Shalini & Lina

Shalini Says,

A warm embrace from New Delhi, India! My name is Shalini and I am from India though I grew up in parts of Africa, Asia and the United States. In fact, I lived in Egypt for four years as a little girl - close to Palestine - and learnt a little Arabic as well. At my school in Egypt, there were many students of Palestinian heritage, including a friend in my class. This means I learnt about Palestinians, displacement, and the diaspora early on in my life. I have been volunteering at the Hands Up Project as an English Teacher for more than 2 years. I have always wanted to teach children in Palestine - the cause is close to my heart and has become even closer now since interacting with the students in Teacher Lina’s 7th grade classes (Section A and B). We have been collaborating for more than a year now though more regularly since September 2024. I love working with Lina as she is so kind, warm, considerate, flexible, a great teacher - and she also has a wonderful and refreshing sense of humor! It makes for fun and educations sessions. During our last session, the students learnt English grammar and vocabulary by understanding the history of Palestinian embroidery (Tatreez). It was not only educational for them but eye-opening for me! I love the intercultural exchanges in these classes as I am able to share a bit more about Indian culture as well - like the traditional dress called a sari during this last session. The girls have so much light and energy, and it is easy to see how passionate they are about learning. Their dedication inspires me everyday and I feel so blessed to see their confidence grow, and be part of their journey. I hope one day I can visit the girls in Palestine ( and also gift Lina a much deserved sari of her own as she is truly the best.

Lina Says,

My name is Lina Alkhatib, and I am from Palestine. I have been working as an English teacher for two years, and I currently teach 7th-grade students. Over the past two years, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Teacher Shalini through the Hands Up Project. Together, we have created engaging and meaningful English sessions for my students, both this year and last.

Shalini is an exceptional volunteer—kind, dedicated, and full of creative ideas. Her warm presence and inspiring teaching style bring joy to every session, and my students are always excited to learn with her. She has a special way of connecting with the students, making them feel heard, supported, and motivated.

The Hands Up Project has had a powerful impact on Palestinian children, offering them a platform to learn English, express themselves, and engage in intercultural exchange. Through storytelling, drama, and conversation, the project has helped students build confidence and find their voice.

I am truly grateful for this collaboration and for Shalini’s continued commitment and kindness. Her contribution is deeply appreciated by both me and my students. I hope to meet her in person one day and present her with a traditional embroidered Palestinian dress as a gift from me and my students—to thank her for the love, dedication, and inspiration she brings to our classroom.