FOLLOW US
Youth UPF
European Youth Help with Art Projects in Beit Shemesh
Written by Adrial Trombin and Hod Ben Zvi
Monday, August 4, 2008
Fifteen young Europeans arrived in Jerusalem on July 1 for an International Youth Leadership project. The program included four days in Bethlehem and 12 days helping at a summer camp in Beit Shemesh. The director of the project was Adriel Trombin from Luxemburg along with Natalie Nylen from Sweden and Chigozie Ahunanya from Malta. The project was supported by the Israeli branch of the Youth Federation for World Peace and guided by the Secretary General of UPF-Israel, Mr. Hod Ben Zvi. Local partners included Aiman from Palestine and Meir and Harley from the Beit Shemesh municipality.
The first day of the summer camp the participants were divided into different groups of art, sports and music. Natalie organized the art project for the older kids, who made lizards out of beads. The kids in the summer camp came from very poor families; some of the parents were addicted to drugs or alcohol and the kids begged on the streets for food. We were told beforehand that the kids came from unstable home situations, but didn’t quite realize the challenges we met them.
Contributions were mainly in the area of arts, especially making a big menorah out of blocks of clay and cement. The young Europeans faced many challenges in communicating not only with the children but also with the local staff. This was not only due to language barrier but also because cultural differences.
There was a lot to learn and reflect upon. The planning team met with the organizers in advance to work out details. However, regarding the art project, there wasn't a clear understanding of what the kids were capable of doing, and more advance dialog with the staff who work with these kids throughout the year would have been helpful
One of the most moving experiencing was the home stay with local families in Beit Shemesh. Lovely families took participants into their home for the weekend. Celebrating the Shabbat together was a new experience for most of the Europeans. The families fed the young people and their children played with them. When the Shabbat was over everyone met together on the basketball field. The mayor hosted a farewell dinner, giving each participant and each family a beautiful certificate of participation with their own photo in the center.
Although the focus was on service rather than dialogue and fact finding, some participants had profound insights into the situation in Israel and Palestine. One of the participants commented, “As I learned more about the situation of the Palestinian youth and the hard times they are going through, my heart really opened towards them and I noticed their hearts opening towards us to a greater extent. Reflecting on our experiences I suddenly felt such a deep love towards all of them and a great sadness in knowing how much hate and resentment is surrounding the situation. I felt the natural urge to dedicate a portion of the journey to pray for them. I realized that the true purpose of the project was more than restoring buildings and helping at a summer camp but to really gain a deeper understanding of the situation and help remind the people on both sides that there are people who care. After this trip I feel such a greater desire for peace and feel I want to do more to help in later life.”
At a reflection meeting at UPF peace center in Jerusalem, participants learned about the foundation laid through the Middle East Peace Initiative work over the years to develop a culture of peace.
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Albania
UPF-Albania Honors Ambassador for Peace on UN International Day of Peace
Peshkopi, Albania—One of the first Ambassadors for Peace was posthumously made an Honorary Citizen of the city.
France
UPF-France Hosts Interdenominational Discussion
Paris, France—“Blessed Are Those Who Mourn” was the theme of the 28th Francophone Scriptural Sharing.
United Kingdom
UPF-UK Visits Hindu Youth Summer Camp
Birmingham, United Kingdom—UPF spoke to around 120 Hindu youths about interfaith and peace activities.