In this powerful episode, we sit down with Nimala Kharoufeh— an inspirational teacher, women's circle trainer, group facilitator, and the first Samara Yoga teacher in the Middle East. She holds over 14 accredited certificates in self-development and well-being. With 15 years of experience in local and international peacebuilding organizations, she specializes in youth and women’s development, leadership, communication, and team building. As the director of the Palestinian Freedom School, and founder of the soon-to-open Sahwa Healing Center in Beit Jala, Nimala holds true to the symbolism of her name.

Inside the Combatants for Peace office, Nimala reflects on what it means to grow up in a family split by IDs, to navigate a geography that keeps shrinking, and to carry the emotional weight of simply existing as a Palestinian. Yet she brings something rare: a pathway toward healing, inner awakening, and the reclamation of humanity in a world that tries to erase it.

With striking vulnerability, she speaks about trauma, womanhood, community care, and the revolutionary choice to step out of victimhood and into responsibility. This same vision led her to create the Sahwa Healing Center— a community-rooted space now in its final stages of becoming a reality, where Palestinians will have access to grounding practices like yoga, meditation, women’s circles, trauma-informed healing, and much more. With your support, the doors of this space can open sooner rather than later, bringing healing and connection to a community that needs it.

If you’ve ever wondered what steadfastness looks like, what healing inside occupation feels like, or what it takes to keep showing up when everything around you is falling apart—this episode is for you.

Listen, share, and—if you’re able—consider donating to help bring the Sahwa Healing Center to life. Your support directly fuels the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of Palestinians.

Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on September 28th, 2025. The facts presented in this episode reflect what was known at the time, but new information may have since come to light. Similarly, the opinions expressed by the hosts were shaped by our perspectives at the time of recording and may have evolved as events unfolded. Please note that engagement with our guests does not imply endorsement, and the views expressed by our guests do not necessarily represent our beliefs, either on or off our platform. What has not changed is our commitment to a just and united future.

Credits

• ​Sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠B8 of Hope⁠⁠⁠ with the support of ⁠⁠⁠Albi World⁠⁠⁠
• ​Hosts / Executive Producers: ⁠⁠⁠Amira Mohammed⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Ibrahim Abu Ahmad⁠⁠⁠
• ​Associate Producer / Supervising Editor: ⁠⁠⁠Evelyn Uzan⁠⁠⁠
• ​Original Music: ⁠⁠⁠Layan Hawila⁠⁠⁠ – Support her journey as a music therapy student at Berklee
• ​Filming & Editing: ⁠⁠⁠Nissan Film Production⁠⁠⁠
• ​Branding: ⁠⁠⁠Sophie Cooke⁠⁠⁠
• ​Animation: ⁠⁠⁠Santiago Gomez