A Safe Place for Kids in Deheishe Refugee Camp

 June Report, 2015

                         The month of June was an exciting one for Karama! Between the 12 day summer camp program filled with trips to exciting places and activities and fun at our own center in Deheishe camp, the children of Karama both had fun and also learned about the past of Palestine.

This year, Karama decided that our summer program would revolve around the theme: "From the old generation to the new". With this theme, Karama organized for older people in the camp, often times grandmothers and grandfathers of Karama children, to come and speak with the kids and tell them stories of the rich lands that they and their families owned before the Ocupation. In addition to stories of the lost villages, the program also took the kids on trips to see the villages with their own eyes - or at least go as far as the occupation would allow them!

During this 12 day program, the children, accompanied by individuals of the older generation, took five trips all over the West Bank to see the lost villages with their own eyes and see firsthand the land that was once theirs. One such trip was to the very southern part of the West Bank, to a small old village called Ar Ramadeen. Here, everyone perched on a hilltop to look out over the breathtaking landscape of fields, gentle hills, and plain stretches as far as the eye could see. It was in this beautiful place that Abu Ibrahim and Saeeda Hajjar, two of the older generation story tellers, shared stories about the area; the names of the villages behind the fence, the owners of the land, how they used to work on the field and collect water. We also met some of the farmers living in the hills of Ramadeen and hear about problems they face in this area enclosed by the Separation Wall. After a stroll through the fields, we took the children to a nearby playground, had a BBQ and enjoyed the afternoon together with games.  This was just one of five wonderful trips that enlightened and emboldened the children in their identity in and knowledge of Palestine.

We at Karama believe that these trips to rarely visited parts of Palestine were of vital importance to building the understanding that the children have of where they come from, who they once were, and who they are today.

In addition to these thrilling expeditions, the children of Karama also enjoyed countless activities and games inside Deheishe camp at the KaramaCenter during the month of June. On one of these Center days, the children created beautiful designs that they would draw on large Styrofoam boards and then decorate with glittering sequins. From Palestinian flags and doves to hills and trees, the boards made for the perfect group activity that utilized the imagination of all of the children. All groups would present their work in front of each other while Karama staff praised the creativity and collaboration of the teams.    

As the month of June and all its fun came to an end, we prepared for the holy month of Ramadan! Karama stayed open during Ramadan to be a consistent source of fun and learning for the children. Then with the end of Ramadan, we as an organization took a brief break from Karama to celebrate the three days of Eid--a fun time for visiting family and breaking the month long fast! Looking forward, Karama will continue to be open during the month of August, which is the last month of their summer break. Summer camps will continue to run, with preparations for Karama's exchange camp with Khirbet Zakaria in full force!

Thank you for all your support! You have been a vital source of assistance for the Karama center, the twelve day summer program, and continued fun and learning for the children of Deheishe Refugee Camp.

Links:

• Photo Album of Summer Camp