Projects    

Brotherhood Summer Camp Summary | Full Description OPT Book Distribution Summary | Full Description Kan Yama Kan ("Mobile Library") Summary | Full Description

Educator Exchange Summary | Full Description Children's Festivals Summary | Full Description International Youth Exchange Summary | Full Description

The Brotherhood Summer Camp takes place annually in order to bring together Palestinian children from throughout Israel and (whenever possible) the OPT to come together to learn about one another and themselves. The participants engage in activities which enrich their understanding of the Palestinian history, geography and culture, while strengthening the bonds of friendship and an appreciation for their heritage. While exchange visits between participants from different regions highlight the diversity within Palestinian society, Palestinian folk songs, dances and other activities celebrate the underlying unity.

Participation is open to all Palestinian youths from ages -- to --. At present, the participation of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been limited due to security issues; however, ACFA hopes that the situation will improve soon in order to allow all Palestinian youths to benefit from the Brotherhood Summer Camp.

Return to Top | Full Description

Due to the harsh conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Palestinian children have a severe lack of learning materials and education facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Over 60% of Palestinian children in the Occupied Territories live below the poverty line. In an attempt to alleviate the situation, ACFA has provided approximately 10,000 copies of its publications annually since 1989, to the chilren's centers, libraries and kindergartens of the Occupied Territories. Local organizations cooperated greatly with ACFA to accomplish the wide distribution of ACFA materials.

Return to Top | Full Description

The Mobile Library is targeted at children between the ages of 3-12 who reside in rural areas mainly. Only 50% of these villages now contain something called a library, and most of these are woefully inadequate and targeted towards an adult reading level. The Mobile Library is the first of its kind and is providing for the first time a reliable means for these children to obtain numerous, high-quality books and periodicals. Reading skills are cultivated, resulting in better performances in school. Children will also developing an increased appreciation for Arabic literature and culture in general.

Return to Top | Full Description

The long-term goal of this project is the development and strengthening of Palestinian identity and education among Palestinian youth, children and educators in Palestine and Israel. This long-term goal achieved through the short-term goal of facilitating and organizing exchange visits and the distribution of children's publications to tens of social and educational centers in the Gaza Strip and West Band, which serve thousands of children and youths.

We promoted the creative use of literature and art in education. We addressed mothers in a workshop on the use of art and literature in the classroom. Finally, we addressed both governmental and non-governmental children's organizations during a workshop in Khan Younis and Gaza and Nablus on the role of literature and art in promoting the well-being of children.

Return to Top | Full Description

Through folk dances, singing, painting and poems, the children are given an opportunity to express themselves through the many festivals held by ACFA.

Return to Top | Full Description

ACFA, in cooperation with the Commercy Municipality organized a 16-day exchange for 46 youths to encourage cross-cultural exchange and cooperation. In July of 2000/2001, 23 palestinian youths from Israel traveled to Commecy. The project was a great success. French and Palestinian participant youths were paired by organizers according to their age, interests, hobbies and language abilities. Throughout duration of the stay, different activities were planned to expose the youths to each others cultures and traditions such as traditional folk dances and music. Language games were also devised to encourage participants to gain familiarity in each other's languages. Different traditional meals were also prepared by each group to enable the children to experience traditional French and Palestinian food.

Over the course of their two weeks together the youths had the opportunity to learn about each other's cultures and languages. In the process they became friends and the Palestinian guests look forward to hosting their French friends. It is hoped that this project will be expanded into an annual exchange so that more Palestinian and European youths can enjoy the benefits of cross-cultural exchange and friendship.

Return to Top | Full Description