Natali is a born athlete. Whether it’s a pickup basketball game, an evening run through Jericho, or a soccer game for the Palestinian National Women’s Team—she loves to compete.
But beyond that, she believes in the power of sports to transform people and communities. And she’s a beloved member of the Seeds of Hope community in Jericho.
In 2011, Natali started going to the Seeds of Hope gym with her aunt. For years, the Cultural Center has provided a safe place for women to work out and invest in their personal health. There aren’t many opportunities for women in Jericho to work out together or at all, so the gym has become a hub of community over the years.
As Natali began to visit more and get to know the volunteers and other women, she saw the love and passion that fueled the Seeds of Hope team. When her brother, Simon, started leading the Seeds of Hope Cultural Center, Natali got even more involved.
“I saw how much the staff believed in what they were doing,” said Natali. “They had a future plan to initiate change and make our community better.”
Natali became a valuable leader in the Cultural Center, serving with students during our summer and Easter camps. She also helped as an interpreter for our medical and spa project teams over the years. This experience seeing our project teams up close and building relationships with our volunteers and partners had a profound impact on her heart, goals, and worldview.
But sports have always been her biggest passion. As she continued pursuing her own career in soccer and furthering her education, she brought that experience back to Jericho to invest as a coach and help Seeds of Hope impact even more people.
In fact, she recently completed her PhD thesis at The University of Sassari in Italy, where she researched women’s access to sports in the Middle East and how to tackle the obstacles they face in their daily lives regarding access to athletics. She’s passionate about helping women and children develop a love for sports and experience all the ways that physical activity can build confidence and transform your mentality.
“I strongly believe that through sport, we can have a huge impact,” Natali reflected. “Sports can truly change the world and the mentality of the community that we serve in. I believe everyone has a right to participate because sport is not merely a privilege for only certain individuals.”
Natali’s passion dovetailed perfectly with our partners at The Athlete’s Table, and they’ve worked together on many camps and programs in Jericho. “I’m so thankful to work with The Athlete’s Table,” said Natali. “We are still at the beginning! We aim to expand much more both in Jericho and beyond, focusing on places where access to sport, particularly for women and children, remains challenging.”
Natali’s impact at Seeds of Hope has been profound. From investing in children as a coach to being a role model for young girls and serving in countless roles from kindergarten to our after-school program to the Cultural Center, she has made her mark on our work.
“Natali comes from a Christian family in Jericho, and her value is far more than sports,” says Stevie Ghanim. Stevie has been a long-time volunteer with Seeds of Hope and is the wife of Khader, Seeds of Hope CEO. She’s also a mother, and her five children have been impacted by Natali’s investment in Seeds of Hope’s programs has impacted her five children.
“Natali brings a light with her,” Stevie continued. “She carries Christ in all she does. Her passion for sports is an incredible strength and talent that God uses mightily at Seeds of Hope, in our community, and beyond. I know her work will continue to have an impact for generations to come!”
We’re proud to call Natali a member of the Seeds of Hope family! She recently published her thesis project as a book called A Kick to Prejudices: From Palestine to Sardinia, Dribbling Through Each Obstacle. She believes in the mission and work of Seeds of Hope so much that she’s donating a portion of the proceeds from her book to Seeds of Hope.
“Seeds of Hope has provided me countless opportunities,” shared Natali. “I’ve grown to know and love so many people from different backgrounds. I’ve developed so many friendships that have continued to grow, even today.
“I truly believe in Seeds of Hope and the work that they do,” said Natali. “I admire how much love, dedication, and hard work they put into all they do. I’ve learned so many valuable lessons by watching them work as a team, serving Jericho and giving of themselves, and being role models to inspire all of us.”
We’re grateful to have Natali on our team helping us reach even more people in our community and inspire them with the hope we hold!
