Hope

April 19, 2008 By

I didn’t know how I would be affected by a trip to Israel. I thought that maybe it might be some famous temple, some cultural experience, or maybe meeting one of Israel’s leaders or technologists that would have touched me.

I wasn’t prepared for what did: a pair of piercing black eyes that belong to “Michael,” a boy a little younger than my own son, Patrick, who is 14. I was asked not to share names or photos by the people who introduced us. See, Michael’s eyes told me they had witnessed things that young eyes shouldn’t witness.

He was one of a group of students from Darfur who were studying at the Rogozin School in Tel Aviv. Here’s an article (PDF, sorry) that talks about the school and its Darfur refugees. A remarkable school where kids from 29 different countries study together.

Michael told me about his studies, introduced me to his classmate sitting next to him. I asked him if he knew how to use a computer. I knew my few moments with Michael were ticking away, our tour guides had other things for us to see and I wanted to be able to hear more about his dreams. His future. He answered that he did, and knew how to use email and the Web.

This young boy’s eyes showed me deep wisdom that will serve him well later in life. They gave me hope for the future. I hope I live long enough to see Michael become a leader of a new Israel: one where Palestinians and Israelis and Arabs live together in peace. He’s seen that future already. In the classroom.

Don’t think technology is important? What will your answer to Michael be when he emails you and asks you to join the peace movement?

Will you leave those penetrating wise eyes wanting?

Not me, I gave him my email address. I hope he writes and tells me about the future. His future. Why?

It gives me hope.

Filed Under: Intel, technology industry
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  • http://momspeaks.wordpress.com/ momspeaks

    If they’re not too private, and you’re both comfortable, could you share updates from these emails if he does write you? That would be wonderful.

  • http://momspeaks.wordpress.com/ momspeaks

    If they’re not too private, and you’re both comfortable, could you share updates from these emails if he does write you? That would be wonderful.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Sure, I would love to do that. Not to mention that I’m trying to get some of the kids to join Twitter.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Sure, I would love to do that. Not to mention that I’m trying to get some of the kids to join Twitter.

  • http://scabr.com/ Igor Poltavskiy

    Maybe the most conflict place of the earth.

  • http://scabr.com Igor Poltavskiy

    Maybe the most conflict place of the earth.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Igor: you talking about Darfur? Agreed.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Igor: you talking about Darfur? Agreed.

  • http://mndoci.com/ Deepak

    Moments like these are the ones that put our often silly tech world arguments and disputes into perspective.

  • http://mndoci.com Deepak

    Moments like these are the ones that put our often silly tech world arguments and disputes into perspective.

  • http://blog.stealthmode.com/ francine hardaway

    I’m sending a boy in Uganda to school, and would be glad to write to your child from Darfur. I think I am going to Israel next year myself, so if you want to share email addresses, I will find him again when I go.

  • http://blog.stealthmode.com francine hardaway

    I’m sending a boy in Uganda to school, and would be glad to write to your child from Darfur. I think I am going to Israel next year myself, so if you want to share email addresses, I will find him again when I go.

  • http://www.adventureran.net/ adventureran

    With every corner of the globe in the shape that it is in, hope in these “children of tomorrow” is about all we have. Hopefully they will be wiser than our parents were and wiser than we are.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experiences and feelings.

  • http://www.adventureran.net adventureran

    With every corner of the globe in the shape that it is in, hope in these “children of tomorrow” is about all we have. Hopefully they will be wiser than our parents were and wiser than we are.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experiences and feelings.

  • http://www.tactips.com/ Rob

    Pretty humbling experience. Sadly there is always conflict in the world often because one side thinks they are right and other side is wrong. It takes a view from both sides of the coin, and the difficult problem is resolving what is often an issue going back for hundreds of years. Northern Ireland is a case in point, that we all hope has been resolved, but it lasted for decades. It took a fresh open minded view to make progress.

  • http://www.tactips.com Rob

    Pretty humbling experience. Sadly there is always conflict in the world often because one side thinks they are right and other side is wrong. It takes a view from both sides of the coin, and the difficult problem is resolving what is often an issue going back for hundreds of years. Northern Ireland is a case in point, that we all hope has been resolved, but it lasted for decades. It took a fresh open minded view to make progress.

  • http://www.thoughts-illustrated.blogspot.com/ dave davison

    Very thoughtful post, Robert -reveals the deeper side of you.
    On May 10th, TED is supporting Pangea Day http://www.pangeaday.org/ – which is the result of a TED 2007 prize wish. This global “festival” will feature video stories like the one you told here about Michael. Finding a way to peace through understanding “the other” in short film interviews.

    You should discard your geek mantle on occasion to delve into interviews like this one.

  • http://www.thoughts-illustrated.blogspot.com dave davison

    Very thoughtful post, Robert -reveals the deeper side of you.
    On May 10th, TED is supporting Pangea Day http://www.pangeaday.org/ – which is the result of a TED 2007 prize wish. This global “festival” will feature video stories like the one you told here about Michael. Finding a way to peace through understanding “the other” in short film interviews.

    You should discard your geek mantle on occasion to delve into interviews like this one.

  • http://www.daviddalka.com/createvalue/ Dalka

    Thanks for sharing this moving story. It opens the complex dialougue of peace, which is more complex than many of us fully understand.

  • http://2008.convergesouth.com/ Sue

    Robert, Greensboro has a “sister city” relationship with one in Israel; we have a Hebrew High School (one of the very few egalitarian ones in the US) and we send HS kids every year to 2-month programs in Israel – tuition paid by anon givers. We also have an organized technology partnership. Please either send or bring this youngster’s email info with you when you’re here in October and let’s see if we can get the IT high school kids (first year at CS) involved in a sort of online mentoring or friendship.

    Israel will touch you when you step on the ground and meet the people. It doesn’t require a building to reach your soul.

    As far as peace goes, I still hope it happens in my lifetime. Somehow, I believe the PEOPLE of Israel (Israelis and Arab-Israelis, some of whom are Christian and some Muslim) want peace and get along in human relationships. It’s the rhetoric that’s killing everyone, aided by guns, bullets, rockets and stones.

  • http://2008.convergesouth.com/ Sue

    Robert, Greensboro has a “sister city” relationship with one in Israel; we have a Hebrew High School (one of the very few egalitarian ones in the US) and we send HS kids every year to 2-month programs in Israel – tuition paid by anon givers. We also have an organized technology partnership. Please either send or bring this youngster’s email info with you when you’re here in October and let’s see if we can get the IT high school kids (first year at CS) involved in a sort of online mentoring or friendship.

    Israel will touch you when you step on the ground and meet the people. It doesn’t require a building to reach your soul.

    As far as peace goes, I still hope it happens in my lifetime. Somehow, I believe the PEOPLE of Israel (Israelis and Arab-Israelis, some of whom are Christian and some Muslim) want peace and get along in human relationships. It’s the rhetoric that’s killing everyone, aided by guns, bullets, rockets and stones.

  • http://www.daviddalka.com/createvalue/ Dalka

    Thanks for sharing this moving story. It opens the complex dialougue of peace, which is more complex than many of us fully understand.

  • http://www.uebermeister.com/ Christoph Jaggi

    Robert, a very thoughtful post. Mixing up children from different origins gives them the right perspective as they learn that they all can get along.
    You might also want to have look at the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation which has been focussing on giving international children a brighter future.
    http://www.pestalozzi.ch/sw451.asp

  • http://www.uebermeister.com Christoph Jaggi

    Robert, a very thoughtful post. Mixing up children from different origins gives them the right perspective as they learn that they all can get along.
    You might also want to have look at the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation which has been focussing on giving international children a brighter future.
    http://www.pestalozzi.ch/sw451.asp

  • http://www.ranajune.com/ Rana Sobhany

    Robert, beautiful post. It’s tragic that these young children are the ones left to bear the costs of conflicts that are not their own. Thank you for telling this story.

  • http://www.ranajune.com Rana Sobhany

    Robert, beautiful post. It’s tragic that these young children are the ones left to bear the costs of conflicts that are not their own. Thank you for telling this story.

  • http://www.otherthanthat.com/ Cathy Brooks

    I had the pleasure and honor of being on this trip with Robert and witnessing myself this incredible group of courageous children. I’ll concur with the compliments about this post. Robert – I’ve been having a devil of a time sorting my thoughts to write about that day, and your post has helped crystalize a few thoughts of my own.

  • http://www.otherthanthat.com Cathy Brooks

    I had the pleasure and honor of being on this trip with Robert and witnessing myself this incredible group of courageous children. I’ll concur with the compliments about this post. Robert – I’ve been having a devil of a time sorting my thoughts to write about that day, and your post has helped crystalize a few thoughts of my own.

  • http://www.conversationalmediamarketing.com/ Paul Chaney

    I’m glad that the first thing you reported upon your return was not the political climate or technological state of affairs, but the impact one young person had on you. Very touching, Robert. Thank you.

    In that country torn by strife, I wish Michael and all his friends well. And I pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

  • http://www.conversationalmediamarketing.com Paul Chaney

    I’m glad that the first thing you reported upon your return was not the political climate or technological state of affairs, but the impact one young person had on you. Very touching, Robert. Thank you.

    In that country torn by strife, I wish Michael and all his friends well. And I pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

  • http://www.freediscussionforums.net/ Jay

    Again nice study and really touching.

    Jay
    Discussion Forum

  • http://www.freediscussionforums.net/ Jay

    Again nice study and really touching.

    Jay
    Discussion Forum

  • Guest

    When I was young, each summer, a local charity brought Irish kids over to live together. These were Protestant and Catholic Irish kids from the North who didn’t intermix in Ireland due to the ‘Troubles’. Taken out of that environment for a summer they got passed their suspicions and found each was more alike than different. Many formed lasting friendships that crossed the religious and political bondaries put in place by their elders and carried these forward back home in Ireland. Ireland has peace today and I believe that is so in no small part due the summers these kids spent together changing them and their country for the better. So yes Scoble, there is hope.

  • Peter

    When I was young, each summer, a local charity brought Irish kids over to live together. These were Protestant and Catholic Irish kids from the North who didn’t intermix in Ireland due to the ‘Troubles’. Taken out of that environment for a summer they got passed their suspicions and found each was more alike than different. Many formed lasting friendships that crossed the religious and political bondaries put in place by their elders and carried these forward back home in Ireland. Ireland has peace today and I believe that is so in no small part due the summers these kids spent together changing them and their country for the better. So yes Scoble, there is hope.

  • http://popsnap.net/ sarahmeyers

    This is the kind of topic I would like to see more bloggers talking about.

    Thanks for writing this and keep it up. You always inspire me to blog. :)

  • http://popsnap.net sarahmeyers

    This is the kind of topic I would like to see more bloggers talking about.

    Thanks for writing this and keep it up. You always inspire me to blog. :)

  • http://isse.com/ issie

    it is very strange indeed israel giving shelter to refugees from africa when they cant take care of its nieghbour , scoble you should have visited palestine, surely you would found scores of children with more sorrow in that ravaged country – mocha gracias to israel

  • http://isse.com issie

    it is very strange indeed israel giving shelter to refugees from africa when they cant take care of its nieghbour , scoble you should have visited palestine, surely you would found scores of children with more sorrow in that ravaged country – mocha gracias to israel

  • http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com/ steveballmer

    I hope that you would get back on track and push Vista sales like I pay you to Scoob!

  • http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com steveballmer

    I hope that you would get back on track and push Vista sales like I pay you to Scoob!

  • http://www.sheysmith.com/ Shey

    Touching story. Thank you for sharing

  • http://www.sheysmith.com Shey

    Touching story. Thank you for sharing

  • http://blog.prolificprogrammer.com/ Prolific Programmer

    I’d wager the problem regarding Israel/Palestine are the small, extremist parties in the Knesset who are hell bent on keeping Israel Jewish, aided by the extreme Zionists in Britain and the United States forcing a great deal of military aid to Israel, including nuclear weapons.

    Most Israelis are not in favour of the occupation, irrespective of its legality. If their so-called democratic government would pay attention to the populace, they’d decide to make peace.

    Final point, the Arab Israelis, including the Palestenians, are out-breeding Israelis to the point that there will be more Arabs in Israel than Jews (and definitely Zionists).

  • http://blog.prolificprogrammer.com Prolific Programmer

    I’d wager the problem regarding Israel/Palestine are the small, extremist parties in the Knesset who are hell bent on keeping Israel Jewish, aided by the extreme Zionists in Britain and the United States forcing a great deal of military aid to Israel, including nuclear weapons.

    Most Israelis are not in favour of the occupation, irrespective of its legality. If their so-called democratic government would pay attention to the populace, they’d decide to make peace.

    Final point, the Arab Israelis, including the Palestenians, are out-breeding Israelis to the point that there will be more Arabs in Israel than Jews (and definitely Zionists).

  • http://capitolvalley.net/ Andrew Feinberg

    Hasan, right on.

    This American Jew has had it with the unconditional support. Make peace or go it on your own. I’ve gotta get along with my neighbours, you yours. Why not theirs?

  • http://capitolvalley.net Andrew Feinberg

    Hasan, right on.

    This American Jew has had it with the unconditional support. Make peace or go it on your own. I’ve gotta get along with my neighbours, you yours. Why not theirs?

  • Danny

    @10 Not as long as Jimmy Carter is negotiating with terrorists will there be peace

  • Danny

    @10 Not as long as Jimmy Carter is negotiating with terrorists will there be peace

  • http://blog.prolificprogrammer.com/ Prolific Programmer

    @22 There’s an old adage that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. I wish you’d get your head out of your rear-end long enough to actually see things from the other side.

  • http://blog.prolificprogrammer.com Prolific Programmer

    @22 There’s an old adage that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. I wish you’d get your head out of your rear-end long enough to actually see things from the other side.

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