Two hundred
thirty children excitedly clamor around a dozen adults in anticipation
of their third day of summer camp in the Palestinian village of
Deir Ibziya. Their numbers had grown from one hundred fifty on
the first day, which was already straining the capacity of the
house and materials. The summer day camp was the vision of Deeb,
a Palestinian man who had left his home in Deir Ibziya at the
age of 19 to be educated in Germany. He returned to Palestine
during the optimistic atmosphere surrounding the Oslo Accords
in 1993. Two years ago Deeb and his family decided to move to
Deir Ibziya, then only a seven minute drive from the city of Ramallah.
Soon after their move the Israeli Occupation Forces installed
a military checkpoint on the road between the village and the
city making transportation difficult and often impossible. Later
the military rendered the road completely impassable cutting off
Deir Ibziya and 31 other Palestinian villages from the central
West Bank.
At the
summer camp children learn environmental science, English, art,
drama and sports. In the environmental science class children
are focusing on water and its ecological as well as political
significance. Teaching English is woven into all of the camps
activities and Leila, Deeb's 17 year old daughter, is teaching
an additional English class.
The noisiest
room in the house is where the art classes are taught. Children
exuberantly express themselves with crayons, markers and clay.
At the same time the English instruction continues and children
enjoy learning the words for the colors and images they create.
These images range from flowers and butterflies to Palestinian
flags and apache helicopters as well as Israeli soldiers shooting
Palestinian villagers. In the back yard girls, Muslim and Christian,
compete with the noise of the art class as they enjoy an enthusiastic
made up game of football.
The International
Solidarity Movement team that has been working with the camp is
leaving on Friday, July 5th. The camp will continue fro another
two weeks. Internationals are desperately needed to replace them.
The camp is already understaffed and Deeb is concerned about interference
from the Israeli military once the internationals leave.
This
truly creative form of nonviolent resistance is a powerful message
and help, financial and physical, is needed to keep it flourishing.
For
more information in Deir Ibziya contact:
Mary
Erwin 972 (0) 56 367 294
For
more information on The International Solidarity Movement contact:
Huwaida
Arraf 972 (0) 67 473 308
