The last few days have been another snapshot of some of the many realities that make up Israel/Palestine. The army experience was interesting to me I was listening to some of the young soldiers talk about how during the gulf war how they had to carry a box around with their air mask in it in case of a chemical attack. They told us how they use to put stickers on their boxes and had to carry it everywhere as they were only aged 9 and 11 back then. They use to paint them and make them look colourful.
As I looked around the army base it was a strange feeling. It was more like a school camp then an army base. Very casual. Young soldiers eating ice cream, flirting with each other and some were so small the gun they were carrying looked really out of place and way to big for them.
At the beginning of the session we were shown a film by a commander about terrorists. This was a bit more what I had imagined and it surprised me that it was not far from what I imagined it would be like. It really seemed a bit over the top to me but I also wondered if I had been that young girl growing up with my air mask and stories of fear could it just as easily be me standing as a soldier totally unaware of what this actually means to me especially at the age of 18.
Later that night I spoke with Einav who worked as an officer in the airforce she was explaining how much power you receive as a young person in the IDF but how young people are not really listened to when they are back in the civilian population. I enjoyed talking with Einav she was not apologising for who she was or what she is perceived to represents at the same time she acknowledges and accepts that Israel is injust in many ways and the complexities and issues are so deep and entrenched it is suffocating for all involved. Along with sharing this with us she took the time to show us her everyday reality she took the group to a friends party, showed us around telaviv and hung out with us at the beach. It is really difficult when you are hanging out casually with young Israeli people that are the same as the young people we saw on checkpoints. They are just like you and me faced with a different reality. Can we, can they as young people create a new one?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
What impact has YPMM had so far on participants??
When young people travel they often return home saying they had a "life changing experience" however it is always hard to pinpoint the moments that define change within us. Over the next few months the impact of this experience will be explored with the international participants and the local communities.
Here is one story that defines a moment that impacted positively on one of the international participants.
I am a marketing student back home and this year I am an intern with an organisation that mainly deals with image, creation and advertising. As a result I am required to talk alot of the time. Being a salesman (sort of) the idea is to sell the product but most of the time people don't actually buy the salt they buy the person so the person has to be good. I get involved in alot of films and events that often involve me ordering people around. I did alot of the talking
It had got to a point where I actually did a lot of hearing but less listening as I tuned out to what other people were talking about.
For the past ten days of YPMM I had been really listening to other people. I have understood a lot. But I also realised a change had occurred within me on the 7th October in a session that was run in the sports centre.
We did an exercise where we stuck some paper on our backs and everyone had to write something positive about our feelings or thoughts of each person on their sheet of paper.
When we were finished and I looked at the paper on my back someone had written. You are an ok guy but too quiet. Wow this was a first for me. I was shocked. When I thought about it I realised how true it was. I had been really quiet. Not because I was shy but the chance to get away and have some time out had been really significant for me. For the first time in a long time I had started to listen again. A meditation at the Tent of Nations also reinforced the fact that you can learn so much through silence and you do not just have to talk to communicate.
For me this signifies a personal growth I am tuning into people more often and having more meaningful conversations. I am learning to be in the moment and to understand and be comfortable in silence. I also feel people will understand me better when I talk because I am more clear on why I choose to talk when I do.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Our last day of YPMM, but the journey continues (October 16th)
Today started with a visit to a Gay and Lesbian organisation in the heart of Tel Aviv. It was situated within a beautiful park and our two hosts shared with us about the work the organisation does, including with young people. We also learnt that the centre is funded by the government and that the laws in Israel prevent any form of discrimination against people because of sexuality. It was sad for us to hear, however, of a hate crime that occurred in August where a gunman killed and wounded young gay and lesbian people at another centre in Tel Aviv. This incident showed us the importance of the support that the organisation we visited provides and the need for such organisations.
The afternoon was time for some free time and some hit the shops while others hit the beach. Walking around Tel Aviv was a culture shock for some of us, having been away from big cities for most of our time here.
And then this evening it was time for our final reflection and for the official goodbyes to start. What was evident in the reflection is the bond that has been created between us through our shared experiences on this journey. We need to keep reminding ourselves that this is just the beginning of a personal journey for each of us, and to continue supporting each other once we say goodbye tomorrow.
Everyone is now frantically packing their bags and sharing photos as the first group leave early in the morning. Rumour has it there will be one last game of ‘mafia’ at midnight tonight…
Tel Aviv Beach
Cherie leads us through our last reflection session
Einav talks to us about her experiences over dinner
The afternoon was time for some free time and some hit the shops while others hit the beach. Walking around Tel Aviv was a culture shock for some of us, having been away from big cities for most of our time here.
And then this evening it was time for our final reflection and for the official goodbyes to start. What was evident in the reflection is the bond that has been created between us through our shared experiences on this journey. We need to keep reminding ourselves that this is just the beginning of a personal journey for each of us, and to continue supporting each other once we say goodbye tomorrow.
Everyone is now frantically packing their bags and sharing photos as the first group leave early in the morning. Rumour has it there will be one last game of ‘mafia’ at midnight tonight…
Tel Aviv Beach
Cherie leads us through our last reflection session
Einav talks to us about her experiences over dinner
We’re in Tel Aviv! (October 15th)
This morning we left Nazareth and went to visit an Israeli army base near Tel Aviv. We were hosted by the Home Front Command, who explained to us how they protect and support civilians in different types of emergencies, including natural disasters and conflicts. Einav, a 2004 Action Partner had organised the visit for us and for people to show us around. We also bumped into Daniel, a 2007 Action Partner, while we were there (I think he possibly might have been tipped off about our visit?!).
From the army base we travelled on to Tel Aviv, where we are staying at a really cool hotel which features the work of different Israeli artists on each level. Our rooms even have coloured pencils in them in case we are feeling creative.
This evening we were hosted by the Australian Embassy, who organised a function and invited diplomats from other embassies in Israel. Cherie spoke to the group about OIYP and the YPMM program and Robson represented the participants and shared some of his personal experiences throughout the program. We also listened to presentations from the Australian Ambassador and the Egyptian Ambassador – both of whom were very enthusiastic about the program and inspired by the Action Partners they had spoken to.
After the function the night was still young so we ventured to the Harbour where Einav had organised dinner at a beachside restaurant with lots and lots of yummy food. Those of us who still had some energy left went to a party with Einav and her friends that was at an art gallery.
We have one more day all together tomorrow. Some of us are feeling a bit weird about going home and trying to explain to our family and friends about our experiences here. Hopefully this blog and the photos will help a little and we recognise that some things are difficult to explain – please be patient with us! :)
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Party at an art gallery
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Dinner by the beach
Mingling at the Australian Embassy
From the army base we travelled on to Tel Aviv, where we are staying at a really cool hotel which features the work of different Israeli artists on each level. Our rooms even have coloured pencils in them in case we are feeling creative.
This evening we were hosted by the Australian Embassy, who organised a function and invited diplomats from other embassies in Israel. Cherie spoke to the group about OIYP and the YPMM program and Robson represented the participants and shared some of his personal experiences throughout the program. We also listened to presentations from the Australian Ambassador and the Egyptian Ambassador – both of whom were very enthusiastic about the program and inspired by the Action Partners they had spoken to.
After the function the night was still young so we ventured to the Harbour where Einav had organised dinner at a beachside restaurant with lots and lots of yummy food. Those of us who still had some energy left went to a party with Einav and her friends that was at an art gallery.
We have one more day all together tomorrow. Some of us are feeling a bit weird about going home and trying to explain to our family and friends about our experiences here. Hopefully this blog and the photos will help a little and we recognise that some things are difficult to explain – please be patient with us! :)
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Party at an art gallery
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Dinner by the beach
Mingling at the Australian Embassy
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Where borders meet (14th October)
We spent most of our day today at Golan Heights, on the border of Israel, Syria and Lebanon. It felt kind of weird to look across over a hill and know that we were looking at a different country. It was crazy to learn how the people of Golan Heights, who consider themselves Syrian, are unable to cross over the valley we were looking at, into Syria. Many of them have family across the border that they are not able to visit. The area between the two ‘countries’ is full of land mines, as is much of the area in Golan Heights. You can be certain that we were very careful where we walked!!
From Golan Heights we travelled to the Sea of Galilee, where we had planned to go on a boat cruise. Unfortunately the boat company messed us around and we had to cancel. This allowed for some shopping time and time in the Old City of Nazareth.
We are having an early night tonight as we prepare for our last two days, which will be in Tel Aviv. Einav, a 2004 Action Partner, has planned lots of activities for us – should be interesting!
The Sea of Galilee
Mary, Mussa and Eric - picking apples
Looking at Syria across the border
Landmine sign
From Golan Heights we travelled to the Sea of Galilee, where we had planned to go on a boat cruise. Unfortunately the boat company messed us around and we had to cancel. This allowed for some shopping time and time in the Old City of Nazareth.
We are having an early night tonight as we prepare for our last two days, which will be in Tel Aviv. Einav, a 2004 Action Partner, has planned lots of activities for us – should be interesting!
The Sea of Galilee
Mary, Mussa and Eric - picking apples
Looking at Syria across the border
Landmine sign
Exploring diversity in Nazareth (13th October)
After saying goodbye to our Palestinian friends last night, most of us are feeling a bit flat and tired today. Normally our bus trips are filled with lots of chatter, but today most were taking the opportunity to catch up on some shut eye and there was definitely lots of energy missing from our group. We needed Mohsen to make us laugh or all of the Palestinian guys to break out in song at random times – their absence in our group was deeply felt today.
Our activities today included visiting a Kibbutz, where one of the community members shared how the members of the Kibbutz have worked together with their Arab neighbours and refused to engage in conflict with each other. We also had the opportunity to visit a miniature Nazareth, a replica of what it was like here 2000 years ago. In the afternoon, we visited a Suffi community, a form of Islam and also learned of the projects they are doing in the aim of creating peace.
We took some time out together tonight to reflect on where we are at and how we are feeling now that we have left Bethlehem. For many of us, it was hard to go back into ‘tourist’ mode today and not have the same opportunities for conversations that we have had in the last eight days. There is a lot for each of us to process and the prospect of explaining our experiences to our friends and family back home is going to be tough. Below, Mary shares how she is feeling and planning for when she returns home:
“After leaving the Palestinian friends, like most of us feeling so tired and so sad to leave the Palestinian friends. When we are in bus normally people won’t feel sleepy, but what i experience during our travel to Nazareth now is that all of us were feel sleepy. I think that all of us were missed our friends the Palestinians in Bethlehem.
And during our visit to Kibbutz, where their spoke man talked about how the life of the community’s people and I am so interest to hear that and he also talk about they were independent from Israel. Why i am interest to hear hem talking about their community, because like in my country we were also, and what he talk about is true, like in Solomon, there is no good Education. We are so lucky to have opportunities to visit Nazareth village, because we hear a lot from the Bible story and also in church that so amazing for me after 2000 years ago now. Later in the afternoon we visit the suffi community, one of their spoke man about the difference between the Islam and muslim people and he also talk about who their project work.
I think for me, when I return back home, I will try to stay in connect with each other, because it quite hard for me to access to email, it’s too expensive to check email in internet café. If people had a job with the computer they were lucky , because they will access to check email.”
PS. Having trouble uploading photos - will try again tomorrow.
Our activities today included visiting a Kibbutz, where one of the community members shared how the members of the Kibbutz have worked together with their Arab neighbours and refused to engage in conflict with each other. We also had the opportunity to visit a miniature Nazareth, a replica of what it was like here 2000 years ago. In the afternoon, we visited a Suffi community, a form of Islam and also learned of the projects they are doing in the aim of creating peace.
We took some time out together tonight to reflect on where we are at and how we are feeling now that we have left Bethlehem. For many of us, it was hard to go back into ‘tourist’ mode today and not have the same opportunities for conversations that we have had in the last eight days. There is a lot for each of us to process and the prospect of explaining our experiences to our friends and family back home is going to be tough. Below, Mary shares how she is feeling and planning for when she returns home:
“After leaving the Palestinian friends, like most of us feeling so tired and so sad to leave the Palestinian friends. When we are in bus normally people won’t feel sleepy, but what i experience during our travel to Nazareth now is that all of us were feel sleepy. I think that all of us were missed our friends the Palestinians in Bethlehem.
And during our visit to Kibbutz, where their spoke man talked about how the life of the community’s people and I am so interest to hear that and he also talk about they were independent from Israel. Why i am interest to hear hem talking about their community, because like in my country we were also, and what he talk about is true, like in Solomon, there is no good Education. We are so lucky to have opportunities to visit Nazareth village, because we hear a lot from the Bible story and also in church that so amazing for me after 2000 years ago now. Later in the afternoon we visit the suffi community, one of their spoke man about the difference between the Islam and muslim people and he also talk about who their project work.
I think for me, when I return back home, I will try to stay in connect with each other, because it quite hard for me to access to email, it’s too expensive to check email in internet café. If people had a job with the computer they were lucky , because they will access to check email.”
PS. Having trouble uploading photos - will try again tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Taking time out in the Dead Sea (12th October)
Today, after a session on non violence run by Ahmad in the morning, we went for a day trip to the Dead Sea. We stopped in Jericho for lunch on the way and before we knew it we were floating in the super salty water (so salty it causes temporary blindness if it gets in your eyes, as some of us found out unfortunately). It was so nice to relax and float around in the water, and have mud baths!
The day was extra special as it was the first time for some of the Palestinians to visit the Dead Sea. We were a bit nervous about the check points we had to go through, but had no problems, and it felt like the fitting way to spend our last day together –hanging out and having fun.
The goodbyes when we got back to Bethlehem were tough. No one wanted to get on the bus and there was a rollercoaster of emotions, from sadness at saying goodbye to new friends, guilt at moving on to a place that they are not able to travel to (due to not having a permit) and happiness at the realisation of the amazing friendships and connections that have been made. Our time in Bethlehem is definitely something each of us will treasure in different ways.
Below, Georgina shares her reflections on the day at the Dead Sea and the goodbye:
"It’s unbelievable that our Palestinians friends have been denied access to the Dead Sea for more than 10 years and it’s ironic that some of them were just like us, visiting the Dead Sea for the first time in their lives. They told us that, it was because of this programme that they have the chance to travel around, otherwise their lives would be just about the refugee camps.
Nonetheless, we all enjoyed so much for the time being together. It’s amazing that the ties between us are so strong already. On my way back to Hostel, I was sitting with Motaz. I wrote the Chinese words “I will miss you” on his hand, like tattoos, and he did the same in Arabic on my hand. And I am sure, we will keep in touch and I would be coming back to this lovely city, Bethlehem, which my friends here. He taught me to say “I will miss you” and “wish you all the best” (Dear Balik Allah Hallik) in Arabic as well. I hugged them one by one and said that to each of my Palestinian friend.
During the 2 hour trip to Nazareth, Action Partners were extremely quiet. At that moment, I realize how much energy our Palestinian friends have been adding to our group. I just miss them so much, their “ya~ la~ ya-la” (let’s go), their rhythmic clapping and even their smell of cigarette smoke (which I could hardly accept on the first few days I met them). They are such wonderful people!"
Georgina, Sudha, Gabriella and Mary
Looking across the Dead Sea to Jordan
Saying goodbye at Al Feniq
The day was extra special as it was the first time for some of the Palestinians to visit the Dead Sea. We were a bit nervous about the check points we had to go through, but had no problems, and it felt like the fitting way to spend our last day together –hanging out and having fun.
The goodbyes when we got back to Bethlehem were tough. No one wanted to get on the bus and there was a rollercoaster of emotions, from sadness at saying goodbye to new friends, guilt at moving on to a place that they are not able to travel to (due to not having a permit) and happiness at the realisation of the amazing friendships and connections that have been made. Our time in Bethlehem is definitely something each of us will treasure in different ways.
Below, Georgina shares her reflections on the day at the Dead Sea and the goodbye:
"It’s unbelievable that our Palestinians friends have been denied access to the Dead Sea for more than 10 years and it’s ironic that some of them were just like us, visiting the Dead Sea for the first time in their lives. They told us that, it was because of this programme that they have the chance to travel around, otherwise their lives would be just about the refugee camps.
Nonetheless, we all enjoyed so much for the time being together. It’s amazing that the ties between us are so strong already. On my way back to Hostel, I was sitting with Motaz. I wrote the Chinese words “I will miss you” on his hand, like tattoos, and he did the same in Arabic on my hand. And I am sure, we will keep in touch and I would be coming back to this lovely city, Bethlehem, which my friends here. He taught me to say “I will miss you” and “wish you all the best” (Dear Balik Allah Hallik) in Arabic as well. I hugged them one by one and said that to each of my Palestinian friend.
During the 2 hour trip to Nazareth, Action Partners were extremely quiet. At that moment, I realize how much energy our Palestinian friends have been adding to our group. I just miss them so much, their “ya~ la~ ya-la” (let’s go), their rhythmic clapping and even their smell of cigarette smoke (which I could hardly accept on the first few days I met them). They are such wonderful people!"
Georgina, Sudha, Gabriella and Mary
Looking across the Dead Sea to Jordan
Saying goodbye at Al Feniq
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Taking the stage (11th October)
We did it! After a week of daily circus and theatre sessions, today the YPMM participants performed for the local community. This was our chance to give back to the community who have been so giving to us and have made us feel so welcome here. The circus clowns got the show on the road and walked through Azzeh refugee camp, where they created a spectacle and soon had a group of children following them. As the group walked towards the theatre at Aida refugee camp (located directly next to the Separation Wall) they encountered a number of children who were just leaving school and joined in the march. By the time they reached the theatre over 100 children had joined us and were treated to some circus tricks of juggling, diablo and human pyramids by our talented circus group (see pics below and on flickr). The theatre group then took the stage and impressed all with their performance which explored the conflicts, identity and self expression of the performers in a very moving way. Below, one of the theatre performers, Gabriella, shares her reflections of today:
“Working together on the performance gave us all a sensation of community and we found a deeper way to communicate with each other, maybe more direct than the usual conversations. The kids enjoyed the circus performance and asked many questions about the drama and the conflict, so we could be proud of our little job. Some of us were excited at the beginning because of the audience, but yesterday we worked a lot, conquering more confidence one in another. None of us have ever acted or been a clown before, but the thing we cared about mostly was just enjoying the kids and trying to explore the conflict that affects the everyday life of the families in the camp. We must thank our coaches: Mohammed and Mahmoud, who drove us during this week, building up all that we made today starting from scratch.
Today the sun was very hot when we arrived at the Aida camp to practise before the performance. There were some people in the street, the kids were so curious to peek in and were so nice when we started to ask them their name with our minimal Arabic vocabulary. We needed to go to the toilet and a lady opened us the door of her house in a so easy way and started to try to talk with us though we had not a common language. The people are always so kind here and also our Palestinian friends paid so much attention to everything we should need in our time here.
I hope the kids that were today at the Aida camp should take our message for their future and that the conflict could be transformed, making of it just a drama performance”.
A surprise also made her way to the theatre and we were so excited to see Palestinian Action Partner, Manar, who had heard about our performance after bumping into someone from the Holy Land Trust. Lots and lots of hugs and stories were exchanged as we brought up Manar up to date with what we had been doing and caught up on her news.
To say many of us are feeling a tad overwhelmed at the moment would be an understatement. It’s been a big eight days in Bethlehem and the surrounding area that we have shared with the Palestinian participants, and the prospect of saying goodbye to people tomorrow, who are so integral to our group, and with whom we have shared so much, is daunting. We are so grateful to them for welcoming us so warmly to their country, for sharing with us about the context here, and most importantly, for allowing us to get to know each of them individually. We have been touched by each of their stories and hope they have learnt something from ours.
Theatre performance
theatre performance
Clowning around in Aida camp
The clowns warm up the crowd
“Working together on the performance gave us all a sensation of community and we found a deeper way to communicate with each other, maybe more direct than the usual conversations. The kids enjoyed the circus performance and asked many questions about the drama and the conflict, so we could be proud of our little job. Some of us were excited at the beginning because of the audience, but yesterday we worked a lot, conquering more confidence one in another. None of us have ever acted or been a clown before, but the thing we cared about mostly was just enjoying the kids and trying to explore the conflict that affects the everyday life of the families in the camp. We must thank our coaches: Mohammed and Mahmoud, who drove us during this week, building up all that we made today starting from scratch.
Today the sun was very hot when we arrived at the Aida camp to practise before the performance. There were some people in the street, the kids were so curious to peek in and were so nice when we started to ask them their name with our minimal Arabic vocabulary. We needed to go to the toilet and a lady opened us the door of her house in a so easy way and started to try to talk with us though we had not a common language. The people are always so kind here and also our Palestinian friends paid so much attention to everything we should need in our time here.
I hope the kids that were today at the Aida camp should take our message for their future and that the conflict could be transformed, making of it just a drama performance”.
A surprise also made her way to the theatre and we were so excited to see Palestinian Action Partner, Manar, who had heard about our performance after bumping into someone from the Holy Land Trust. Lots and lots of hugs and stories were exchanged as we brought up Manar up to date with what we had been doing and caught up on her news.
To say many of us are feeling a tad overwhelmed at the moment would be an understatement. It’s been a big eight days in Bethlehem and the surrounding area that we have shared with the Palestinian participants, and the prospect of saying goodbye to people tomorrow, who are so integral to our group, and with whom we have shared so much, is daunting. We are so grateful to them for welcoming us so warmly to their country, for sharing with us about the context here, and most importantly, for allowing us to get to know each of them individually. We have been touched by each of their stories and hope they have learnt something from ours.
Theatre performance
theatre performance
Clowning around in Aida camp
The clowns warm up the crowd
A REFLECTION FROM THE YPMM COORDINATOR
It is very easy to see the injustice here and to make bold statements about whole peoples. Who is right and who is wrong. The question I always ask myself while I am here is regardless of who belongs to which culture, religion, social or political faction can I always recognise that this is simply a fellow human being standing in front of me? Can I refuse to see whole enemies? Does the action of one individual make me create a judgement on a whole people?
I feel that the day I see whole enemies I can no longer see the human being. I can no longer see the victim and the perpetrator that exists within each of us. What I have seen here is a numbness of people including from the international participants. Suffering in this world has become far too common, whether it be in our personal relationships in our daily lives or on issues such as the Israeli and Palestinian conflict.
I have enjoyed this experience because it is not just about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It is about all of us, how we see ourselves, how we grow, how we express ourselves and how we can connect this countries experience with the conflicts we face in our own countries and the conflicts we face within ourselves. Can we contribute to each others healing? I think yes.
This journey has not been easy. Organising these types of programs you always feel a huge sense of responsibility. Letting people be where they are in their experience whether it is positive or negative is difficult. Allowing people to form opinions when you want them to remain open is also difficult as each interpret the realities here differently.
It is especially hard when you see people going into a negative space within themselves, but it is even more important to give them the space to be where they need to be in that negativity.
I have also had to find the balance between my role here and also allowing myself to be in my own journey. I am learning so much from all the locals we meet and the other Action Partners. Not everything has gone according to plan, actually not a lot has gone to plan. However as a result, we have experienced things that I could never have planned for if I tried.
Most of all I have really enjoyed the laughter on this trip and there has been a lot of it. I particularly enjoyed learning Hindu chanting from Sudha. We got up at 6:30 am for a morning chant. The diversity of the group and the way the group has come together has also been an interesting process.
Today we are performing for the local community and then we will be having some fun and taking some time out. When I explained that I was bringing young people to Israel/Palestine to take time out and self reflect a friend laughed at me and said “you are taking young people to have a break (time out) and have some fun in Israel/Palestine”? “Are you crazy”? Perhaps I am .
I feel that the day I see whole enemies I can no longer see the human being. I can no longer see the victim and the perpetrator that exists within each of us. What I have seen here is a numbness of people including from the international participants. Suffering in this world has become far too common, whether it be in our personal relationships in our daily lives or on issues such as the Israeli and Palestinian conflict.
I have enjoyed this experience because it is not just about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It is about all of us, how we see ourselves, how we grow, how we express ourselves and how we can connect this countries experience with the conflicts we face in our own countries and the conflicts we face within ourselves. Can we contribute to each others healing? I think yes.
This journey has not been easy. Organising these types of programs you always feel a huge sense of responsibility. Letting people be where they are in their experience whether it is positive or negative is difficult. Allowing people to form opinions when you want them to remain open is also difficult as each interpret the realities here differently.
It is especially hard when you see people going into a negative space within themselves, but it is even more important to give them the space to be where they need to be in that negativity.
I have also had to find the balance between my role here and also allowing myself to be in my own journey. I am learning so much from all the locals we meet and the other Action Partners. Not everything has gone according to plan, actually not a lot has gone to plan. However as a result, we have experienced things that I could never have planned for if I tried.
Most of all I have really enjoyed the laughter on this trip and there has been a lot of it. I particularly enjoyed learning Hindu chanting from Sudha. We got up at 6:30 am for a morning chant. The diversity of the group and the way the group has come together has also been an interesting process.
Today we are performing for the local community and then we will be having some fun and taking some time out. When I explained that I was bringing young people to Israel/Palestine to take time out and self reflect a friend laughed at me and said “you are taking young people to have a break (time out) and have some fun in Israel/Palestine”? “Are you crazy”? Perhaps I am .
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Making connections with the land (10th October)
We’ve returned to Bethlehem after two nights of camping at a place called the Tent of Nations. The place is run by the Nassar family, who received it from their great grand father (see their website at www.tentofnations.org for more information).
During our time there we had a chance to look around and also to work on the land as a way to contribute to the community here. (See pictures below and on flickr of one of the walls that was built). We were also able to chat with Daoud about land and identity, and share our own experiences. According to him, the identity of Palestinian people are strongly linked with the land. On the context of our programme, some of them has lost their land (living in refugee camp since more than 20 years) and many are struggling against occupation to keep theirs.
Here are some of the experiences of our group regarding the discussion:
In Marcus’s community for example, people believe that land is older than human. There, land and forest are using for traditional ceremony and there is not limitation on the land in their conception.
Regarding Eric’s experience, on his community, people identify themselves by the geographical area where they come from, that’s means from the land were they are born. Regarding the disrespect of the land and many lands conflicts in the world raise by one participant, he said that we should have a global approach of the problem and should commit ourselves wherever we are to respect and save it.
Kuong has brought a different approach on the issue since he is coming from a family which has lost their land because conflict. That is why he suggests to the entire participant to take care of the land wherever they are.
Pip has a different history with the land. As a non-Indigenous person she respects the connection and guardianship that Indigenous people have with the land. However, as a 5th generation New Zealander, she also shares a strong connection with the land as her family have lived and worked on the land since at least as far back as their arrival in New Zealand. She believes it is crucial to develop this understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous people of settler nation-states to ensure that the land is cared for appropriately and that the identity of all is respected.
The time at the Tent of Nations also provided an opportunity for us to share about ourselves (culture, work, etc), including our talents. The first night saw songs from different places, including the Solomon Islands and Africa accompanied by drum beats. We also learnt a cheerleading chant from Hong Kong! Mohsen then taught us some Palestinian songs as he played the guitar and the guys demonstrated some dancing. Other guests at the Tent of Nations were so impressed with our singing and dancing that why they came to join us again on the second night where they took part by sharing various performances.
This morning we left the Tent of Nations and drove out to the desert, were we spoke to a couple of guys from the Bedouin community. We learnt how the Bedouins, who are nomadic people, are viewed by some as lower class peasants, and how some of them are Palestinian and some are Israeli. We heard how their connection to land did not necessarily means economic exploitation or construction of various facility but respecting the land as they move around.
After some shopping time in the old city of Bethlehem , we are now back at our accommodation and (after a shower) are frantically practicing for our big circus and theatre performances in Azzeh and Aida refugee camps tomorrow. Wish us luck!!
(Eric and Amy)
Daoud talks to our group at the Tent of Nations
Gabriella, Georgina, Mary and Marcus with the wall that they built
The circus performers practice at the Tent of Nations
Desert headware?
The desert - Bedouin tent is the dot in the middle of the photo
During our time there we had a chance to look around and also to work on the land as a way to contribute to the community here. (See pictures below and on flickr of one of the walls that was built). We were also able to chat with Daoud about land and identity, and share our own experiences. According to him, the identity of Palestinian people are strongly linked with the land. On the context of our programme, some of them has lost their land (living in refugee camp since more than 20 years) and many are struggling against occupation to keep theirs.
Here are some of the experiences of our group regarding the discussion:
In Marcus’s community for example, people believe that land is older than human. There, land and forest are using for traditional ceremony and there is not limitation on the land in their conception.
Regarding Eric’s experience, on his community, people identify themselves by the geographical area where they come from, that’s means from the land were they are born. Regarding the disrespect of the land and many lands conflicts in the world raise by one participant, he said that we should have a global approach of the problem and should commit ourselves wherever we are to respect and save it.
Kuong has brought a different approach on the issue since he is coming from a family which has lost their land because conflict. That is why he suggests to the entire participant to take care of the land wherever they are.
Pip has a different history with the land. As a non-Indigenous person she respects the connection and guardianship that Indigenous people have with the land. However, as a 5th generation New Zealander, she also shares a strong connection with the land as her family have lived and worked on the land since at least as far back as their arrival in New Zealand. She believes it is crucial to develop this understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous people of settler nation-states to ensure that the land is cared for appropriately and that the identity of all is respected.
The time at the Tent of Nations also provided an opportunity for us to share about ourselves (culture, work, etc), including our talents. The first night saw songs from different places, including the Solomon Islands and Africa accompanied by drum beats. We also learnt a cheerleading chant from Hong Kong! Mohsen then taught us some Palestinian songs as he played the guitar and the guys demonstrated some dancing. Other guests at the Tent of Nations were so impressed with our singing and dancing that why they came to join us again on the second night where they took part by sharing various performances.
This morning we left the Tent of Nations and drove out to the desert, were we spoke to a couple of guys from the Bedouin community. We learnt how the Bedouins, who are nomadic people, are viewed by some as lower class peasants, and how some of them are Palestinian and some are Israeli. We heard how their connection to land did not necessarily means economic exploitation or construction of various facility but respecting the land as they move around.
After some shopping time in the old city of Bethlehem , we are now back at our accommodation and (after a shower) are frantically practicing for our big circus and theatre performances in Azzeh and Aida refugee camps tomorrow. Wish us luck!!
(Eric and Amy)
Daoud talks to our group at the Tent of Nations
Gabriella, Georgina, Mary and Marcus with the wall that they built
The circus performers practice at the Tent of Nations
Desert headware?
The desert - Bedouin tent is the dot in the middle of the photo
Thursday, October 8, 2009
We're going camping (8th October)
Hi everyone,
Just to let you know we'll be offline for a couple of days. We're going camping for 2 nights at the Tent of Nations, where we will be discussing land and identity, and contributing to a land project. We get back to Bethlehem on the 10th, so keep an eye out for updates then.
Just to let you know we'll be offline for a couple of days. We're going camping for 2 nights at the Tent of Nations, where we will be discussing land and identity, and contributing to a land project. We get back to Bethlehem on the 10th, so keep an eye out for updates then.
“This is for your safety.” (By Kuong , 7th October)
In the afternoon, the Action Partners and the Palestinian participants travelled to city of Nablus to see the Samaritan Village. After walking the streets of Nablus and seeing a Turkish bath and a quick stop into a soap factory, we made our way up to the Samaritan Village. Unfortunately, in order for the group to enter the Samaritan Village, we had to enter through a checkpoint that was administered by people who lived in the Israeli settlements. These people are not Israeli soldiers but rather just residents in the settlements who monitor who can or cannot enter the area. But like Israeli soldiers, they too carry guns strapped to their bodies. We were denied entrance and told we had to enter the settlement from an alternative route where there were Israeli soldiers. We had no choice but to co-operate.
After driving about 20 minutes to the other entrance where Israeli soldiers were on guard, Cherie, our fearless Oxfam leader got off the bus and explained to the soldiers that we had a meeting with the Samaritans. We told them we were just a group of international people touring the area. I am convinced that because Cherie, an Australian, spoke to the soldiers, we were allowed to pass through. However, it did take a while for her to convince them. Shortly after, two Israeli soldiers got onto the bus and walked down the aisle to make sure we weren’t hiding anything suspicious or dangerous. At one point, before the soldiers got onto the bus, one of the Palestinian participants had stated that the soldiers may make the Palestinians wait here at the checkpoint while allowing the international visitors through. It seemed that all of the Palestinian participants would be okay with this if this was the outcome.
While a part of me understands why the Palestinians urged the Action Partners to go see the Samaritans Village without them if this is the only option we have, the second part of me felt angry and upset. What person would I be if I allowed myself to go visit the Samaritans with the other Action Partners while leaving behind our Palestinian friends behind? Over the last couple of days both the Action Partners and the Palestinians have created friendship and camaraderie among each other. While at times there are some language barriers between all of us, we have come to appreciate each other’s friendship and company; and I know the Action Partners have been so thankful that the Palestinian participants have allowed us a glimpse into their lives here. Even before the soldiers got on the bus, I had made up my mind that if the Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint were unwilling to allow the Palestinians through with the action partners, then in solidarity, I too would wait behind. Just because I carry an American passport and the Palestinians are forced to carry IDs imposed on them by Israelis does not mean they can be denied the same rights I am granted of mobility. Because Cherie was able to work her magic, after the soldiers checked our bus, we were allowed to visit the Samaritan Village.
On our way back to Bethlehem, many of us had fallen asleep on the bus. When we came to a checkpoint, the lights on the bus came on and we were ordered to pass up our passports and IDs to the front of the bus so that the Israeli soldiers could inspect them. After what seem like seconds from the time our passports reached the hands of the soldiers, one of the Palestinian participants were asked to get off the bus and was thoroughly inspected by the soldiers, none of whom it seemed spoke Arabic. What does it feel like to return to the city you call home and be inspected every time you want to enter and leave? The Palestinians are not criminals but they are treated like criminals in their own home. No right to leave without being checked and no right to enter without being checked. Can Israel believe this is truly humane? What purpose do these checkpoints serve? Perhaps Israeli may argue that this not only for the safety of their nation but also for the safety of Palestinians, the reality is, for the Action Partners like myself who are getting an insight into what it must feel like to be Palestinian, we can only shake our heads in disapproval of how the Palestinians, how our friends here, are treated every day.
Kuong
Editor's note: The Samaritans were an interesting community for us to visit. There are only 700 Samaritans remaining and they live in 2 communities (the other is in Tel Aviv). They speak Arabic and an ancient form of Hebrew (on Saturdays).
The Rabbi in the Samaritan village
Watching how they make kanefeh - a yummy sweet!
After driving about 20 minutes to the other entrance where Israeli soldiers were on guard, Cherie, our fearless Oxfam leader got off the bus and explained to the soldiers that we had a meeting with the Samaritans. We told them we were just a group of international people touring the area. I am convinced that because Cherie, an Australian, spoke to the soldiers, we were allowed to pass through. However, it did take a while for her to convince them. Shortly after, two Israeli soldiers got onto the bus and walked down the aisle to make sure we weren’t hiding anything suspicious or dangerous. At one point, before the soldiers got onto the bus, one of the Palestinian participants had stated that the soldiers may make the Palestinians wait here at the checkpoint while allowing the international visitors through. It seemed that all of the Palestinian participants would be okay with this if this was the outcome.
While a part of me understands why the Palestinians urged the Action Partners to go see the Samaritans Village without them if this is the only option we have, the second part of me felt angry and upset. What person would I be if I allowed myself to go visit the Samaritans with the other Action Partners while leaving behind our Palestinian friends behind? Over the last couple of days both the Action Partners and the Palestinians have created friendship and camaraderie among each other. While at times there are some language barriers between all of us, we have come to appreciate each other’s friendship and company; and I know the Action Partners have been so thankful that the Palestinian participants have allowed us a glimpse into their lives here. Even before the soldiers got on the bus, I had made up my mind that if the Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint were unwilling to allow the Palestinians through with the action partners, then in solidarity, I too would wait behind. Just because I carry an American passport and the Palestinians are forced to carry IDs imposed on them by Israelis does not mean they can be denied the same rights I am granted of mobility. Because Cherie was able to work her magic, after the soldiers checked our bus, we were allowed to visit the Samaritan Village.
On our way back to Bethlehem, many of us had fallen asleep on the bus. When we came to a checkpoint, the lights on the bus came on and we were ordered to pass up our passports and IDs to the front of the bus so that the Israeli soldiers could inspect them. After what seem like seconds from the time our passports reached the hands of the soldiers, one of the Palestinian participants were asked to get off the bus and was thoroughly inspected by the soldiers, none of whom it seemed spoke Arabic. What does it feel like to return to the city you call home and be inspected every time you want to enter and leave? The Palestinians are not criminals but they are treated like criminals in their own home. No right to leave without being checked and no right to enter without being checked. Can Israel believe this is truly humane? What purpose do these checkpoints serve? Perhaps Israeli may argue that this not only for the safety of their nation but also for the safety of Palestinians, the reality is, for the Action Partners like myself who are getting an insight into what it must feel like to be Palestinian, we can only shake our heads in disapproval of how the Palestinians, how our friends here, are treated every day.
Kuong
Editor's note: The Samaritans were an interesting community for us to visit. There are only 700 Samaritans remaining and they live in 2 communities (the other is in Tel Aviv). They speak Arabic and an ancient form of Hebrew (on Saturdays).
The Rabbi in the Samaritan village
Watching how they make kanefeh - a yummy sweet!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Mens business and womens business (6th October)
Today was an opportunity for us to split into two groups, partially imposed due to our visit to a Monastery in Masaba that is a sacred men’s site in which women are not permitted to enter. The conversations that occurred in each group gave us an opportunity to learn from our each other’s contexts and the context we are currently in. It also gave us the chance to discuss how some of our assumptions had been challenged since being here on the gender relations.
When we returned to our accommodation at Al Finnique we got straight into our circus and theatre training in preparation for our performance on the weekend. We spent a large portion of the night playing ‘Mafia’, a game taught to us by Kuong, that resulted in lots of giggles and fun.
Learning to Barbeque Palestinian style at Masaba
The rugged terrain
The view above the Monastery
When we returned to our accommodation at Al Finnique we got straight into our circus and theatre training in preparation for our performance on the weekend. We spent a large portion of the night playing ‘Mafia’, a game taught to us by Kuong, that resulted in lots of giggles and fun.
Learning to Barbeque Palestinian style at Masaba
The rugged terrain
The view above the Monastery
Monday, October 5, 2009
The reality of the Wall (5th October)
Now that we are in Bethlehem, we have been driving past the Wall that divides Israel and the West Bank and the reality of seeing the massive construction is very confronting. This morning we had the opportunity to take a closer look and realise the enormity of it up close. We went to a section near a check point where there was lots of art and some very poignant messages (see some photos below and on Flickr). Our Palestinian friends were great tour guides as we found our way through Bethlehem.
From the Wall, we went to the Nativity Church, where Jesus was believed to be born and then had lunch at ‘The Tent’ restaurant. The afternoon sessions included one on ‘Looking After Yourself’, where we shared ways in which we look after our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health plus a Reflection session on how we are all going so far and things that are on our mind.
Below, Kuong shares his reflections on the day and some of his experiences so far:
What does a world of darkness look like? I asked myself this very question today, after we had a session about looking after ourselves. One of the Palestinians shared with the group about how he listens to music in the dark to help him cope with life in the West Bank. What moved me was when he said, “I hope to one day move away from the darkness of this place, and finally see the sun for the first time. Perhaps to Canada where my brothers live.”
I’ve been in the West Bank for a couple of days now and I am convinced anyone who spends any time in this place cannot escape the issue of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. While many Palestinians here seem to have hope for peaceful coexistence between the two groups, the physical landscape pins Jews against Muslims, Israelis versus Palestinian (this is over simplified of course), but the dry land of rocky hills allows one side to see the other; for the Palestinians, what they see is Jewish settlements being built up on the other side of a wall controlled by Israel. One of the action partners referred to the West Bank as a “modern day jail.” Perhaps this is an over dramatized statement, but in the minds of Palestinians here, many may simply believe that the sun does not shine in the place they call home. After the group visited the wall today, its hard not to sympathize and agree with the Palestinians.
How do the youth of Palestine feel so much pride for their country and believe wholeheartedly that this land belongs to them, when many of them have expressed to me that they would like to leave this place some day. Do you stay and live to resist what they call Israeli occupation of their land, or do you flee in hopes of rebuilding a new life for yourself, leaving your country, your culture, and the only world you’ve known behind? I guess this is an individual choice each Palestinian must make and what roads are open to them during their life.
As I reflect on this trip as an individual journey, I must say that it’s been a difficult one. Having grown up as a refugee and now a citizen of the United States, I find myself comparing my childhood life in impoverish tents in Vietnam with that of Palestinians refugee in permanent building camps that are integrated into the city of Bethlehem. How each of us defines ourselves, whether it be refugee or internally displaced people, is vastly different. Now as an American, I have felt uneasy with what my country has done to the global community and the outcomes of the 1948 agreement on the people of Palestine.
I have come on this trip knowing that I will bare no solution to conflict in the Middle East, and I would be naïve to say I did. What I have is hope. Hope that one day, the people of Palestine will not search to see the sun rise in a place far from here, but instead the sun will rise above the walls that have caused so much pain and bloodshed, and the only remains are not concrete but the darkness that has loomed over this place for far too long.
Kuong
The Wall
The Wall
Outside the Nativity Church
From the Wall, we went to the Nativity Church, where Jesus was believed to be born and then had lunch at ‘The Tent’ restaurant. The afternoon sessions included one on ‘Looking After Yourself’, where we shared ways in which we look after our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health plus a Reflection session on how we are all going so far and things that are on our mind.
Below, Kuong shares his reflections on the day and some of his experiences so far:
What does a world of darkness look like? I asked myself this very question today, after we had a session about looking after ourselves. One of the Palestinians shared with the group about how he listens to music in the dark to help him cope with life in the West Bank. What moved me was when he said, “I hope to one day move away from the darkness of this place, and finally see the sun for the first time. Perhaps to Canada where my brothers live.”
I’ve been in the West Bank for a couple of days now and I am convinced anyone who spends any time in this place cannot escape the issue of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. While many Palestinians here seem to have hope for peaceful coexistence between the two groups, the physical landscape pins Jews against Muslims, Israelis versus Palestinian (this is over simplified of course), but the dry land of rocky hills allows one side to see the other; for the Palestinians, what they see is Jewish settlements being built up on the other side of a wall controlled by Israel. One of the action partners referred to the West Bank as a “modern day jail.” Perhaps this is an over dramatized statement, but in the minds of Palestinians here, many may simply believe that the sun does not shine in the place they call home. After the group visited the wall today, its hard not to sympathize and agree with the Palestinians.
How do the youth of Palestine feel so much pride for their country and believe wholeheartedly that this land belongs to them, when many of them have expressed to me that they would like to leave this place some day. Do you stay and live to resist what they call Israeli occupation of their land, or do you flee in hopes of rebuilding a new life for yourself, leaving your country, your culture, and the only world you’ve known behind? I guess this is an individual choice each Palestinian must make and what roads are open to them during their life.
As I reflect on this trip as an individual journey, I must say that it’s been a difficult one. Having grown up as a refugee and now a citizen of the United States, I find myself comparing my childhood life in impoverish tents in Vietnam with that of Palestinians refugee in permanent building camps that are integrated into the city of Bethlehem. How each of us defines ourselves, whether it be refugee or internally displaced people, is vastly different. Now as an American, I have felt uneasy with what my country has done to the global community and the outcomes of the 1948 agreement on the people of Palestine.
I have come on this trip knowing that I will bare no solution to conflict in the Middle East, and I would be naïve to say I did. What I have is hope. Hope that one day, the people of Palestine will not search to see the sun rise in a place far from here, but instead the sun will rise above the walls that have caused so much pain and bloodshed, and the only remains are not concrete but the darkness that has loomed over this place for far too long.
Kuong
The Wall
The Wall
Outside the Nativity Church
Getting creative in Bethlehem and making connections (4th October)
Today we started to discover our creative side, with our first creative arts session of the program. While we are in Bethlehem, we are having creative arts sessions every day – for both circus and theatre. At the end we will be doing a performance at one of the refugee camps. Who knows what hidden talents we will discover about ourselves and each other?!
In the afternoon, Ahmad (YPMM facilitator, 2004 Action Partner, 2007 M&M!!) took us to his home in Azzeh refugee camp. Ahmad shared with us about how his family had been displaced from the land and had lived in Azzeh since 1948. We learnt about the hardships people living the camps experience but Ahmad also spoke of the hope and optimism that people have that one day they will return to their land.
From the camp we travelled to Taybeh, for the Taybeh Beer Festival. This was a chance for us to witness different cultural dances and have a bit of a dance ourselves. It was also a chance for us to meet and interact with different people and some surprising connections were found. For example, Marcus shares one of his experiences:
I have found it more than difficult here in Palestine to accurately communicate my identity to each individual and community we encounter. I am an Indigenous Miccosukee person from the Maskoke Nation living in a region to where we have been displaced by the occupying government colonially known as the United States. And most locals here are either under the impression that we were eradicated altogether as a People over the course of generations of U.S. perpetrated acts of genocide or possess sentiments of negative stereotypes long imposed on the “Red Indian” by U.S. media- such as flapping their hands over there mouth and making a “whoo whoo” sound and perceiving my skin as a complexion too light for affiliation to an Indigenous group.
As I strolled around the festival area, particularly to admire captivating physical beauty of all the women in the vicinity, I met the father of a girl with whom I had been chatting. Not only did this provide a comforting tone in the situation to meet the father of such a strong and justice-oriented woman, but he was familiar with Indigenous Peoples from my context in a most authentic way. He even called Palestinians “the Native Americans of the Middle East”, recognizing the occupation from which we have suffered immensely. We then proceeded to the toilets, and he asked me if I was interested in looking around the vendor tables who were selling humble crafts displaying their pride in what I would argue to be Palestinian inculturated Christianity. We came across a woman who inquired about my place of origin. I once again attempted to articulate the cultural and political realities of my situation, and she replied with excitement “Do you know the Miccosukee People?” I stood perplexed in disbelief that anyone had heard of my exact village. We have many villages in the Maskoke Nation, and my village is made up of barely 600 persons. This woman told me that she is a school teacher and there is a tiny section from the text book from which she teaches on Indigenous Peoples- from what is commonly known as the U.S.- and there is a clip in the margin of a page that mentions my village. We were both overwhelmed with excitement and she rushed around the table to take pictures with me and seek to confirm the accuracy of her teachings that she annually and proudly shares with her students. For this, I am exceedingly grateful!
With people like this remarkable teacher, I am confident that the story of injustice long endured by my People will continue to permeate the lands and furthermore, break down stereotypes currently shared by those in the region. This reflects the very projection of communal dissemination of knowledge that I embrace as a member of my humble Indigenous community. Each day it becomes more evident to me that grass roots community organizing and education (in all realms of education, not solely employing western pedagogies) to build up communal dignity and integrity, is the most sustainable route for living on which we can embark.
Taybeh - A Palestinian beer
In Azzeh camp
Action Partners and the Palestinian youth at Taybeh Beer Festival
Theatre games
In the afternoon, Ahmad (YPMM facilitator, 2004 Action Partner, 2007 M&M!!) took us to his home in Azzeh refugee camp. Ahmad shared with us about how his family had been displaced from the land and had lived in Azzeh since 1948. We learnt about the hardships people living the camps experience but Ahmad also spoke of the hope and optimism that people have that one day they will return to their land.
From the camp we travelled to Taybeh, for the Taybeh Beer Festival. This was a chance for us to witness different cultural dances and have a bit of a dance ourselves. It was also a chance for us to meet and interact with different people and some surprising connections were found. For example, Marcus shares one of his experiences:
I have found it more than difficult here in Palestine to accurately communicate my identity to each individual and community we encounter. I am an Indigenous Miccosukee person from the Maskoke Nation living in a region to where we have been displaced by the occupying government colonially known as the United States. And most locals here are either under the impression that we were eradicated altogether as a People over the course of generations of U.S. perpetrated acts of genocide or possess sentiments of negative stereotypes long imposed on the “Red Indian” by U.S. media- such as flapping their hands over there mouth and making a “whoo whoo” sound and perceiving my skin as a complexion too light for affiliation to an Indigenous group.
As I strolled around the festival area, particularly to admire captivating physical beauty of all the women in the vicinity, I met the father of a girl with whom I had been chatting. Not only did this provide a comforting tone in the situation to meet the father of such a strong and justice-oriented woman, but he was familiar with Indigenous Peoples from my context in a most authentic way. He even called Palestinians “the Native Americans of the Middle East”, recognizing the occupation from which we have suffered immensely. We then proceeded to the toilets, and he asked me if I was interested in looking around the vendor tables who were selling humble crafts displaying their pride in what I would argue to be Palestinian inculturated Christianity. We came across a woman who inquired about my place of origin. I once again attempted to articulate the cultural and political realities of my situation, and she replied with excitement “Do you know the Miccosukee People?” I stood perplexed in disbelief that anyone had heard of my exact village. We have many villages in the Maskoke Nation, and my village is made up of barely 600 persons. This woman told me that she is a school teacher and there is a tiny section from the text book from which she teaches on Indigenous Peoples- from what is commonly known as the U.S.- and there is a clip in the margin of a page that mentions my village. We were both overwhelmed with excitement and she rushed around the table to take pictures with me and seek to confirm the accuracy of her teachings that she annually and proudly shares with her students. For this, I am exceedingly grateful!
With people like this remarkable teacher, I am confident that the story of injustice long endured by my People will continue to permeate the lands and furthermore, break down stereotypes currently shared by those in the region. This reflects the very projection of communal dissemination of knowledge that I embrace as a member of my humble Indigenous community. Each day it becomes more evident to me that grass roots community organizing and education (in all realms of education, not solely employing western pedagogies) to build up communal dignity and integrity, is the most sustainable route for living on which we can embark.
Taybeh - A Palestinian beer
In Azzeh camp
Action Partners and the Palestinian youth at Taybeh Beer Festival
Theatre games
Walking through the Old City and other areas of Jerusalem (October 3rd)
Everywhere we seem to walk in Jerusalem provides us with an opportunity to learn from what we see, to learn from what we hear, to learn from what we share and to learn from what we feel.
Our walk to experience the Jewish Sukkot festival last night provided us with a unique experience. The opportunity to be walking streets that were filled with Orthodox Jewish families wearing traditional dress and listening and sesome of the last eing groups of men practicing their religion were an experience that we could not expect. At the same time, however, many of us felt uncomfortable and that we were intruding into somebody else’s sacred space.
Today we made use of our last day in Jerusalem to explore the Old City guided by our friend George from Palestine Vision. George led us through the windy streets of the Old City and pointed out some of the sights. For example we stopped to see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in what is believed to be the site of some of the last Stations of the Cross.
Along the way we were able to stop and chat with people we met and to listen to their story. People are also very interested to learn from us and how a group as diverse as we are came together and what we are doing. Through this blog we will aim to share some of these conversations as we go.
We are travelling to Bethlehem tonight and are looking forward to a group of Palestinian youth joining us for the next eight days of the program. We hope to learn from their stories, share our own stories and to contribute to the community where we are staying.
Stay tuned for more updates – and keep a look out for our flickr photos too at http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiyp_kaleidoscope_2007/ and Twitter us @oiyp.
Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Our walk to experience the Jewish Sukkot festival last night provided us with a unique experience. The opportunity to be walking streets that were filled with Orthodox Jewish families wearing traditional dress and listening and sesome of the last eing groups of men practicing their religion were an experience that we could not expect. At the same time, however, many of us felt uncomfortable and that we were intruding into somebody else’s sacred space.
Today we made use of our last day in Jerusalem to explore the Old City guided by our friend George from Palestine Vision. George led us through the windy streets of the Old City and pointed out some of the sights. For example we stopped to see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in what is believed to be the site of some of the last Stations of the Cross.
Along the way we were able to stop and chat with people we met and to listen to their story. People are also very interested to learn from us and how a group as diverse as we are came together and what we are doing. Through this blog we will aim to share some of these conversations as we go.
We are travelling to Bethlehem tonight and are looking forward to a group of Palestinian youth joining us for the next eight days of the program. We hope to learn from their stories, share our own stories and to contribute to the community where we are staying.
Stay tuned for more updates – and keep a look out for our flickr photos too at http://www.flickr.com/photos/oiyp_kaleidoscope_2007/ and Twitter us @oiyp.
Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Friday, October 2, 2009
Listening to stories and about identities (2nd October)
This morning we visited the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. A guide showed us around and spoke to us about the history leading up to, during and after the holocaust. One of the emphases the guide made to us was around the personal stories and identities of the six million people who were killed in the holocaust.
The visit gave us a lot to think about and reflect upon. For example, to hear from Robson, Action Partner from Zimbabwe:
Seeing the visuals and hearing some of the survivors talk about what was happening to them during that time made me reconcile the little that I knew about the holocaust with the actual reality of it. Going in I was like, ‘okay this is just a museum, probably will see a bunch of artefacts’, but I was not really prepared for what I saw and heard in there. In one word I was overwhelmed. At times as the guide was taking us through the different events and periods that eventually lead to holocaust it all felt very clinical like a script that has been memorised over and over but I also felt the pain and injustices that the Jews felt especially when wondered off on my own. Another thing that became more and more evident to me was how even in our darkest hours; during the most trying of trials we could still find beauty and peace if only we could embrace it. There were some touching stories of people who stepped up to help these victims even against insurmountable odds but they did it with no thought of themselves or their well being, they didn’t even do some extravagant action hero save the world stuff but small and simple things done by ordinary people like a no account thief who chose to hide 12 people in the sewers when turning them in would have earned him food and to me that shows that each and everyone of us can contribute to make this world better even if its only by smiling at people, we only have to embrace the goodness in us, appreciate the beauty of God’s creations.
After the museum we had lunch in a park with Gavriel, who shared with us his personal stories and about Judaism. We were surprised to learn that Gavriel, who is an Orthodox Jew, grew up as a Jewish Buddhist in a hippie commune in the US, and also believes in Jesus! That certainly prompted lots of questions which Gavriel was happy to discuss. We have also been privileged to be invited by Gavriel to attend and witness the Sukkot festival late tonight. Sokkut is a Jewish celebration that is a feast of tabernacles. Gavriel explained to us about some of the different practices of Orthodox Jews and some of what we can expect tonight. We’re having some rest time now to prepare – as we’ll be starting at 10pm!
Keep a look out for our update tomorrow on what we experience.
The visit gave us a lot to think about and reflect upon. For example, to hear from Robson, Action Partner from Zimbabwe:
Seeing the visuals and hearing some of the survivors talk about what was happening to them during that time made me reconcile the little that I knew about the holocaust with the actual reality of it. Going in I was like, ‘okay this is just a museum, probably will see a bunch of artefacts’, but I was not really prepared for what I saw and heard in there. In one word I was overwhelmed. At times as the guide was taking us through the different events and periods that eventually lead to holocaust it all felt very clinical like a script that has been memorised over and over but I also felt the pain and injustices that the Jews felt especially when wondered off on my own. Another thing that became more and more evident to me was how even in our darkest hours; during the most trying of trials we could still find beauty and peace if only we could embrace it. There were some touching stories of people who stepped up to help these victims even against insurmountable odds but they did it with no thought of themselves or their well being, they didn’t even do some extravagant action hero save the world stuff but small and simple things done by ordinary people like a no account thief who chose to hide 12 people in the sewers when turning them in would have earned him food and to me that shows that each and everyone of us can contribute to make this world better even if its only by smiling at people, we only have to embrace the goodness in us, appreciate the beauty of God’s creations.
After the museum we had lunch in a park with Gavriel, who shared with us his personal stories and about Judaism. We were surprised to learn that Gavriel, who is an Orthodox Jew, grew up as a Jewish Buddhist in a hippie commune in the US, and also believes in Jesus! That certainly prompted lots of questions which Gavriel was happy to discuss. We have also been privileged to be invited by Gavriel to attend and witness the Sukkot festival late tonight. Sokkut is a Jewish celebration that is a feast of tabernacles. Gavriel explained to us about some of the different practices of Orthodox Jews and some of what we can expect tonight. We’re having some rest time now to prepare – as we’ll be starting at 10pm!
Keep a look out for our update tomorrow on what we experience.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The exploration has begun (1st October)
After an early start for some (due to a 4am arrival for Mussa and Robson, and jet lag for others) the YPMM group explored different parts of Jerusalem today. We were hosted by local youth organisation, Palestine Vision (a partner of Oxfam Great Britain) who took us to West Jerusalem this morning to visit an old village named Enefta, from which Palestinians had been forcibly removed after the war in 1948. At the bottom of a steep walk down was a spring, a holy place for Jewish people who bathe in a pool which cleanses them of wrongdoings. There was a tunnel from the pool leading to the spring which the YPMM group went exploring through.
After the village visit we went to Rami’s house (from Palestine Vision) in the old city of Jerusalem. His Mum taught us how to make a traditional Palestinian dish, which translates into English as “upside down”. We were told it is a local favourite, and judging by the silence as we started eating, I think we agree!!
Although tired and ready for a snooze after the walk and lunch, we pushed through the afternoon and had our program briefing, plus some presentations from Nivine and Eitan from Oxfam GB about their work and their own perspectives of the situation here. It was very insightful to hear perspectives from an Israeli and Palestinian, and about the work Oxfam is doing with both groups.
We’re off to the Mount of Olives for dinner now and a few of us are looking forward to an early night!
Here are Ana’s, Action Partner from Spain, reflections on how she’s feeling today:
Since we have talked to Palestinians and we were informed about the difficulties they have to face up, I found it quite exciting to listen to how they see a conflict they have been involved for many years with hard peace prospectives. Moreover, as the day before we were in contact with an Israeli, I could see how they focused on different issues to explain how they live.
It was also interesting to realize how I felt when I heard Palestinians’s comments. It was shocking when we saw a Palestinian family that had been removed from their home, now occupied by an Israeli family, and how they moved to the other sidewalk of the street and established a small camp, unwilling to go away.
Finally, I agreed with the idea of the programme, that it’s not just to discover from inside the relations between Israelis and Palestinians, but also to find out what it makes me feel. It’s gonna be important to work on self awareness, self expression and self reflections.
After the village visit we went to Rami’s house (from Palestine Vision) in the old city of Jerusalem. His Mum taught us how to make a traditional Palestinian dish, which translates into English as “upside down”. We were told it is a local favourite, and judging by the silence as we started eating, I think we agree!!
Although tired and ready for a snooze after the walk and lunch, we pushed through the afternoon and had our program briefing, plus some presentations from Nivine and Eitan from Oxfam GB about their work and their own perspectives of the situation here. It was very insightful to hear perspectives from an Israeli and Palestinian, and about the work Oxfam is doing with both groups.
We’re off to the Mount of Olives for dinner now and a few of us are looking forward to an early night!
Here are Ana’s, Action Partner from Spain, reflections on how she’s feeling today:
Since we have talked to Palestinians and we were informed about the difficulties they have to face up, I found it quite exciting to listen to how they see a conflict they have been involved for many years with hard peace prospectives. Moreover, as the day before we were in contact with an Israeli, I could see how they focused on different issues to explain how they live.
It was also interesting to realize how I felt when I heard Palestinians’s comments. It was shocking when we saw a Palestinian family that had been removed from their home, now occupied by an Israeli family, and how they moved to the other sidewalk of the street and established a small camp, unwilling to go away.
Finally, I agreed with the idea of the programme, that it’s not just to discover from inside the relations between Israelis and Palestinians, but also to find out what it makes me feel. It’s gonna be important to work on self awareness, self expression and self reflections.
YPMM has arrived in Jerusalem! (30th September)
The 17 day YPMM journey of Israel and Palestine has begun! 10 Action Partners have now arrived in Jerusalem and we celebrated with a yummy Ethiopian Jewish meal tonight. Some of it was very spicy!!
Gavriel, a local Jewish man shared with us lots of interesting information about Jewish culture on our walk to and from the restaurant, including some very interesting details about marriage celebrations!
We walked through the Old City on our way back to our hostel. It was beautiful!
Gavriel, a local Jewish man shared with us lots of interesting information about Jewish culture on our walk to and from the restaurant, including some very interesting details about marriage celebrations!
We walked through the Old City on our way back to our hostel. It was beautiful!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Ready to Go, to Learn and to Act!!!
As all the time I am involving in an activity with many expectations, there are many things inside my mind, meltdown of confidence and confusion. But above all, I am ready to go into my experience in the YPMM programme, I am ready to learn from that incredible experience and I am ready to Act during the programme and beyong.
I am ready to Go, but when you are like me, liking to work under pressure, it is never easy to Go, but I am ready!
Ready because in my point of view, Go is more than take a flight, bus, boat and any other forms of transport. Go is the early stage of my preparation, the psychological and the physical one. Psychologically, I have prepared myself to enjoy with positive attitude the outcome of the journey I am going to. I am ready to support the hard condition of the stay during the programme and also to accept to see injustice for that time, unequal distributions of goods, social injustice. I am ready to support others to enjoy and to fully participate during the journey. Physicaly, I am tried to list what to bring but I know I don’t need so much things. My backpack may be enough for the journey since it is already ready and I am ready to GO.
Fortunately of unfortunately (it is up to you) I am not leaving my home for tourism trip. I am going fully of Joyce, ready to Learn.
In an open mind I am ready to learn about the journey, the various activities plans for those days, AP’s & local community’s experience. At the same manner, I am ready to share wit all my own experience and to actively involve for the success of the programme. For me, each part of the YPMM programme will be a lesson and will need my attention. That’s why I am ready to Learn for the good purpose, share the knowledge and Act.
One of the most valuable way to use the knowledge is to implement it, is to Act when you have it.
When I am figuring myself in the programme I am going in, I am just seeing that Act is not the easy part of what I must have to do because there will be many things. Nevertheless, the APs network and my community could be an easy started to share my experience and the added value I will gain from this experience. Maybe it is not possible to change the world but our action can contribute to achieve the change we want to see. That why, I am ready to Act and to put into practice what I have to translate in practice by the end of the journey.
But for that, I have to wait until the end of the Programme, in the next 20 days and I can wait anymore to be there. I am READY.
Eric D. AP
I am ready to Go, but when you are like me, liking to work under pressure, it is never easy to Go, but I am ready!
Ready because in my point of view, Go is more than take a flight, bus, boat and any other forms of transport. Go is the early stage of my preparation, the psychological and the physical one. Psychologically, I have prepared myself to enjoy with positive attitude the outcome of the journey I am going to. I am ready to support the hard condition of the stay during the programme and also to accept to see injustice for that time, unequal distributions of goods, social injustice. I am ready to support others to enjoy and to fully participate during the journey. Physicaly, I am tried to list what to bring but I know I don’t need so much things. My backpack may be enough for the journey since it is already ready and I am ready to GO.
Fortunately of unfortunately (it is up to you) I am not leaving my home for tourism trip. I am going fully of Joyce, ready to Learn.
In an open mind I am ready to learn about the journey, the various activities plans for those days, AP’s & local community’s experience. At the same manner, I am ready to share wit all my own experience and to actively involve for the success of the programme. For me, each part of the YPMM programme will be a lesson and will need my attention. That’s why I am ready to Learn for the good purpose, share the knowledge and Act.
One of the most valuable way to use the knowledge is to implement it, is to Act when you have it.
When I am figuring myself in the programme I am going in, I am just seeing that Act is not the easy part of what I must have to do because there will be many things. Nevertheless, the APs network and my community could be an easy started to share my experience and the added value I will gain from this experience. Maybe it is not possible to change the world but our action can contribute to achieve the change we want to see. That why, I am ready to Act and to put into practice what I have to translate in practice by the end of the journey.
But for that, I have to wait until the end of the Programme, in the next 20 days and I can wait anymore to be there. I am READY.
Eric D. AP
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Just 4 more weeks, What I am doing
It was a happy the day, the day I open my email box and saw that email telling me that I have been selected to be part of this exceptional programme, the Yana Poorrpa Minot Meng. Since that time, I am working hard to make this opportunity a unique space to discover my potential and develop the necessarily skills to struggle the social change around me.
Be part of this programme has been motivated by my wish to :
o get involved into the work of the host community, in particular the work of the land, planting trees and many others;
o develop my ability to use artistic tools to express my ideas and strengthen the capacities of members of my community;
o live in the real solidarity between cultures and religions, respect for the earth and fundamental values of humanity.
That why I am doing all my best to reach all these.
Practically, I am preparing my travel and thinking about my journey in Israel/Palestine.
Regarding the travel, my visa has just been granted last week and I think that I am lucky since I know that many of my fellow’s action partners are suffering around the world to get it. Since I am more “certain” to attend the 17 days programme, I am trying to improve my basic and little knowledge of the region by reading and searching on internet. I am focus myself particularly on the various place we are suppose to go during the 17 days. Know more about culture, politic, economic justice, youth policy, access to essential services, gender, civil organization and their area of interest, human right of people in the middle East context.
By doing this, I expect by the end of the programme to break the stereotype I have about the region, learn the various example of people from there.
Regarding the output of the programme, I am trying to set up some personal expectation that I hope to share with all of you very soon.
Before October, we have now just 4 weeks, so I believe that the time wills flying and I am already excited to meet member of the OIYP family.
Eric D. AP.
Be part of this programme has been motivated by my wish to :
o get involved into the work of the host community, in particular the work of the land, planting trees and many others;
o develop my ability to use artistic tools to express my ideas and strengthen the capacities of members of my community;
o live in the real solidarity between cultures and religions, respect for the earth and fundamental values of humanity.
That why I am doing all my best to reach all these.
Practically, I am preparing my travel and thinking about my journey in Israel/Palestine.
Regarding the travel, my visa has just been granted last week and I think that I am lucky since I know that many of my fellow’s action partners are suffering around the world to get it. Since I am more “certain” to attend the 17 days programme, I am trying to improve my basic and little knowledge of the region by reading and searching on internet. I am focus myself particularly on the various place we are suppose to go during the 17 days. Know more about culture, politic, economic justice, youth policy, access to essential services, gender, civil organization and their area of interest, human right of people in the middle East context.
By doing this, I expect by the end of the programme to break the stereotype I have about the region, learn the various example of people from there.
Regarding the output of the programme, I am trying to set up some personal expectation that I hope to share with all of you very soon.
Before October, we have now just 4 weeks, so I believe that the time wills flying and I am already excited to meet member of the OIYP family.
Eric D. AP.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Yana Poorpa Minot Meng
Many of you were interested in remaining involved and updated on the OIYP YPMM program. This blog has been set up to inform you of the progress of the YPMM program and to allow you the space to ask questions and comment about the planning, preparation and YPMM program.
During the 17 days (1-17th October) the blog will be updated daily by facilitators. Please ask questions of Action Partners about their daily experiences and each day we will get YPMM participants to respond.
For me personally I have been living in Bethlehem for the last 2.5 months working with locals on helping develop the 17 day program. It has not been easy as there are 16 different Action Partner intentions for wanting to be involved in YPMM and different expectations. There are also the needs and expectations of the local community. It is not easy but not impossible to create a program that allows everyone to have a meaningful experience.
The common theme amongst all involved is the link with creative arts, self expression, self awareness and self reflection. It may seem like an easy project where people can take time out away from their communities and have unique experiences, however this is more challenging then one would think.
This program requires everyone to be responsible for their learning. It is not the responsibility of the facilitators to deliver the learning to Action Partners but instead offer support and guidance to make the most out of all the experiences offered throughout the program
The planning to date has gone smoothly despite working in an area with many political sensitivities.
Please let me know if there is anything specifically you would like to know and I will be more then happy to respond.
During the next two months you might see some posts from the Action Partners and others regarding their preparation.
In Unity
Cherie (YPMM Coordinator) xox
During the 17 days (1-17th October) the blog will be updated daily by facilitators. Please ask questions of Action Partners about their daily experiences and each day we will get YPMM participants to respond.
For me personally I have been living in Bethlehem for the last 2.5 months working with locals on helping develop the 17 day program. It has not been easy as there are 16 different Action Partner intentions for wanting to be involved in YPMM and different expectations. There are also the needs and expectations of the local community. It is not easy but not impossible to create a program that allows everyone to have a meaningful experience.
The common theme amongst all involved is the link with creative arts, self expression, self awareness and self reflection. It may seem like an easy project where people can take time out away from their communities and have unique experiences, however this is more challenging then one would think.
This program requires everyone to be responsible for their learning. It is not the responsibility of the facilitators to deliver the learning to Action Partners but instead offer support and guidance to make the most out of all the experiences offered throughout the program
The planning to date has gone smoothly despite working in an area with many political sensitivities.
Please let me know if there is anything specifically you would like to know and I will be more then happy to respond.
During the next two months you might see some posts from the Action Partners and others regarding their preparation.
In Unity
Cherie (YPMM Coordinator) xox
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