Chelsey Berlin, program coordinator A native of Maine, Chelsey joined TYO-Nablus in July 2008. Prior to joining TYO, her work with various Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations brought her to Nablus in the summer of 2007, and in the winter of 2006-2007 she split her time between Haifa and Ramallah. While in the occupied West Bank, Chelsey immersed herself in issues relevant to Palestinian culture and society. Her interest in this region solidified during early summers spent as an American Delegate to Seeds of Peace International Camp. She has also spent one year living in Egypt and studying the Arabic language. Chelsey graduated from Brandeis University with a BA in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies in 2008. Her senior honors thesis titled “Collective Memory, Political Identity and Reconciliation in Palestine-Israel” allowed her the opportunity to delve into the pressing issues significant to Palestine both past and present. She is excited to be working with the community of Nablus once again and is thrilled to be back in the land of maqlouba and mansef, her two favorite Arabic dishes. With a strong passion for the arts, Chelsey enjoys listening to music, reading contemporary fiction and poetry, writing and photography.
Nell Derick Debevoise, international director Born in Connecticut, Nell joined TYO in December 2007 to work on the development of TYO’s structure, programs and external relations. After studying psychology at Harvard, Nell spent a year in each Tokyo and Champagne, France teaching English to young people. She earned a Masters at Cambridge University in pedagogy and education policy. After completing the degree, she was hired as the Youth Programs Manager at The Glocal Forum in Rome. In this role, Nell managed an international network of 150 youth leaders, as well as overseeing international partnerships and a new intercultural dialogue initiative. In 2006, she earned a Masters in Intercultural Education at the Universita’ di Roma. Nell will never pass up an Italian dinner, though Nabulsi specialties Mesekhin and Knafeh have joined the ranks of her favorite dishes. Nell loves traveling and has no problem sleeping on trains, planes, automobiles, or soft hotel beds, a very important quality for her position, which keeps her in continuous motion between Nablus, the US and her home in Italy. When she is on the ground, she loves cooking, running overlooking the Nablus valley, and studying Arabic.
Fadi Elsalameen, advisor for US operations Fadi Elsalameen is the CEO of PalestineNote.com an advisor for Tomorrow’s Youth Organization in the US. Formerly, Fadi was the director of Institutional Advancement at the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP). Prior to joining ATFP, he was a Program Advisor at the 'Imaginenations Group' where he worked with teams of international development finance and youth experts to design investment strategies for youth in the Middle East and South America. Since 1998, Fadi has been an active participant in the international organization 'Seeds of Peace,' participating in and lecturing at numerous leadership summits and conferences on topics related to Middle East youth, conflict resolution, and extremism. He graduated from Earlham College with a B.S. in biochemistry and political science and holds a Masters in International Relations and Economics with a specialization in China Studies from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Fadi speaks Arabic, Hebrew, English, French, and Mandarin-Chinese.
Ahmad Hanani, Health Teacher Ahmad is the health teacher for the Core Program at TYO Nablus. He has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector in various capacities throughout his career. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health and a Master of Arts degree in Psycho Counseling and Education from Al-Quds University in Abu Dis. Prior to starting with TYO in March 2008, he served as a Staff Nurse at Ramallah Hospital and the Arab Care Hospital in Ramallah. Additionally, he served as a Chair of the Child Development Association in Nablus. He began his career in public health as a Nurse for the Ministry of Health Intensive Care Unit in Ramallah. Originally, it was the opportunity to work with children from his community that drew Ahmed to TYO. However, after several months Ahmad most appreciates TYO’s interdisciplinary approach to non-formal early childhood education, especially its psychosocial aspect. He is eager to continue molding TYO programs around the needs and desires of the communities it reaches. A native of Beit Furik, Ahmad enjoys reading and his favorite food is kofta.
Suhad Jabi, Psychosocial and Program Specialist Suhad is TYO’s Psychosocial and Program Specialist. She has been a personal counselor in Palestine for more than seven years. Prior to joining the TYO Nablus team in May 2008, she served as a Psychologist and Family Therapist for Medicines du Monde (France) in Nablus. She specializes in therapy for women who suffer from domestic abuse, group therapy for children and families that have suffered a loss due to violence. Suhad worked at St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center as a Family Therapist while earning her Master of Arts in Family Therapy from the University of Rochester in New York (United States). For her practicum, she worked
across generational lines with both individuals and groups conducting bio-psychosocial assessment, family systems theory, psycho-education and behavioral modification in both brief and long-term therapy models. The most important part of her day, she says, is providing the children with choices, role models, new perspectives and cultures. Suhad also has a Master of Arts in Art Therapy (thesis outstanding) from European University in Switzerland, and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from An Najah University in Nablus. A native of Nablus, she enjoys music and dancing. Her favorite foods are Chinese and Indian food.
Yasir Jaber, Facility Coordinator Yasir joined TYO Nablus in March 2008. He serves as TYO’s eyes for details. Prior to working with TYO, he was a Hospitality Coordinator for the Governor’s Office in Nablus. He also worked as a Theater Curator, a newspaper designer and the manager of several hospitality services in Amman, Jordan and the West Bank. He likes working for TYO because of the staff and the comfortable and kind atmosphere in the center. A resident of Beit Eiba village, Yasir’s favorite food is couscous and maqlouba, and he has an intuitive talent for interior design.
Sameeha Khalifah, Information Technology Teacher Sameeha joined TYO-Nablus in May 2008 as the Core Program IT teacher. She has a MIS from An Najah University. Prior to joining the TYO staff, she was the Management Assistant at the Cultural Center for Child Development. She likes working for TYO because she enjoys the children and the staff. After her first season with TYO, Sameeha reported that, “the first day of class, they did not know how to use the mouse and at the end of the program they all want to open the Internet and play games.” A native of Nablus, Sameeha likes listening to music, especially Fayrouz, and spending time with her husband.
Wynne Mancini, Nablus Center Director Originally from the Philadelphia area, Wynne joined TYO in the summer of 2009. Prior to working with TYO, Wynne received a Masters degree in Arab Studies from Georgetown University. She also earned a CASA fellowship to study Arabic intensively in Damascus, Syria in 2007-2008. During her stay in Syria, Wynne complemented her study by interning at UNRWA with the Director of Public Information. She has also worked at the United States Institute of Peace doing research on American involvement in the Arab-Israeli conflict and with the International Organization for Migration providing consulting on their Counter-Trafficking publications. Wynne received her B.A. from Princeton and then worked with a law firm in Paris, France before returning to school to complete her graduate work on the Middle East. When not
working, Wynne enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, reading, shopping, learning new phrases in Levantine amiya, and following Syrian musalsalat.
Haitham Okeh, Sports Teacher Haitham joined TYO-Nablus in May 2008 as the Core Program Sports teacher. He has a BA from An Najah University in Sports Education. Prior to starting with TYO full-time, he was a volunteer in TYO’s volunteer program. He likes working for TYO because of the team spirit among the staff and freedom he has to create his own curriculum. A native of Khallet al-Amood, the neighborhood where the TYO-Nablus center is located, Haitham enjoys training in the gym and his favorite food is maqlouba.
Futoon Qadri, Outreach Specialist Futoon joined TYO-Nablus in March 2008 as the Outreach Specialist. A native of Nablus, she is responsible for seeking out the needs and desires of the communities TYO serves and ensuring that our programming reflects their wishes. Prior to joining the TYO staff, she was an Administrative Assistant at Bisan Center for Research and Development in Nablus. Futoon is happy to be part of the TYO staff because she finds everyone very professional but also very kind and understanding. In her free time, Futoon likes shopping and exercising. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from An Najah University in Nablus.
Rana Rashed, Art Teacher Rana joined TYO-Nablus in March 2008 as the Core Program Art teacher. Prior to joining the TYO staff, she was an art teacher at the Tulkarm School for students in third to eleventh grade. She likes working for TYO because of the staff, the children and the spirit of the center. A native of Tulkarm, Rana received her BA from An Najah University in Nablus and feels a part of the Nablus community.