestinian side. The issue is they can´t bring themselves to abandon the family home where they had us and spent most of their lives. So many memories are attached to this house.  

My one wish is that visitors coming to Hebron are encouraged to go and spend some time with a Palestinian family in H1. They will gladly offer coffee just for the pleasure of seeing a friendly face and having a chat. Just come to the EC, we will organise it for you with great pleasure!”