AMOS PALESTINE — EMMA BLAKE MORSI
Again with the unwelcomed blaring of my alarm, I awoke at 6:45am completely in disbelief that it was already time to get up.
Throughout the journey there's a real emphasis on the scarcity of available water in Palestinian cities, camps and communities, and especially as we were heading to Arroub camp today it was made all the more clearer to us by Sami Awad from Holy Land Trust.
Sami explained the importance of Holy Land Trust's work in using creative non-resistant approaches as a weapon of influence within the local communities and internationally, "What gives me hope is seeing the growing hopelessness," that despite all the suffering, despite the occupation, what breaks him more and motivates the incredibly important work they do is seeing those around him begin to resign under such hardship. It truly gave context to the day ahead and the privilege of having our last shower of the week wasn't lost on us...
Much of Amos Trust's work is building these close partnerships with local organisations like Holy Land Trust and getting involved with their ongoing projects aiming for a just peace for all Palestinians and Israelis. This isn't to be taken likely because, as Sami Awad put it, "As a result of the trauma from their own history, much of the Israeli leadership is led from fear, and when people lead in fear their own security is what solely matters".
After the introductions to Holy Land Trust we soon made our way to meet our host families in Arroub camp.
What hit me especially hard is the incredible welcoming, loving and embracing hospitality shown to us in juxtaposition to hearing the atrocities and stories our Palestinian friends would share with us about their occupation. Despite their own ongoing struggles they have opened their homes, lives and families to us; I found myself struggling to comprehend such evil and injustice done to innocent people who just want their freedom, their lives and homes back. It often reminds me of the cultural warmth I feel from my own African background where there's never a closed door on friends and families, but always food and drinks to be shared on someone's arrival...
It didn’t take long to for us to be immersed within the camp. Soon after lunch we were taken to a local home Amos Trust had helped rebuild the previous year. In 2014, 493 buildings in the West Bank were demolished by the Civil Administration of the Israeli Defence Force, leaving 969 Palestinians without a home (UNOCHA). Incredibly concerned, Amos Trust approached the camp offering to help assist in the build of a new home. The community expressed a deep concern that their help went to Yacoub’s family in the aim of rebuilding their home, rebuilding their hope.
Check out how the rebuild went down here.
We were then taken around the local community centres in the refugee camps, which included their ‘Youth Centre’, ‘Woman’s Centre’ and ‘Handicap Centre’. It dawned on me that, despite knowing the refugee camp was set up mid-20th Century and now full of settlements and buildings, not the temporary structure of tents, I hadn’t expected the progressive level for there to be a centre dedicated to both women and disabilities. In this way it truly reinforced how many ways I was going to have my eye opened throughout this journey...
Dinner was spent with our host families, who embraced us with such incredible warmth. When thrown into situations where language barriers are very real, it’s not often that it doesn’t linger over you like a dark cloud. But with our host families, we soon found ways to communicate and bond beyond language.
With our miniscule Arabic and their modest English we all gathered round the table; Arabic mint tea and playing cards in hand whilst teaching each other different games. From snap to the Arabic version of rummy, the hours flew by and it was almost too easy to forget I was across the world sharing the yummiest Arabic mint tea with the most loving refugees who were undergoing severe occupation. Almost.
Tomorrow we will be hanging out in the Women's Centre getting to know the women in the community through music and conversation, but something tells me there will be a few eye-opening moments and surprises along the way. But for now, it's definitely time for bed. Zzzzzzz
Emma x
EDITOR'S OBSESSION
MUSIC FOR CHANGE: AMOS PALESTINE
WORKING WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE ACTIVISTS, EMMA TRAVELLED TO PALESTINE ALONGSIDE AMOS TRUST AND SAFFRON RECORDS IN AUGUST AS PART OF HER 12 MONTHS 12 ADVENTURES. PARTNERED WITH ALREADY EXISTING PALESTINIAN ORGANISATIONS WORKING ON GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY PROJECTS, EMMA SHARES HOW ONE OF THE DAYS WENT DOWN AND WHY SHE IS RAISING £500 FOR THE AMOS TRUST CHARITY
by EMMA BLAKE MORSI
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