THE OLIVE TREE - 25% off when you order 2 or more!

This poem was originally titled Willow and was adapted into a children's book by the same name. However, as Anita and I launched our children's picture book, 

Willow back in October 2023, it didn't escape us how the themes of resilience courage and steadfastness in the face of life's hardships and challenges was especially relevant to what is happening to the beautiful people of Palestine. What Palestinians have endured for over 75 years and continue to endure is something that both Anita and I have been deeply affected by and we need to do what we can to help in any small way and show our solidarity with Palestine, always.

After raising over $5.5K from our Willow book launch for humanitarian aid on the ground in Gaza, we wanted to do something more permanent and with deeper meaning - a way to show our love and respect for the beautiful culture and people of Palestine. To honour their resilience and incredible courage in the face of such cruelty and onslaught.

• The Olive Tree holds a special place in Palestinian culture and is a symbol of peace, and identity.
• The deep roots embedded in the soil represent Palestinian's deep and unbroken ties to the land that they love so deeply and are indigenous to.
• The key in Olive's hand represents the keys taken by Palestinians from their own homes through many forced displacements over 75 years. Many have kept their keys as a promise to one day return to their homeland when Palestine is finally free.
• Olive's gaze is fixed on the dove carrying the Palestinian flag which represents peace and freedom.

Please join us in fundraising for those currently enduring this horrific war on Gaza. All profits will go to aid organisations on the ground to help those most in need. Last time we raised $5.5K for organisations that were able to directly get aid to those in the ground from within Gaza. We will be doing the same this time as we assess where it is most needed together via polls on my Instagram account. I will also post  all receipts and updates to my Instagram account for those who would like to follow along.

Anita and I want to thank you all so much for your support.

#FREEPALESTINE

THE OLIVE TREE

An olive tree stood proud and tall, roots deep within the soil.

Unyielding in her strength and will, through daily strain and toil.

One day the clouds up overhead turned dark as they rolled by.

A vicious storm came roaring through - rain thrashing from the sky.

It beat her ‘til her limbs were broke; her leaves were all but gone.

It forced her down and held her there, until the storm moved on.

Here now, she stands with grace and poise as time moves slowly by.

Her limbs, they grow with leaves anew; she holds her branches high.

And whilst she’ll never be the same, she steels her roots once more.

For she survived the storm and now, she’s stronger than before.

By Elisabeth Sophia

Artwork by Anita Bagdi