A Safe Place for Kids in Deheishe Refugee Camp

This project report updates our donors about the developments in the Karama center in Deheishe and specifically the activities for the children we create here. Karama is very thankful for all the support you give and because of that like to keep you informed about the projects that reach the most disadvantaged children of Palestinian society. 

Dear Karama Supporter, 

In April Karama was able to organize its first trip of the season! To offer the children some respite during the 6-day-long school weeks they currently have, Karama organized an excursion to a swimming resort for frequent visitors of our center. As you remember the strike left the children for 2 months without education, so the schools are open extra days to make up for some of this. But no child can learn well if there is no chance for recreation and enjoyment, so it was about time for a little fun! With unfortunately only limited space available, finally 30 kids got in the bus packed with lunch and swimming suits. A full day of swimming, playing and relaxing followed!

This rare opportunity to play in the water was fully enjoyed by all the participants and everybody arrived back in Deheishe tired but satisfied. It is great to offer the children such a moment of enjoyment in one of the very few playgrounds Palestine knows. Not in the least place because of the limited water, swimming pools are a rare commodity in our community. While our neighbours in Nahalin have seen their natural spring taken over by settlers who now use it as a recreational area, Karama needed to travel a resort a few villages into the West Bank to find a swimming opportunity. Israel remains in control of all water related infrastructure and Palestinians are struggling to gather enough water. On average, Palestinians have less than 73 litres per person/day available, which is way under the WHO guideline of 100 l/c/d for a healthy life! In the summer months this average is even lower, while the neighbouring Jewish settlements consume between 270 up to 360 l/c/d.

After this first taste of summer Karama is gearing up for the summer camps to be organized in July and August. Last year was the first time we organized a camp together with the residents of Khirbet Zakaria and the contacts have remained warm ever since. That is why it is our goal to invite again a group of children from both Deheishe and Khirbet Zakaria to meet up, play and learn together. As you maybe remember from a previous newsletter, Khirbet Zakaria is a small village surrounded by Jewish settlements that isolate the village from its agricultural land, educational opportunities and most importantly from the rest of Palestinian society. A summer camp that brings together both groups will offer not only much needed enjoyment for all, but also a rare chance to get to know other Palestinians and connect again.

To enforce our efforts to prepare for the 2014 summer camps, we have created a new micro project! That page will raise funds specifically for the summer camps and you are very welcome to share it in your community. In the meantime Karama will continue to update you on the workshops and activities in our center and we look forward to your feedback!

 Enjoy the pictures of our excursion and we hope you will look forward to our next update!