Waterford family's Greenway walk for Gaza
The family welcomed in Kilmacthomas.
When Joanne Carney woke up at 5.30am on Saturday morning, August 10, her body ached, her feet throbbed, her thighs complained - but she was exhilarated.
As toddler Emmie clambered through their tent over the sleepy figures of her parents to marvel at the cows in the next field, the peace and serenity that daybreak brought to Kilmacthomas was a far cry from what each day delivers to families in Gaza Palestine, where birdsong has been replaced by surveillance drones and bomb-laden warplanes, and people have been forced to survive on animal fodder.
During the second weekend of August Jo, husband Keith and their toddler undertook to do The Displacement Walk for Gaza, along the entire 46 kilometres of the Waterford Greenway. Determined to try to get an insight into how displaced families who are constantly ordered to move at a moment's notice cope, they took on this disquieting endeavour.
Having watched the Israeli genocide against the people of Gaza live online for 10 months (where incidentally, Jo points out that 70% of the 40,000 plus dead are women and children), they were becoming increasingly horrified at the silence and hypocrisy of world governments.
So what then finally motivated the young Ballyduff Upper tech-worker to take her family on this particular course of action?
Jo said: "We were sitting, talking one day about what the families in Gaza have to go through: no time to pack, grabbing essentials, running out the door with their children no matter what physical state everyone was in - just a matter of life and death, before beginning the arduous task of finding safe shelter where nowhere is safe.
"We spent a couple of weeks trying to come up with what route we would take. We knew we wanted to do at least 41 kilometres, which is the length of Gaza. We considered a lot of options, such as a mountain trek, a road walk, the Famine Trail into Dublin, and so on."
Jo continued: "Eventually we decided on the Waterford Greenway as it felt very appropriate and was probably the safest route to take. We packed enough food and drinks for three days into two big rucksacks and on Friday morning, August 9, set off from the SETU West Campus."
Renowned for its scenic beauty, the glorious car-free Greenway passage awakens all the senses for walkers and cyclists alike.
Against the magnificent setting of the Comeragh Mountains the couple made their way along the breath-taking journey across 11 bridges, three viaducts, through a 400m-long tunnel, along the lush banks of the River Suir, all the way past the golden beaches of Waterford’s acclaimed Copper Coast and through Clonea into Dungarvan.
But Jo and Keith's stops along the way afforded little time to admire the scenery.
Instead, they only paused to deliver moving accounts of their cause to fellow travellers whose curiosity was aroused by the heavily-laden couple pushing a baby's buggy bearing Irish and Palestinian flags.
Jo said: "We were happy to explain, because every step along the way we were thinking about the families in Gaza."
Various groups and many individuals gathered along the way to show their solidarity (among them Cobh for Palestine, Waterford for Palestine and Gaeil ar son Gaza). These, along with the frequent expressions of support from walkers and cyclists they encountered on their way, gave the young couple a huge boost.
Jo said: "When we reached Kilmacthomas we had walked 26 kilometres and were starting to slow down. Then, a brilliant bunch of people appeared before us with flags and sweets and coffees. Some had travelled from as far away as Cobh, some from Waterford City - it was fantastic."
Jo said: "It was a massive boost for us every time we met with supporters along the way. Every time we saw a Palestine flag or a keffiyeh coming towards us, our hearts lifted.
"One friend walked all the way from Dungarvan to Durrow to walk back with us, which really helped us to forget about the pain and pass the kilometres. A big gang met us in Clonea and they handed us plates of watermelon which was extremely uplifting, not only for its symbolism, but also for its refreshment qualities!
"We found it so emotional that so many people understood why we took on this journey. By the time we reached Dungarvan we were accompanied by an amazing group of new and old friends as well as family members."
Upon the end of the walk, Jo said: "No matter what challenge we undertake it can never replicate the fear and the trauma the Palestinians are going through. Even though no place is safe in Gaza, displaced families no sooner have made shelters into homes than they are again and again ordered to leave.
"For us, to know that there would be an end to this really mild suffering we were going through in just three days, made us realise how difficult it must be for them."
Everyday annoyances, such as insect bites, which can cause severe discomfort, are underestimated by those unused to these conditions.
Jo said: "I got a number of horsefly bites and my legs swelled up a huge amount. This made me think of the painful skin-sores and hygiene issues that Gazans have to suffer - no creams or medications to help them."
The weather that weekend in Waterford was sunny and hot and according to the couple this gave them a better feel for how people in Gaza have to travel in the severe heat, carry as much as possible, bringing their suffering, sick children with them, "whereas we got to nap our little toddler when she needed it, and provide her with every bit of food, snacks, treats and toys she wanted," said Jo.
Jo's Displacement Walk for Gaza is not just an act of solidarity. She has opened a GoFundMe page to fundraise for an Irish-Palestinian organisation with volunteers also in Egypt, called 'Gaza go Bragh', which brings aid directly to many families on the ground in Gaza.
They are providing water, food and medical supplies and don't take a penny for themselves - all their work is voluntary.
The original target for the fund was €500, but at the time of writing that has soared to €8,780 which will, says Jo, cover at least 75 hygiene kits containing soap, washing powder, creams and disinfectant, as well as providing for 50% of their weekly costs for the rest of the supplies they distribute. The fund also goes towards dispensing daily drinking water to the families regularly under their care.
The Displacement Walk fund is still open and donations no matter how big or small can be made on
