I was fortunate enough to travel to Yemen recently for charity work through our community. We as a community have taken it upon ourselves to rid the country of Qa’at – a mind numbing drug (from leaves) that subdues the population while taking them a major step backwards in productivity.
The subject of Qa’at can be spoken about at great lengths but that is not what I want to do here. Here I want to talk about the different world I experienced in this somewhat forgotten country.
On our arrival to Yemen the one thing that did not go unnoticed was the unbridled and amazing hospitality shown by the the people of Yemen. Everywhere we went our hand were shaken, we were hugged and made sure that we never experienced any discomfort.
We were allocated the village of Mazabahar. The house we were staying at was located on an incline where the toilet did not have running water and the 13 of us plus the members of the household shared one bathroom. However within a few hours of our arrival it was obvious that the hospitality in store for us was second to none. Any slight query about something we wanted was met with them going at great lengths to make sure we received it.
On site where we went to work, the locals (some less then 13 years old) would turn up and help. They always had a smile on their face and would sing to help keep us going.
We would get lunch on sure which would be accompanied by fruit, water to drink and wash our hands with. What I experienced through my work here is nothing short of extraordinary. It is easy to get lost in a country such as Yemen and forget your troubles. With little distraction and a night filled with some of the most amazing stars I have ever seen, you really had the opportunity to discover yourself.
I was slightly apprehensive about making this trip but I can safely say that this was a truly once in a lifetime experienced.
