Meet the Team
When we set out to establish the gym back in 2018, our goal was to start a project that would make a valuable contribution to the community in Aida, and serve as a bridge between Ireland and Palestine. We set out to develop a professional coaching team to run the gym to a high standard so we could provide opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities to have fun in the gym. Today we have a committed team of volunteers from Ireland and a small team of coaches who are employed at the gym!
Ainle -
Director
Ainle started the ACLAÍ Palestine project in 2018 with then Director of the Lajee Center Salah Ajarma. Ainle is from Belfast, Ireland, and has worked in the field of strength and conditioning for nearly 20 years. He ran the pioneering ACLAÍ gym in Cork between 2013 and 2023, and oversees the ACLAÍ Palestine project on a volunteer basis.
Athal - Coordinator
Athal lives in the Aida camp, is a qualified occupational therapist and has been the coordinator for the gym since it opened in 2020. Athal works with a wide variety of participants in ACLAÍ, leads the coaching team, and coordinates all activities in the gym, including collaborating with other Lajee Center units.
Síomha - Fundraising
Síomha joined the ACLAÍ Palestine team in 2022 and today looks after the fundraising efforts that keep the ACLAÍ Palestine project moving forward on a volunteer basis. As a musician Síomha has also worked in the Music and Dance unit of Lajee Center as well.
Haya -
Coach
Haya joined the coaching team in 2023 and primarily looks after training sessions for the girls and women’s groups in the gym Haya lives in the camp and looks after her three children when she isn’t running sessions at ACLAÍ.
Mohammad - Coach
Mohammad joined the coaching team back in 2020 when the gym opened for the first time and today he looks after training for the men and boys in the group, as well as running training sessions in the gym for the Aida Celtic football players.
Sally - Photographer
Sally joined the project in 2019 and played a crucial role in the initial fundraising to get the gym opened. Since then Sally has been photo documenting the project, as well as teaching photography to kids at Lajee Center. Sally’s volunteer contribution to the project has been critical to its success!