Palestinian Child Arts Center-PCAC-PALESTINE

Les enfants de Gaza

2008-06-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

Les enfants de Gaza
Par Saleh al Naami
Khamis Wafi, 10 ans, a une bonne raison d'être heureux : c'est la première fois qu'il ne sursaute pas au bruit d'un ballon qui éclate. Cette "prouesse" est le résultat du traitement supervisé par Ali Nasman, un psychiatre qui s'occupe de douzaines d'enfants palestiniens de la Bande de Gaza, en particulier dans les régions du nord, traumatisés par le fracas des explosions des opérations israéliennes qui ciblent la Bande de Gaza, en particulier pendant l'Opération Eté Chaud qui a commencé à la fin février.
L'idée de base du traitement est d'habituer les enfants aux bruits des explosions, de manière à en réduire les effets psychologiques. Ce processus a eu des résultats positifs sur quelques enfants, alors que d'autres continuent d'être terriblement effrayés lorsqu'ils entendent un ballon exploser.

La situation est tellement commune qu'investir dans le traitement des chocs psychologiques subis par les enfants en conséquence des opérations de bombardement se justifie pleinement. Ibrahim Hawash, 42 ans, appelle fréquemment sa femme pendant ses gardes nocturnes pour s'assurer qu'elle suit le traitement prescrit pour l'énurésie de leurs enfants.

Le docteur de la famille a confirmé que les quatre enfants, qui sont à l'école primaire, ont perdu leur capacité de contrôle de leurs vessies à la suite du choc qu'ils ont subi lorsque les Jets de l'armée israélienne ont bombardé une maison près de la leur, dans le camp de réfugié de Jabalya, au nord de la Bande de Gaza, pendant la campagne militaire Eté Chaud.

Les quatre enfants se souviennent toujours de la nuit terrifiante, lorsqu'ils ont soudain été réveillés par le bruit assourdissant de l'explosion et se sont rendus compte que les vitres de leurs fenêtres avaient atterri sur leurs lits.

Ibrahim, qui travaille dans un service palestinien de sécurité, a dit que ses enfants, terrorisés, refusaient de dormir seuls et insistaient pour dormir dans la même chambre que leurs parents.

Il a ajouté qu'il a mis du temps à persuader deux de ses enfants de repartir à l'école, tellement ils avaient peur que les opérations israéliennes de bombardement aient lieu sur le chemin de l'école, ou pendant qu'ils étaient en classe. Des milliers d'enfants palestiniens ont fait l'expérience de ce que vivent les quatre enfants Hawash.

Le Docteur Aish Samour, directeur de l'Hôpital Psychiatrique de Gaza, a déclaré que 30% des enfants palestiniens de moins de 10 ans souffraient d'énurésie à cause de frayeurs profondément enracinées et il mentionne d'autres tics nerveux tels les ongles rongés, les cauchemars, des douleurs physiques aux causes inconnues, les pleurs et l'introversion.

Il explique : "Un enfant exposé à une telle violence devient violent dans ses relations avec ses collèges ou ses frères et sœurs. Cet état diminue son niveau éducatif et affaiblit sa capacité à se concentrer". Il souligne que les enfants palestiniens qui ont traversé ces terribles expériences pendant les invasions et les bombardements obéissent moins à leurs parents et à leurs familles.

Samour a établi que depuis le début de cette année, le pourcentage d'enfants qui viennent fréquemment à l'hôpital a augmenté. L'hôpital reçoit actuellement 33 enfants par mois, ce qui représente une augmentation de 30% par rapport à l'année dernière.

Samour souligne que 47% des enfants ont subi de chocs psychologiques sans que leurs familles s'en rendent compte. "Les enfants de Gaza ne mènent pas des vies normales. Ils subissent des souffrances psychologiques dues aux actions de l'occupation israélienne, qui ont des impacts négatifs sur leurs vies, leur santé psychologique et leur capacité d'adaptation à la vie", dit-il.

Selon une étude conduite par le Programme de Santé Mentale Communautaire de Gaza, chaque enfant palestinien a été exposé à plus de neuf événements traumatisants. L'étude ajoute que 95,6% des enfants ont vu des blessés ou des morts, et 95% ont été affectés par les bruits des explosions.

L'étude indique de plus que tous les enfants ont été exposés à des chocs psychologiques, 60% des enfants ont expérimenté un choc psychologique modéré, 6,7% un choc psychologique mineur, alors 33,3% ont expérimenté un choc psychologique majeur.

L'étude indique que 15,6% souffrent de troubles post-traumatiques mineurs, 62,2% de troubles post-traumatiques modérés, alors que pour 20%, les troubles sont sévères.

Le Docteur Eyad Al-Sarraj, directeur du Programme de Santé Mentale Communautaire de Gaza, a constaté que les enfants palestiniens ont perdu le sens de la sécurité et du bonheur. Selon une étude conduite par ce programme, 45% des enfants disent qu'ils ont vu les soldats israéliens battre et insulter leurs parents, devant eux.
"Le fait que les enfants palestiniens se réfugient dans des organisations palestiniennes reflètent leur désir d'acquérir une identité nouvelle et forte qui pourra les protéger", ajoute Al-Sarraj.

Al-Sarraj a souligné que l'état chronique de malnutrition qui affecte leurs capacités intellectuelles complique encore la situation. Il ajoute que l'accumulation de répression et de violence affecte les capacités mentales et créatives des enfants palestiniens et les pousse à avoir recours à des actes extrêmes qui sont le reflet de la douleur et de la frustration qu'ils ressentent.

Al-Sarraj a indiqué qu'environ 36% des garçons entre 8 et 12 ans, et 17% des filles, souhaitent mourir dans des opérations martyres contre l'armée israélienne.

Selon une autre étude palestinienne, 15% des enfants de la Bande de Gaza ont subi, de l'armée israélienne, une perte dans leur famille, 9% ont un membre de leur famille qui souffre d'un handicap après avoir subi les tirs des forces de l'occupation, 21% ont un membre de leur famille en exil et 42% ont des membres de la famille détenus politiques.

Samih Abu-Zakieh, pédiatre et directeur du Centre d'Art des enfants palestiniens, souligne un autre danger qui menace tous les enfants, même s'ils ne sont pas directement exposés aux opérations israéliennes, à savoir les scènes douloureuses dont les enfants sont témoins via les différents moyens médiatiques, en particulier les chaînes satellitaires, qui ajoutent à la pression psychologique que les enfants subissent.
http://www.youtube.com/user/PCAC2008
Il estime que permettre aux enfants de regarder ces scènes est "une violation des droits des enfants". Abu Zakieh a mis en garde contre ces impacts très négatifs qui ne sont pas pris en compte, et dont les conséquences sont désastreuses. Il suggère la mise en œuvre de programmes destinés à alléger la pression que les enfants ont subie pendant les récents événements sanglants.

Pourtant la souffrance des enfants palestiniens ne s'arrête pas au niveau psychologique ; des douzaines d'enfants ont été tués pendant le premier quadrimestre de cette année. Selon un rapport du Département des relations nationales et internationales de l'Organisation de Libération de la Palestine (OLP), le nombre de Palestiniens tués par les opérations militaires israéliennes à l'intérieur des Territoires Palestiniens depuis le début de l'année est estimé à 274, dont 50 enfants (deux étaient des nouveaux-nés de 20 jours et 7 mois), et 18 femmes.

Selon les données du Bureau Central Palestinien des Statistiques, 50% de la population de Cisjordanie et de la Bande de Gaza a moins de 16 ans. Cela signifie que près de 2 millions d'enfants ont souffert, d'un point de vue psychologique, de la répression israélienne.

Le Docteur Fadl Abu Haien, professeur de psychologie à l'Université Al-Aqsa à Gaza, pense que les enfants palestiniens, en conséquence de la pression psychologique qu'ils endurent, ont recours à différents moyens pour s'adapter à la dure réalité, indiquant qu'un résultat commun est le calme en réaction à la tension, l'anxiété, la peur, l'isolement, l'introversion, qu'ils se mettent en retrait et prennent rarement part aux activités sociales et familiales.

Dans sa recherche scientifique, Abu Haien conclut que les enfants palestiniens ont recours, en réaction à la pression, à des comportements inappropriés par rapport à leur âge. Il ajoute que dans certains cas, la peur des opérations israéliennes et les problèmes psychologiques sont tels que leur conscience d'enfant est perturbée et se traduit par des problèmes de somnambulisme et de santé.

Le Docteur Tayseer Diyab, chercheur éminent dans le domaine de la santé mentale, a conduit, avec une équipe de psychiatres, une étude approfondie sur l'impact de la violence et le blocus israéliens sur les enfants palestiniens de Gaza. Diyab a déterminé qu'il y avait une augmentation substantielle de la violence parmi les enfants, dans et hors de l'école, des formations de gangs, des bagarres à coup de chaînes et de bâtons et l'utilisation d'un langage grossier.

Les résultats indiquent que les enfants deviennent plus insensibles et qu'ils perdent la notion du danger, comme par exemple lorsqu'ils se rassemblent dans les endroits où des bombardements ont eu lieu et qu'ils ramassent les restes des missiles.

Le Docteur Diyab raconte l'histoire d'un des enfants qu'il suit et qui lui a demandé : "Est-ce qu'il y a de l'électricité au ciel ?". Il a ajouté : "J'ai peur quand il n'y a pas d'électricité".

Les psychiatres qui ont pris part à l'étude ont demandé à 26 enfants d'imaginer le meilleur endroit qui soit, et les résultats ont montré qu'aucun d'entre eux ne pouvait penser à nulle part, tellement leur imagination est enfermée dans des lieux rattachés à la tristesse et à la souffrance, comme les cimetières ou les prisons.

De même pour l'exercice de dessin, on a demandé aux enfants d'illustrer une image de leurs maisons dans leur quartier, et la plupart d'entre eux ont dessiné une petite maison, ce qui dépeint la tristesse qui les submerge.

De plus, il faut aussi prendre en compte la souffrance psychologique des 300 enfants détenus dans les prisons israéliennes. Le Docteur Fouad Al-Khuffash, directeur du Centre Ahrar pour les études sur les prisonniers, dit : "Les services secrets israéliens placent chaque enfant palestinien détenu en isolement pendant une semaine, où une enquête est mené sur son implication dans les jets de pierre", ajoute-t-il. Il dit que les enquêteurs menacent les enfants de viol, et ils les accablent d'insultes.

Lors d'une déclaration à Asharq Al-Awsat, il ajoute : "Insulter un enfant tous les jours, le menacer d'arrêter son frère ou utiliser d'autres menaces immorales détruit l'âme et est un motif de suicide". Il souligne que les services secrets israéliens continuent d'inventer de nouvelles méthodes pour obliger les enfants emprisonnés à devenir des espions pour détruire le tissu social palestinien.

Al-Khuffash ajoute que le Shabak israélien dépend des enfants détenus pour l'implantation du plus grand nombre possible d'espions au sein du peuple palestinien. Le Shabak propose à tous les enfants détenus de rejoindre ses services, et les frappe et les menace de viol pour les convaincre de prendre le chemin de la trahison.

Source : Asharq alawsat
Traduction : MR pour ISM

The Children of Gaza

2008-06-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Children of Gaza

09/04/2008
By Saleh al Naeimi

Gaza, Asharq Al-Awsat- 10 year old Khamis Wafi has good reason to be happy; it is the first time he has not jumped at the sound of a balloon bursting. This “achievement” was the result of treatment supervised by Ali Nasman, a psychiatrist who is caring for dozens of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, specifically in the northern regions, for the shocks that they have suffered as a result of the sounds of explosions launched during Israeli operations that targeted the Gaza Strip, in particular during Operation Hot Winter that began at the end of February.

The treatment process is based on the idea of accustoming children to the sounds of explosions in order to reduce their psychological effect. There have been positive results amongst some children whereas others are terribly frightened when they hear a balloon bursting.

Investing in the treatment of children for psychological shocks that they have suffered as a result of shelling operations is truly justified since the condition is so common. Ibrahim Hawash, 42 years old, frequently calls his wife during his nightshift at work to make sure that she follows the prescribed treatment for their children’s involuntary urination condition. The family doctor confirmed that the four children, who are in primary school, have lost the ability to control their bladders as a result of the shock they suffered when Israeli army jets bombed a house close to their home in Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip during the Hot Winter military campaign.

The four children still remember this terrifying night when they suddenly woke up to the deafening sound of an explosion and found that glass from their windows had landed on their beds. Ibrahim, who works at a Palestinian security agency, said that his children refuse to sleep alone and insist on sleeping in the same bedroom as their parents out of fear. He added that it took a lot of effort to persuade two of his children to go back to school as they are afraid of Israeli bombing operations taking place on their way to school or whilst at school. Thousands of Palestinian children have experienced what Hawash’s four children are going through.

Dr. Aish Samour, director of the Psychiatric Hospital in Gaza, stated that 30% of Palestinian children under 10 years of age suffer from involuntary urination due to deep-seated fear and mentions other nervous habits such as nail-biting, having nightmares, physical pains of unknown cause, crying and introversion.

Dr Samour explained that “A child exposed to this much violence becomes violent in his interaction with colleagues and siblings. This condition lowers his educational level and weakens his ability to concentrate.” He pointed out that Palestinian children who go through shocking experiences during invasions and bombings become less obedient to their parents and families.

Samour stated that since the beginning of this year, the percentage of children who frequently visit the hospital has increased. The hospital currently receives 33 children a month that is a 30% increase over the previous year. Samour highlighted that 47% of children have suffered psychological shocks without their families realizing it. “The children of Gaza are not children who lead normal lives. They endure difficult psychological suffering as a result of the Israeli occupation’s actions, which has a negative impact on their lives, their psychological health and their ability to adapt to life,” he said.

According to a study conducted by the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, every Palestinian child has been exposed to over nine shocking events. The study added that 95.6% of children have seen images of the wounded and dead, and 95% have been affected by the sounds of explosions. The study further indicated that all children have been exposed to some kind of psychological shock whereby 60% of children have experienced moderate psychological shock, 6.7% have experienced minor psychological shock, while 33.3% have experienced major psychological shock. The study indicated that 15.6% suffer from minor post-traumatic disorder, 62.2% suffer moderately, while 20% suffer severely.

Dr. Eyad Al Sarraj, director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, stated that Palestinian children have lost the sense of security and the sense of happiness. According to a study conducted by the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, 45% of children said that they had watched Israeli soldiers beat and insult their fathers in front of them. “The fact that Palestinian children take refuge in Palestinian organizations reflects their desire to gain a new strong identity that can protect them,” Al Sarraj added.

Al Sarraj pointed out that matters are further complicated by the fact that Palestinian children are suffering from a chronic state of malnutrition that affects their intellect. He added that the accumulation of repression and violence affects the mental and creative abilities of Palestinian children and pushes them to resort to acts of extremism that reflect the pain and frustration that they feel. Al Sarraj indicated that approximately 36% of boys aged between eight and 12, and 17% of girls, hope to die in martyrdom operations against the Israeli army.

According to another Palestinian study, 15% of children in the Gaza Strip have suffered a loss in the family at the hands of the Israeli army, 9% have one family member who suffers from a disability after having been shot by the occupation forces, 21% have a family member in exile and 42% have family members who are political detainees.

Samih Abu Zakieh, a children’s specialist and the director of (PCAC)a center concerned with Palestinian children’s art, highlighted another danger that threatens all children even if they are not exposed directly to Israeli operations, namely, the painful scenes witnessed by children via the different forms of media especially satellite channels, which add to the psychological pressure that children are experiencing. He believes that allowing children to watch these scenes is a “violation of children’s rights”. Abu Zakya warned against such negative impacts going untreated, the consequences of which can be disastrous. At the same time, he called upon implementing programs that aim to alleviate the pressure that children have experienced during the recent bloody events.

Yet the suffering of Palestinian children does not stop at the psychological level; dozens of children have been killed during the first quarter of this year. According to a report by the department of national and international relations in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), the number of Palestinians killed as a result of Israeli military operations within the Palestinian Territories since the beginning of this year is estimated at 274, including 50 children, two of whom were newborns (20 days old and seven months old) and 18 women. According to data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 50% of the population of the West Bank and Gaza Strip are under 16 years of age. This means that nearly two million children have psychologically suffered as a result of Israeli repression.

Dr. Fadl Abu Haien, a psychology professor at Al Aqsa University in Gaza, believes that Palestinian children, as a result of the psychological pressure that they endure, resort to different ways to adapt to this harsh reality, indicating that one common result is quietness in reaction to tension, anxiety, fear, isolation, introversion and that they withdraw and seldom take part in social and family activities.

As part of his scientific research, Abu Haien concluded that Palestinian children resort to behavior that is inappropriate to their age as a result of pressure. He added that in some cases, as a result of fear of Israeli operations and difficult psychological problems, the child’s consciousness is disrupted and can appear in the form of sleepwalking and health-related problems.

Dr. Tayseer Diyab, a prominent researcher in the field of mental health, conducted an in-depth study with a team of psychiatrists on the impact of Israeli violence and blockade on Palestinian children in Gaza. Diyab found that there was a substantial increase in violence amongst children, in and outside of school, by forming gangs and fighting using chains and sticks and using abusive language. The results indicated that children had become more insensitive and that they lacked a sense of danger as, for example, they would gather around places where shelling had occurred and would pick up remains of rockets.

Dr. Diyab recounted a story of one of the children under observation who asked him, “Does heaven have electricity?” He added, “I get scared when there is no electricity.”

The psychiatrists who took part in the study asked 26 pupils to imagine the best place that they could and the results showed that none of the children could think of anywhere since their imaginations were confined to places related to sadness and suffering such as cemeteries or prisons. As for the drawing exercise, children were asked to illustrate an image of the homes in their district and most of them drew one small house and this portrays the sadness that overwhelms them.

Furthermore, the psychological suffering of 300 children detained in Israeli prisons must also be taken into consideration. Dr. Fouad Al Khuffash, the Director of the Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies said, “The Israeli intelligence agency places every detained Palestinian child in a cell alone for a week where an investigation is carried out regarding his involvement in stone throwing,” he added. He said that investigators threatened children with rape and would hurl abusive language at them.

In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added, “Reprimanding a child everyday, threatening to arrest his brother or using other immoral threats destroys one’s soul and is a motive to commit suicide.” He pointed out that the Israeli intelligence agencies are continuing to create new methods to force detained children to become spies in order to destroy the Palestinian social fabric. Al Khuffash added that the [Israeli] Shabak security service depends on detained children in order to plant the biggest number of spies amongst Palestinian people. All detained children are invited to join Shabak and they are beaten and threatened with rape to convince them to go down the road of treason.

peace for children

2008-03-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

peace for children
palestinian musical artistic group of children ,its purpose to reenter the spirit of justice , freedom and dignity for all the children besides working for peace to palestinian children.

This group is related to PCAC, and it was established in 2000. It includes a group of girls and a group of boys which work to put a smile upon the children faces.
The children felt that its very important to establish this group especially after the great suffering they go through in Palestine, the group aims at spreading awareness ,friendship ,dignity, freedom, equality, hope and respect among children through art.
Art is the main instrument used in our activities. Our deep faith in peace begins with peace for children and ensures the immediate need for humanity to all the children in order to live a peaceful and free life.
The international convention for the right of the children ensures a peaceful and secure life to all children…..
Al salaam children group says loudly…….
Let us live peacefully
Let us live freely
Let us live with dignity
International and local participation of activities
2000 : the group participated in the international festival in north Norway (in harstad city) and appreciated by presents.
2001-2003: Participated in many shows in PCAC ,schools and in establishments.
2003: participated in the ceremony festival shows.
2004 the group prepares to take part in different national and international. Festivals, shows ,besides performing many activities during the ceremony of the 10th anniversary of PCAC.
more information:
http://www.pcac.net

2008-03-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Palestinian Children’s Art Centre PCAC
Towards A Creative Palestinian Child
The P.C.A.C is a non-profit non-governmental institution that was established in 1994. It directs its activities and programs towards the development of the Palestinian child’s intellectuality. In addition, it reinforces the positive role of the Palestinian child in the process of building and progressing the Palestinian society.
History
The bloody and violent actions over the past decades in Palestine have affected the Palestinian children; their behaviour, and their natural life. After the February 1994 massacre at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron -- which was committed by a Jewish settler and led to the killing of 36 Palestinians -- the children of Hebron were shocked and their behaviour has been dramatically changed.
Objectives
Help children regain their natural life, psychological wellness, and explore the creative and talented children in all fields in order to achieve the P.C.A.C slogan “Towards A Creative Palestinian Child”.
Reinforce the Palestinian culture among children to assist in their progress on the psychological, social, and human aspects, in order to strengthen their role in building the future of the Palestinian society.

Activities
Children educational programmes
Yearly children’s meeting “Amal Alghad" Hope of Tomorrow: Children between 6-8 years Art and music workshops
Library
Public Education
Lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops, and exhibits on various child-related issues.
Research on children’s rights violations and drafting of updates and releases
Networking with Arab or international organisations
Future Projects
Enlarging the library of the centre that includes different books and stories for children.
Improving the music department to include more music tools. In addition, there is a plan to renew the available music tools.
Connecting the centre with the Internet.
Exchange programs of children with other countries.

Data of Organisation
Contac Person : Samih Abu zakieh
Director
Mobile:0599884858
Address : P.O.Box 616 – Hebrone, PALESTINE
Tel. : 00972-2-2224813
pcac2006@yahoo.ca
http://www.pcac.net
http://www.youtube.com/pcac2008

Aggressioni israeliane: rapporto del PCAC sugli effetti psicologici nei bambini palestinesi.

2008-03-14T05:28:00.001-07:00

Aggressioni israeliane: rapporto del PCAC sugli effetti psicologici nei bambini palestinesi.
12-03-2008
Da IMEMC
Di Saed Bannoura, 6 marzo.

Il Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) ha pubblicato un rapporto sugli effetti dei continui attacchi israeliani, specialmente le ultime offensive lanciate contro la Striscia di Gaza, che hanno provocato 131 morti e 350 feriti, sulla situazione psicologica dei bambini.
Il rapporto ha mostrato che l’evidente ansietà e il terrore sono stati osservati sui bambini durante le invasioni militari israeliane, le sparatorie e i bombardamenti.
Alcuni chiari indizi di questi effetti sono evidenti nei disegni dei bambini poiché tutti loro ritraggono scene di violenza, carri armati, soldati, aerei da guerra e bulldozer che sradicano alberi, oltre a disegni che raffigurano funerali o persone uccise dall’esercito.
Il Centro spiega che i bambini non disegnano più scene che rappresentano la natura o che esprimono felicità, e ha aggiunto che l’arte è uno dei mezzi più efficaci che aiutano i bambini a comunicare ciٍ che hanno dentro di sé.
Samih Abu Zakieh, direttore del PCAC, specialista in Sviluppo del Bambino e attivista per la difesa dei diritti dell'Infanzia, ha dichiarato che “le scene dolorose che i bambini vedono alla tv o gli eventi di cui sono testimoni, li colpiscono negativamente”, e ha aggiunto che questi avvenimenti sono una diretta violazione dei diritti dell'infanzia.
Ha sottolineato inoltre che il tema della protezione dei bambini è una questione essenziale al fine di permettere loro di crescere in un ambiente sano e allo stesso tempo di provvedere ai loro bisogni.

Abu Zakieh ha detto che si rendono necessari una serie di programmi per educare i bambini e garantire loro un ambiente lontano da ansie e paure in modo da permettere loro di mantenere una vita normale.Abu Zakieh ha dichiarato, inoltre, che devono essere realizzati diversi programmi sanitari, educativi, medici e sociali in modo da alleggerire la pressione a cui i minori sono soggetti.
© Copyright Agenzia Stampa Infopal.itSede legale dell'Associazione Infopal e dell'Agenzia Stampa Infopal.itvia Bolzaneto 19/2 - 16162 Genova E-mail: http://ca.f509.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=redazione@infopal.it

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children

2008-03-14T05:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/PCAC2008

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children
Thursday March 06, 2008 21:19 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC
The Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) published a report on the effects on the ongoing Israeli attacks, especially the latest offensive against the Gaza Strip, on the physiological situation of the children.

The report revealed that clear anxiety and fear was noticed on the children as the face Israeli military invasions, shooting and shelling.
Some of the clear indications of these effects were apparent in the drawings of the children as they all drew scenes of violence, tanks, soldiers, war jets, and bulldozers uprooting trees in addition to drawings representing funerals of residents killed by the army.
The center stated that the children are no longer drawing scenes from nature or scenes that express happiness, and added that art is one of the effective ways that helps the children to express what they face.
Sameeh Abu Zakia, head of the center, a specialist in Child development and an activist defending the rights of children, stated that the “painful scenes that the children see on TV or the events that they witness are negatively affecting them”, and added that these incidents are a direct violation to the rights of the children.
He added that the issue of protecting the children is an essential issue in order to enable them grow in a healthy environment while providing them with their needs in order to maintain a healthy life.
Abu Zakia said that a series of programs is needed to nurture the children and provide them with the needed environment far away from anxiety and fear in order to allow them to maintain a normal life.
Abu Zakia also stated that several health, educational, physiological and social programs should be implemented in order to relief the pressure that the children are subjected to.
palestine human rights news report saed at imemc dot org
Related Link(s): http://www.pcac.net/

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children*

2008-03-14T05:05:00.001-07:00

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children* <">http://www.imemc.org/article/53123.html> Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 2/28/2008 The Palestinian Child Arts Center issued an urgent press release appealing international human rights groups and organizations specialized in the rights of children to intervene and protect the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip as they face a real humanitarian disaster. The Center called for immediate protection for the residents in the Gaza Strip, especially the children "as they are being killed and injured while all want they want is to live as they love life and want to live as any child in this world does". The statement of the center came after the Israeli army killed 27 residents, including several children, in less than 48 hours. On Thursday afternoon four Palestinian children were killed and one was critically injured when Israeli jet fighters shot several missiles at civilians in Jabalia town, located in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon. -- See also: Palestinian Child Arts Center <">http://www.pcac.net/Main.htm> and Palestinian Child Arts Center, old site <">http://www.pcac.net/old/>

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children

2008-03-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children
Written by IMEMC (Partenaire IM-L)
Friday, 29 February 2008
Saed Bannoura

The Palestinian Child Arts Center issued an urgent press release appealing international human rights groups and organizations specialized in the rights of children to intervene and protect the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip as they face a real humanitarian disaster.

The Center stated that what is happening in Gaza is a grave violation to the rights of the children and to all Children Rights Conventions. The Center called for immediate protection for the residents in the Gaza Strip, especially the children “as they are being killed and injured while all want they want is to live as they love life and want to live as any child in this world does”.

The statement of the center came after the Israeli army killed 27 residents, including several children, in less than 48 hours. On Thursday afternoon four Palestinian children were killed and one was critically injured when Israeli jet fighters shot several missiles at civilians in Jabalia town, located in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon. Medical sources identified the four as, Mohamed Hamudah, 7, Ali Dardonah, 8, Omer Dardonah, 14, and

please act now to prevent more palestinian children from dying or getting injured‏‏

2008-03-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends
We Write to you on behalf of palestinian children living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Things are happening around us . Events are happening around us too fast . Relatives and friends are falling everyday . sometimes we do not realize what is going on . but what we know is that nothing is like before . We are too afraid to go school and even if we go we have to come back home early . which is certainly going to effect the educational process . We are afraid from a lot of things .Our friends suffer from lack of food and medical care .
And there are others who have no social life , which is the right of any child to have .
So many questions come to the mind of every child homeland .Why is this happening to us What did we do wrong? Is it because our people are defending themselves ?Unfortunately we ask ourselves but no answers come to mind .
We are like children in other countries . We want to study and play and plan for our future But the Israeli occupation and the daily attacks are killing any hopes we have for the future . We do not want to live like this.
We ask the international community to offer protection for us and for our people we want a healthy normal childhood we hope that is not too much to ask .
Friends , please act now to prevent more palestinian children from dying or getting injured

Sincerely
Palestinian children living in the occupied territories
Contact Information: =============================================== Palestinian Child Arts Center-PCAC-
HEBRON-P.O.BOX.616 PALESTINE
http://www.pcac.net
Tel 00972-2-2224813
Fax 00972-2-2220855
DIRECTOR-00972-2-2217393
E-MAIL: pcac@hotmail.com
pcac2000@hotmail.com
pcac2006@yahoo.ca

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children

2008-03-08T06:24:00.000-08:00

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children
Thursday March 06, 2008 21:19 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC
The Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) published a report on the effects on the ongoing Israeli attacks, especially the latest offensive against the Gaza Strip, on the physiological situation of the children.
The report revealed that clear anxiety and fear was noticed on the children as the face Israeli military invasions, shooting and shelling.
Some of the clear indications of these effects were apparent in the drawings of the children as they all drew scenes of violence, tanks, soldiers, war jets, and bulldozers uprooting trees in addition to drawings representing funerals of residents killed by the army.
The center stated that the children are no longer drawing scenes from nature or scenes that express happiness, and added that art is one of the effective ways that helps the children to express what they face.
Sameeh Abu Zakia, head of the center, a specialist in Child development and an activist defending the rights of children, stated that the “painful scenes that the children see on TV or the events that they witness are negatively affecting them”, and added that these incidents are a direct violation to the rights of the children.
He added that the issue of protecting the children is an essential issue in order to enable them grow in a healthy environment while providing them with their needs in order to maintain a healthy life.
Abu Zakia said that a series of programs is needed to nurture the children and provide them with the needed environment far away from anxiety and fear in order to allow them to maintain a normal life.
Abu Zakia also stated that several health, educational, physiological and social programs should be implemented in order to relief the pressure that the children are subjected to.
palestine human rights news report saed at imemc dot org
Related Link(s): http://www.pcac.net

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children

2008-03-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children
Thursday February 28, 2008 23:43 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC
The Palestinian Child Arts Center issued an urgent press release appealing international human rights groups and organizations specialized in the rights of children to intervene and protect the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip as they face a real humanitarian disaster.
The Center stated that what is happening in Gaza is a grave violation to the rights of the children and to all Children Rights Conventions.
The Center called for immediate protection for the residents in the Gaza Strip, especially the children “as they are being killed and injured while all want they want is to live as they love life and want to live as any child in this world does”.
The statement of the center came after the Israeli army killed 27 residents, including several children, in less than 48 hours. On Thursday afternoon four Palestinian children were killed and one was critically injured when Israeli jet fighters shot several missiles at civilians in Jabalia town, located in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon. Medical sources identified the four as, Mohamed Hamudah, 7, Ali Dardonah, 8, Omer Dardonah, 14, and his brother Deib, 11.
palestine israeli attacks news report saed at imemc dot org

One Hundred Ways for Peace from Palestine

2008-02-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

One Hundred Ways for Peace from PalestineBy Samih Abu ZakiehLes éditions de la Pleine Lune, Quebec, Canada, 2007, 208 pages, $20The dove of peace - a worldwide symbol first made famous by Pablo Picasso - has passed into the capable hands of Samih Abu Zakieh, an artist and teacher who keeps hope alive in hell. Director of the Palestinian Child Arts Centre in Hebron for 15 years, Abu Zakieh is one of the rare community movers who meets the stringent standard for pacifism set out by Mahatma Gandhi: “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.”That is a tough sell on the ground in occupied Palestine, where Abu Zakieh was born and grew up, whipsawed by the deafening clamour of tanks and bulldozers which enclosed the street where he lived under curfew. He imploded and flew inside out on the wings of a dove, which he began drawing. Followed by another, and others, sometimes twos and threes. Doves swirling tapestries of local and universal reference. And for the children he worked with, the doves also became engines of empowerment.Now a tri-lingual book brings together Abu Zakieh’s drawings and his words: De Palestine, cent chemins pour la paix / One Hundred Ways for Peace from Palestine, published in Canada by Les éditions de la Pleine Lune. His commentary - presented in Arabic, French and English - grows out of long-time research into children’s reactions to war. Abu Zakieh is the author of numerous articles on the artistic expression of children in times of war. He regularly gives lectures on art, education and the rights of Palestinian children, at international conferences in Turkey, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Iraq, the United States, Jordan and Egypt.The tone is low key, whether matter-of-factly itemizing brutality under the occupation, or affirming the priority of self-restraint: “Just to control yourself when encountering violence in these most difficult conditions is a victory, but to spread a smile across the lips of the children who are our future-builders is an even greater victory.” Its engaging images and bracing discourse make this book a gem for any bookshelf, and an inspiring gift to give, and a breath of fresh air towards a self-fulfilling prophecy.(Courtesy of the publisher)

"Children in Palestine, dream of Peace& Freedom"

2008-02-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

"Children in Palestine, dream of Peace& Freedom"

When media talk about Palestine and the dramatically situation who lives the country always forget children, the daily life, their daily life under occupation… They are an ordinary kids, with ordinary dreams who just wants to live their childhood in a peaceful environment.
But, even in the worst situation, you'll find someone trying to draw a smile on the children's faces. Samih Abu Zakieh, a Palestinian artist, is a good example of this. His heart is full of love ready to help children, to support them. This passion, the same he uses for his paintings, helps children of Hebron to develop themselves in such a dramatic situation.

In 1994, after the Massacre of the Abraham Mosque in Hebron where 36 inhabitants were killed by a settler, Samih, with some of his colleagues, decided to do an artistic workshop. With this workshop they pretended to let children draw and play to relief the effect of the violent shock they had after the brutal massacre.
He would never imagine the effect of this tragedy in the children before see their drawings, which were just in two colors, red and black. The use of these colors was a clear sign of the massacre's effect on children. The black color expresses the sadness while red expresses the blood which filled the streets of that area, especially inside the great Islamic mosque.

From the suffering to the creativity

After this impacting experience Samih and his colleagues Fayez, Ayda, Diyab, Na'ila, Samia and many others were ready for the next step, establish a organization for children , where Art and Children were the priorities, trying to relief the impact . There, they could also play, dance, sing, smile, and learn. This was the first purpose of the PCAC, Palestinian Child Arts Centre.
Step by step, from the simple and humble work, PCAC has developed to an organization which organized their work to develop the children's skills and capabilities. Ceremonies, festivals, art workshops, art exhibitions are a good example of this change.
Child's Rights has a special importance in this center, during over past years they try to let know children and society everything about this convention, always through arts.

Future of PCAC

Its well knows this center all over Palestine but not only here has been recognized the work of Palestinian Child Arts Center. The center has achieved compliments from all over the world. As Samih says" we are poor, we don't have the money, but we have the thoughts and creativity ".

When they started working for the Arts Olympiad 2007, they faced many problems. The most important and struggle one was/is the economic crisis who is living the country and the impossibility to leave or move inside the country. "We are not able to leave the city whenever we want, but in fact we live as we're inside a cage. They open the doors for us whenever they desire". That situation doesn't help to the appropriate develop of the center programs and desires.
They can't and they don't forget the main aim of this center, children, even the situation seems impossible. The risk of murder, siege, eviction or home demolishing is there, and those children can just think about how to survive, not about fun activities.
The drawings of the Olympiad are full of suffering. When they were asked about the topic, Art & Sport, and about the relation of those topics with children, it was amazing their answers." Palestinian sport is in danger, we as children are not able even to play. Look at our drawings to see the tragedy we live in".

But there is a little ray of hope, even the political/economical situation is getting worst in the last days, PCAC and Samih will continue the work that started 12 years ago. Never give up, children are the future of Palestine, the political actors of tomorrow, and not just PCAC, all the society must works for them.

peace for the children of palestine

2007-04-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

peace for the children of palestine

'I can't imagine anyone who considers himself a human being can do this'

2006-11-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

'I can't imagine anyone who considers himself a human being can do this'On Friday a four-year-old Palestinian boy was shot dead by a soldier - the most recent child victim of the Israeli army. Chris McGreal investigates a shocking series of deaths Monday July 28, 2003The Guardian
Nine-year-old Abdul Rahman Jadallah's promise to the corpse of the shy little girl who lived up the street was, in all probability, kept for him by an Israeli bullet. The boy - Rahman to his family - barely knew Haneen Suliaman in life. But whenever there was a killing in the dense Palestinian towns of southern Gaza he would race to the morgue to join the throng around the mutilated victim. Then he would tag along with the surging, angry funerals of those felled by rarely seen soldiers hovering far above in helicopters or cocooned behind the thick concrete of their pillboxes. Haneen, who was eight years old, had been shot twice in the head by an Israeli soldier as she walked down the street in Khan Yunis refugee camp with her mother, Lila Abu Selmi.

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"Almost every day here the Israelis shoot at random, so when you hear it you get inside as quickly as possible," says Mrs Selmi. "Haneen went to the grocery store to buy some crisps. When the shooting started, I came out to find her. She was coming down the street and ran to me and hugged me, crying, 'Mother, mother'. Two bullets hit her in the head, one straight after the other. She was still in my arms and she died."
Later that day, the crowds pushed into the morgue at the local hospital to see the young girl on the slab, partly in homage, partly to vent their anger. Rahman pressed his way to the front so he could touch Haneen. Then he went home and told his mother, Haniya Abed Atallah, that he too wanted to die. "Rahman went to the morgue and kissed Haneen. He came home and told us he had promised the dead girl he would die too. I made him apologise to his father," Mrs Atallah says.
Weeks passed and another Israeli bullet shattered the life of another young Palestinian girl. Huda Darwish was sitting at her school desk when a cluster of shots ripped through the top of a tree outside her classroom and buried themselves in the wall. But one ricocheted off the window frame, smashed through the glass and lodged in the 12-year-old girl's brain. Huda's teacher, Said Sinwar, was standing in front of the blackboard. "It was a normal lesson when suddenly there was this shooting without any warning. The children were terrified and trying to run. I was shouting at them to get under their desks. Suddenly the bullet hit the little girl and she slumped to the floor with a sigh, not even screaming," he says.
Sinwar dragged Huda from under her desk and ran with her across the road to the hospital, itself scarred by Israeli bullets. After weeks in hospital, she has started breathing for herself again, through a windpipe cut into her throat. She has regained use of her arms and legs, but will be blind for the rest of her life.
Rahman was in another class at the same school. The next day, lessons were cancelled and the boy defied his mother to tag along at the funeral of a slain Palestinian fighter. The burial evolved into the ritual protest of children marching to the security fence that separates Gaza's dense and beggared Khan Yunis refugee camp from the spacious religious exclusivity of the neighbouring Jewish settlement. As Rahman hung a Palestinian flag on the fence, a bullet caught him under his left eye. He died on the spot. "It looks as if the soldiers saw him put the flag on the fence and they shot him," says Rahman's brother, 19-year-old Ijaram. "There were many kids next to him, next to the fence. But he was the only one carrying the flag. Why else would they have shot him?"
Britain's chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, recently praised the Israeli military as the most humanitarian in the world because it claims to risk its soldiers' lives to avoid killing innocent Palestinians. It is a belief echoed by most Israelis, who revere the army as an institution of national salvation. Yet among the most shocking aspects of the past three years of intifada that has no shortage of horrors - not least the teenage suicide bombers revelling in mass murder - has been the killing of children by the Israeli army.
The numbers are staggering; one in five Palestinian dead is a child. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) says at least 408 Palestinian children have been killed since the beginning of the intifada in September 2000. Nearly half were killed in the Gaza strip, and most of those died in two refugee camps in the south, Khan Yunis and Rafah. The PCHR says they were victims of "indiscriminate shooting, excessive force, a shoot-to-kill policy and the deliberate targeting of children".
And children continue to die, even after the ceasefire declared by Hamas and other groups at the end of June. On Friday, a soldier at a West Bank checkpoint shot dead a four-year-old boy, Ghassan Kabaha, and wounded his two young sisters after "accidentally" letting loose at a car with a burst of machinegun fire from his armoured vehicle. The rate of killing since the beginning of the ceasefire has dropped sharply, but almost every day the army has continued to fire heavy machineguns into Khan Yunis or Rafah. Among the latest victims of apparently indiscriminate shooting were three teenagers and an eight-year-old, Yousef Abu Jaza, hit in the knee when soldiers shot at a group of children playing football in Khan Yunis.
The military says it is difficult to distinguish between youths and men who might be Palestinian fighters, but the statistics show that nearly a quarter of the children killed were under 12. Last year alone, 50 children under the age of eight were shot dead or blown up by the Israeli army in Gaza: eight, one of whom was two months old, were slaughtered when a one-tonne bomb was dropped on a block of flats to kill a lone Hamas leader, Sheikh Salah Mustafa Shehada. But Rahman, Huda and Haneen were not "collateral damage" in the assassination of Hamas "terrorists", or caught in crossfire. There was no combat when they were shot. There was nothing more than a single burst of fire, sometimes a single bullet, from an Israeli soldier's gun.
It was the same when seven-year-old Ali Ghureiz was shot in the head on the street outside his house in Rafah. And when Haneen Abu Sitta, 12, was killed while walking home after school near the fence with a Jewish settlement in southern Gaza. And when Nada Madhi, also 12, was shot in the stomach and died as she leaned out of her bedroom window in Rafah to watch the funeral procession for another child killed earlier.
The army offered a senior officer of its southern command to discuss the shooting of these six children over a period of just 10 weeks earlier this year. The military told me I could not name him, even though his identity is no secret to the Israeli public or his enemies; it was this officer who explained to the nation how an army bulldozer came to crush to death the young American peace activist, Rachel Corrie.
"I want you to know we are not a bunch of crazies down here," he says. At his headquarters in the Gush Khatif Jewish settlement in Gaza, the commander rattles through the army's version of the shootings: either the military knew nothing of them, or the children had been caught in crossfire - a justification used so frequently, and so often disproved, that it is rarely believed. But three hours later, after poring over maps and military logs, timings and regulations, he concedes that his soldiers were responsible - even culpable - in several of the killings.
The Israeli army's instinctive response is to muddy the waters when confronted with a controversial killing. At first, it questioned whether Huda was even shot. I described for the soldiers the scene in the classroom with blood rippling up the wall behind the child's desk.
"I don't know how this happened," says the commander. "I take responsibility for this. It could have been one of ours. I think it probably was."
The killing of Haneen is clearer in the commander's mind. "We checked it and we know that on the same day there was shooting of a mortar," he says. "The troops from the post shot back at the area where the mortar was launched, the area where the girl was killed. We didn't see if we hit someone. I assume that a stray bullet hit Haneen. Unfortunately." Doesn't he think that simply shooting back in the general direction of a mortar attack is irresponsible at best? He says not. "You cannot have soldiers sitting and doing nothing when they are shot at," he says.
Haneen's mother, Mrs Selmi, believes her daughter was shot from "the container". The metal box dangling from a crane evokes more constant fear in Khan Yunis than the helicopter rocket attacks and tank incursions. Nestled inside is an Israeli sniper shielded by camouflage netting and hoisted high enough to see deep into the refugee camp. From inside, it is striking how much the box moves around in the wind, leaving little hope of an accurate shot. Peering from behind the camouflage, the view is mostly of Palestinian houses riddled with bullet holes, a testament to the scale of incoming Israeli fire. Haneen's home sits a few metres from the security fence separating Khan Yunis from the Jewish settlement. But, because the house is inhabited, the damage is mostly limited to the upper floor, with 27 bulletholes around the windows. "In this area, we shoot at the houses," says the Israeli commander. "We don't want people on the second floor. I gave the order: shoot at the windows."
He may concede his soldiers are responsible for shooting Huda and Haneen, but he denies their responsibility for the slaying of Rahman, the nine-year-old shot while hanging the flag at the security fence. "We saw the children, we saw them for sure. They always demonstrate in this area after funerals. But I don't have any report from the troops on our shooting on this occasion," he says. "We have rules of engagement that we don't shoot children."
Seven-year-old Ali Ghureiz's father scoffs at the claim. "They meant to kill him, for sure," says Talab Ghureiz. "I can't imagine anyone who considers himself a human being can do this."
The killing of Ali and wounding of his five-year-old brother is particularly disturbing because the commander admits there was no combat and the boys were the focus of the soldier's attention. The Ghureiz house lies on the very edge of Rafah. At the bottom of the street, an Israeli armoured vehicle and guard posts sit in the midst of a "no-go" area of tangled wire, broken buildings and mud. On the other side is the Egyptian border. "There were three kids. They were playing 50m from the house," says Ghureiz. "The Israelis fired two or three bullets, maybe more. No one could have made a mistake. They were only 100m from the children. I don't know why they did it. Ali was shot in the face immediately below his left eye. It was a big bullet. It did a lot of damage," he whispers.
"This is the first I've heard of this," says the commander. "According to the log, in the afternoon there were children trying to cross the border. The tower fired five bullets and didn't report any children hurt. Usually with children this age, we don't shoot. There is a very strict rule of engagement about shooting at children. You don't do it." But Ali is dead. "They [Palestinian fighters] send children to the fence. An older guy, usually 25 or so, gives them the order to go to the fence, or dig next to it. They know we don't shoot at children. If one of my soldiers goes out to chase them away, a sniper will be waiting for him."
Fences usually mark defined limits but, as with so much in the occupied territories, the rules are deliberately vague. There is an ill-defined ban on "approaching" the security fences separating Gaza from Israel or the Jewish settlements. "We have a danger zone 100 to 200m from the fence around Gush Katif [settlement]. They [the Palestinians] know where the danger zone is," the commander says. But many houses in Rafah and Khan Yunis are within the "danger zone". Children play in its shadow, and many adults fear walking to their own front doors.
"We have in our rules of engagement how to handle this," the commander says. "During the day, if someone is inside the zone without a weapon and not attempting to harm or with hostile intent, then we do not shoot. If he has a weapon or hostile intent, you can shoot to kill. If he doesn't have a weapon, you shoot 50m from him into something solid that will stop the bullet, like a wall. You shoot twice in the air, and if he continues to move then you are allowed to shoot him in the leg."
The regulations are drummed into every soldier, but there is ample evidence that the army barely enforces them. The military's critics say the vast majority of soldiers do not commit such crimes but those that do are rarely called to account. The result is an atmosphere of impunity. Israel's army chief-of-staff, Lieutenant General Moshe Yaalon, claims that every shooting of a civilian is investigated. "Harming innocent civilians is firstly a matter of morals and values, and we cannot permit ourselves to let this happen. I deal with it personally," he told the Israeli press. But Yaalon has not dealt personally with any of the killings of the six children reported on here.
The army's indifferent handling of the shootings of civilians has even drawn stinging criticism from a member of Ariel Sharon's Likud party in the Israeli parliament, Michael Eitan. "I am not certain that the responsible officials are aware of the fact that there are gross violations of human rights in the field, despite army regulations," he said.
The case of Khalil al-Mughrabi is telling. The 11-year-old was shot dead in Rafah by the Israeli army two years ago as he played football with a group of friends near the security fence. One of Israel's most respected human rights organisations, B'Tselem, wrote to the judge advocate general's office, responsible for prosecuting soldiers, demanding an inquiry. Months later, the office wrote back saying that Khalil was shot by soldiers who acted with "restraint and control" to disperse a riot in the area. However, the judge advocate general's office made the mistake of attaching a copy of its own, supposedly secret, investigation which came to a quite different conclusion - that the riot had been much earlier in the day and the soldiers who shot the child should not have opened fire. The report says a "serious deviation from obligatory norms of behaviour" took place.
In the report, the chief military prosecutor, Colonel Einat Ron, then spelled out alternative false scenarios that should be offered to B'Tselem. B'Tselem said the internal report confirmed that the army has a policy of covering up its crimes. "The message that the judge advocate general's office transmits to soldiers is clear: soldiers who violate the 'Open Fire Regulations', even if their breach results in death, will not be investigated and will not be prosecuted."
Towards the end of the interview, the commander in Gaza finally concedes that his soldiers were at fault to some degree or other in the killing of most - but not all - of the children we discussed. They include a 12-year-old girl, Haneen Abu Sitta, shot dead in Rafah as she walked home from school near a security fence around one of the fortified Jewish settlements. The army moved swiftly to cover it up. It leaked a false story to more compliant parts of the Israeli media, claiming Haneen was shot during a gun battle between troops and "terrorists" in an area known for weapons smuggling across the border from Egypt. But the army commander concedes that there was no battle. "Every name of a child here, it makes me feel bad because it's the fault of my soldiers. I need to learn and see the mistakes of my troops," he says. But by the end of the interview, he is combative again. "I remember the Holocaust. We have a choice, to fight the terrorists or to face being consumed by the flames again," he says.
The Israeli army insists that interviews with its commanders about controversial issues are off the record. Depending on what the officer says, that bar is sometimes lifted. I ask to be able to name the commander in Gaza. The army refuses. "He has admitted his soldiers were responsible for at least some of those killings," says an army spokesman who sat in on the interview. "In this day and age that raises the prospect of war crimes, not here but if he travels abroad he could be arrested some time in the future. Some people might think there is something wrong here."

December 3, 2002 Palestinian Children in the Night

2006-11-26T06:32:00.000-08:00

December 3, 2002
Palestinian Children in the Night
by SAM BAHOUR
November, 29. Under curfew.
It happened last night. Ramallah was pitch dark and the breeze was cool and brisk. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I was out during the night with my wife and two daughters, Areen, 8 and Nadine, 2. We were taking advantage of the lull in nightly curfews imposed by the Israeli military over the past year. We found ourselves in the midst of a crowd of over 300 cheering Palestinians. Between us and another group of a few dozen Palestinian youth were two United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representatives. The two representatives were clearly American, in looks and accent. A few of the Palestinians standing behind the UNDP representatives slowly walked up behind them and one pulled from a bag what looked like a one meter wooden bat. Our hearts beating, and before we could clearly make out what was happening, the Palestinian boy holding this object unraveled a most beautiful and colorful Palestinian embroidery piece. The embroidery was attached to a wooden rod and the Palestinian teenager proudly held it up and presented it to the two UNDP representatives as a gift for their support. This was the final few minutes in what was a moving and fabulous one-hour debut of the Palestinian Folk Vista, by Bara'em El-Funoun, a new generation of the El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe.
Bara'em is Arabic for "buds". El-Funoun is Arabic for "the arts". Bara'em El-Funoun is the offshoot of the renowned El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe (http://www.el-funoun.org/), a music and dance ensemble, inspired by universal elements of folk art and their particular expression in Arab-Palestinian popular heritage and folklore. Bara'em El-Funoun is the embodiment of a new generation of dancers, a generation that is determined to safeguard and advance Palestinian culture and heritage through dance, music and song.
We are in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan in Ramallah has historically been marked by joyous evenings during the cool and breezy nights following the breaking of daylight fast. This year is an exception, as was last year. For the last two years the Israeli occupation has stripped all evidence of normal life from Palestinian streets. Whereas the city centers would once have been open for business late into the evening to cater to Ramadan shoppers and holiday-goers, today only a handful of businesses venture to open their doors after nightfall, fearing the volatile security situation and realizing that their patrons prefer to not risk the surprise Israeli raids and patrols within the city.
Last night was different. Over 300 Palestinians were invited to attend the first performance of El-Funoun's youth dance group. The mere invitation to such an event during these troubled times sparked a deep sense of defiance toward occupation in each of us. It was as if this youth dance group and those organizing them were calling for popular action to counter the Israeli military activities that have brought our cultural lives to a standstill. The action was clearly defined and well planned - a forceful demonstration by way of dance, music and song that Palestinian culture is alive and well, undamaged by Israeli tanks, armored personnel carriers and F-16's that have permanently scarred each of our streets, neighborhoods and families.
We entered the Ramallah Municipality Hall along with dozens of other families. Parents, children, elders and many friends gathered together in public for the first time in quite a while to celebrate a positive and cheerful event. For us it was a special event too. My wife Abeer was a dancer with the El-Funoun dance troupe back in the late 80's and my daughter Areen is currently training in dance at classes at the Popular Arts Center (PAC) with great hopes of one day being accepted into the Bara'em troupe and then graduating into the El-Funoun troupe.
This tribute to Palestinian culture came with a story, like most events in Palestine these days. Bara'em members rehearsed most of the Palestinian Folk Vista production during Israeli-imposed military curfews. On one occasion, they were all trying to reach the studio (at the PAC in Al-Bireh, ) when they suddenly saw an Israeli armored personnel carrier (APC) parked right outside the studio entrance. Khaled, the dance trainer, was with them, and he was terrified that troupe members would be hurt. He bore the millstone of responsibility. After all, it was he who had convinced the parents to let their children challenge the curfew to get to the rehearsals. He panicked, and suddenly, one of the Bara'em girls decided to walk to the entrance despite the presence of that APC. Everyone else followed and they made it to practice! The soldiers did not interfere this time, luckily.
Bara'em's performance was stunning. The smiles of the dancers were refreshing. As Omar Barghouti, one of the proud choreographers, told me following the event: "Those children became real dancers with power, passion and a very convincing ability to convey the choreographed themes, to entertain and to impress. Our children are not reduced to mere victims, who solicit sympathy; they have a presence that demands solidarity and support. This has been El-Funoun's direction for decades now, and we can finally take pride in passing it on to our next generation of El- Funoun members, Bara'em."
In the middle of the performance my nephew, Yacoub, 14, took the stage to present a musical solo on the Qanun, a zither-like musical instrument with 26 triple courses of strings and one of the oldest oriental string instruments in Arabic music. As Yacoub fine-tuned his instrument, you could have heard a pin drop while the audience waited in anticipation. My two-year-old daughter seized the opportunity to yell out to her cousin from the middle of the hall, "Yacoub!" It was her way of expressing her excitement of the moment and she brought the entire audience to a warm laugh.
Dance after dance, these young boys and girls dazzled the audience with their agility and outstanding ability to synchronize with the traditional songs depicting the love of life that resides in all Palestinians, a love that appreciates the wonders of nature, respects land and refuses to forget those living in poverty and exile. Each girl dancer wore a traditional embroidered Arabic dress, full of color and full of life. The young boy dancers each wore a simple loose traditional garment reflecting those worn by Palestinian peasants and farmers for hundreds of years.
A scan of the audience brought sadness and hope. A friend, and one of the El-Funoun choreographers, Mrs. Lana Abu Hijleh, sat close to the stage and looked on with a bright smile. This performance was an accomplishment she had a right to be proud of. To see her smile brought hope, especially given that it was only a few weeks ago we paid our respects to her and her family after her mother was murdered by an Israeli solider in the Palestinian City of Nablus as she sat on the porch inside her home stitching an embroidery. I watched other friends enjoying the performance as well, knowing that many of their loved ones were missing from their sides. Instead of being in the audience watching their children culturally flourish, many fathers, brothers and sons instead were languishing in Israeli jails, part of the 7,000 Palestinians arbitrarily arrested over the past two years.
The UNDP, sponsors of this fabulous performance, accepted a gift of embroidery at the end of the event. In making his closing remarks, the UNDP representative was clearly moved by what he had seen - a drop of hope in a sea of despair.
While sitting and watching the performance with my youngest daughter on my lap violently clapping after every dance, I thought to myself, if only our Israeli neighbors could see and feel what we were seeing and feeling. If only the parents of those Israeli soldiers -- not much older than the young Palestinian dancers on stage -- patrolling and occupying our cities could see the energy and determination that was on stage and in the audience. If only my Israeli neighbors could remove the artificial blinders placed on them by their leadership, they would quickly realize that we are a people whose spirit cannot be broken by military occupation. A people whose culture and traditions are deeper than the roots of the olive tress that the Israel bulldozers continue to uproot. If they could only see! If they could only feel!
Before we reached home last night it was announced by the Israeli military that for the next two days Ramallah would be placed under 24-hr military curfew, yet again. It was as if the entire city was being collectively punished for the act of displaying Palestinian culture. Nevertheless, when the curfew is lifted we will send our daughter Areen for her next weekly dance lesson, for we have no time to waste in ending this occupation, so disastrous for us all. Maybe the dance weapon will succeed where everything else so far has failed.
Sam Bahour is a Palestinian-American businessman living in the besieged Palestinian City of Al-Bireh in the West Bank. He is co-author of HOMELAND: Oral Histories of Palestine and Palestinians (1994). He can be reached at sbahour@palnet.com.

Palestinian children are not terrorists

2006-11-26T06:29:00.000-08:00

Palestinian children are not terrorists
By MARIANNE ALBINAGUEST COLUMNIST
Terrorist is the label all too frequently attached to Palestinian children. Today, many Palestinian youngsters feel misjudged by a world choosing to condemn them rather than know them.
These children are confronted with a hard struggle: to find ways to clear their name and reputation in the media. They want others to realize their only fault was to be born under an occupation that stripped away their childhood.
The life of Palestinian children is far from normal. Their daily trips to school take hours instead of minutes. According to The Washington Post, there are 659 checkpoints, roadblocks, trenches and earthen walls in the West Bank. In recent days, Israeli settlers have twice attacked the Christian Peacemaker Team as they accompanied Palestinian children to their school. Those who do reach their schools are disoriented and tired, ill prepared to absorb anything on the syllabus that day.
Palestinian children quickly realize their parents cannot protect them. They think it's normal to witness the death of friends, Israeli gunmen firing into certain schools and the razing of homes. This is disastrous for us and not without consequence for Israel.
Recently, I was unable to give a guarantee to a child that Israeli soldiers would not harm him. In such an uncertain environment, children become helpless, aggressive, afraid, extremely disobedient or compliant, depressed and fatigued. The Gaza Community Mental Health Program has noted children are plagued by serious psychological ills caused by the stresses of military occupation.
Many Palestinian organizations are aware of what youngsters are going through and work to promote their well-being. These groups help Palestinian children channel their anger and positively serve their nation.
Today, due to the efforts of organizations such as the Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation, some of these children resist the occupation by utilizing their creativity, ambition and enthusiasm. They invest significant energy in the search for meaningful and non-violent ways of contributing to freedom. Some help the victims of the occupation; others prefer to write about the current situation and help spread awareness.
While Palestinian children have chosen different paths in resisting the occupation, they are all trying their best to revive the nation's dying hope of a dignified life. Yet, as the occupation strikes over and over again, children lose confidence that justice is possible.
Contrary to the belief of many, young Palestinians are able to do much more than fling stones in desperation at tanks. If we help, children realize the importance of never giving up, no matter how trying their circumstances. It is not easy. And the world lets them down by voicing principles that are not enforced in the occupied territories.
I urge you not to misjudge our young heroes who are trying to secure a normal life. The courage of the children of Birmingham, Ala., half a century ago is not unknown to our own children. What is missing is the needed media coverage and American empathy as day in and day out another Palestinian child is killed or injured.
We should protect the lives of Palestinian and Israeli children. At this writing, more than 550 Palestinian children and 100 Israeli children have been killed in the past four years. I am convinced by my short visit here that Americans are fair-minded and care for all children.
The U.S. government's backing for almost all of Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's actions, however, comes at the expense of justice for Palestinians and safety for Israelis and for Palestinians. Children need the help of the American people rather than the one-sided rhetoric of your presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Marianne Albina, a Palestinian activist, is on a national speaking tour with Partners for Peace. She will speak at 7 p.m. Monday at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Call the World Affairs Council at 206-441-5910 for more information.

More news about the children of palestine in arabic

2006-11-25T07:58:00.000-08:00

http://pcac2006.maktoobblog.com/

1 Boy Critically Wounded

2006-11-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

HEBRON, November 25, 2006,A 15-year-old child was critically wounded and several citizens were arrested while two houses were blown up Saturday by Israeli Occupation Forces(IOF) in the West Bank(WB) cities of Hebron and Nablus, medical and security sources said.Medical sources, in Hebron, told that Jihad Farroukh was critically wounded after being hit with a rubber coated bullet in the head.Witnesses said that Israeli soldiers shot and wounded the boy in Sa'eer town, near Hebron city.Meanwhile, IOF arrested three citizens in the village of Beit Owla, north of Hebron and led them into an unknown location.In Nablus, IOF stormed local TV station in the Old city and arrested four employees, security sources said.The sources added that IOF also blew up the two houses of Ghassan Madmouj and Omar al-Saeh in the neighborhood of Alqisariyya.

Sammen for Palestinske barn

2006-11-25T07:26:00.000-08:00

Sammen for Palestinske barn
PCAC (Palestinian Child Arts Center) er en ikke-statlig institusjon som ble dannet i 1994. Deres aktiviteter og program har som mål å utvikle de palestinske barnas intellektuelle og åndlige evner, og å understreke barnas positive rolle i oppbyggingen av det palestinske samfunnet.
De blodige og voldelige handelsene som har inntruffet de siste årene i Palestina har hatt en svært dårlig innflytelse på de palestinske barna, både på deres oppførsel og på deres liv. Massakren i 1994 i Hebron hvor en jødisk settler drepte 36 palestinere var et sjokk for barna i byen, og deres oppførsel forandret seg drastisk.
PCAC hjelper fremdeles disse barna med å komme tilbake til et normalt liv med psykisk velvære. PCAC jobber for at barn kan få utviklet sine evner ved å følge PCAC's parole "Towards A Creative Palestinian Child".
PCAC er ledet av spesialister på barns atferd,og støttes av andre spesialister på samme område.

PCAC MÅL
PCAC's aktiviteter har som mål å:
- Organisere utdanningsprogram for barn
- Tilby rehabiliterings kurs for profesjonelle som jobber med barn
- Tilby instruksjon og rådgivning til foskjellige program rettet mot barn, og lignende institusjoner med mål å lage en felles kultur.
- Utføre studier om barns rettigheter og utgi brosjyrer og artikler om barns problemer og forsvare deres rettigheter.
- Koordinere og samarbeide med forskjellige institusjoner som jobber med barn
- Skape et godt samarbeid med arabiske og internasjonale institusjoner og statlige og ikke statlige institusjoner som arbeider med barn og deres rettigheter

PCAC
PCAC har forskjellige aktiviteter, program og tjenester både for barn og voksne.
Forskjellige aktiviteter for barn:
- Amal Al-Ghad ( Morgendagens håp ) Årlig samling for barn mellom 5-12 år.
- Bibliotek
- Håndverk & kunstkurs
- Musikkurs
- Rekruttering av unge ledere for barn mellom 14-18 år.
- Dukketeater
- Dataspill
- Festivaler
- Utstillinger

Forskjellige aktiviteter, program og tjenester for voksne:
- Rekruttering av ledere
- Opplæringsprogrammer (seminarer, foredrag, arbeidsgrupper, konferanser og barnerelaterte utstillinger).
- Kvalifisere barnehagelærere
- Formingslære
- Opplæring av rådgivere for sommerleirene.

Planer og Prosjekter for Framtiden:
Aktivitetene til senteret har som mål å utvikle barnas evner gjennom å møte barnets behov og ønsker. Senteret har følgende planer og prosjekter:
- Bytte ut datamaskinene ( 8 maskiner ), og øke antall maskiner.
- Forstørre biblioteket i sentere med bøker og historier.
- Forbedre musikkavdelingen ved å tilføye flere mussikk instrumenter
- Koble senteret til internet
- Utvekslingsprogram med andre barn i andre land.
- Øke antall aktiviteter i senteret

Med Vennlig Hilsen PCAC / HEBRON

http://www.pcac.net

PALESTINIAN CHILD ARTS CENTER PCAC -SWEDISH

2006-11-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

PALESTINIAN CHILD ARTS CENTER

PCAC är ett icke-statligt, icke-komersiellt center grundat 1994. Dess program och aktiviteter har som mål att utveckla de palestinska barnens intellektuella förmåga och stärka deras roll i det palestinska samhällets uppbyggnads- och utvecklingsprocess.

De sista årtiondenas blodiga och våldsamma händelser i Palestina har påverkat barnens levnadssätt och uppträdande. Den massaker på 36 palestinier som utfördes av en judisk bosättare i Hebron i februari 1994 har satt djupa spår och påverkat barnen på flera olika plan. PCACs aktiviteter hjälper dessa barn att gradvis återgå till ett normalt liv. Samtidigt får de utveckla sin kreativitet och sina talanger för att PCACs paroll “För kreativa palestinska barn “ skall bli verklighet.

PCAC drivs av en grupp barnspecialister. Arbetet överses av en styrelse.

PCAC:s mål

PCACs mål är att

q utarbeta undervisningsprogram för barn
q erbjuda kurser för personer som arbetar med barn
q erbjuda rådgivning och vägledning för andra liknande centra för att skapa en bred gemensam barnkultur i Palestina
q genomföra studier av brott mot barns rättigheter, publicera material rörande
barns problem och försvara deras rättigheter
q skapa relationer med arabiska och internationella statliga och icke-statliga
organisationer som arbetar med barn

PCAC:s program och aktiviteter

PCAC erbjuder en rad aktiviteter, program och tjänster för både barn och vuxna.

För barn

Amal al-ghad (Morgondagens Hopp) – ett årligt program där barn 5-12 år deltar
Biblioteksservice
Konst- och hantverkskurser
Musiklektioner
Utbildning för ungdomsledare 14-18 år
Dockteater
Dataspel
Festivaler
Utställningar

För vuxna

Ledarrekrytering
Utbildning (seminarier, föreläsningar, konferenser och utställningar)
Kurser för förskollärare
Konstkurser
Utbildning för sommarlägerledare

Planer för framtiden

PCAC strävar efter att utveckla barns olika förmågor genom att möta deras växande behov och önskningar. PCAC har följande projekt och planer för framtiden:

q öka centrets aktiviteter
q öka antalet datorer i centret
q öka antalet böcker i biblioteket
q öka antalet musikinstrument
q medverka I internationella utbytesprogram för barn

För mer information, titta på vår hemsida: http://www.pcac.net

Kontakta oss gärna:

Adress: PCAC
PO Box 616
Hebron

Besöksadress: Al-Khalil Building, Al-Hawouz, Hebron

Telefon/fax: (972 2) 222 48 13, 222 08 55

E-mail: pcac2000@hotmail.com
Vi sätter stort värde på Dina kommentarer och förslag!

"PER UN BAMBINO PALESTINESE CREATIVO"

2006-11-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

"PER UN BAMBINO PALESTINESE CREATIVO"
PALESTINIAN CHILD ARTS CENTER
(P.C.A.C.)
Fondato nel 1994 a Hebron, Palestina
http://www.pcac.net

INDIRIZZO POSTALE
P.O. Box 616
Hebron, Palestina
Tel : +972-2-222 08 55
Fax: +972-2-222 48 13

Il P.C.A.C. e un’ organizzazione non governativa e non profit fondata nel 1994. Le sue attività e i suoi programmi ruotano intorno allo sviluppo intellettuale del bambino palestinese. Il centro cerca inoltre di rafforzare il ruolo positivo del bambino nella costruzione della società palestinese. I violenti e sanguinosi avvenimenti degli ultimi decenni in Palestina hanno colpito i bambini, il loro comportamento e la loro vita. Dopo il massacro della Moschea di Abramo nel Febbraio 1994 – compiuto da un colono ebreo che provoco’ la morte di 36 palestinesi – i bambini di Hebron restarono traumatizzati e i loro comportamenti cambiarono drasticamente.
I programmi del P.C.A.C. aiutano gradualmente questi bambini a riprendere una vita normale e benessere psicologico esplorando la loro creatività e il loro talento in tutti i campi. Il centro si propone di conseguire quanto annunciato dal suo slogan “Per un bambino palestinese creativo”.
Il P.C.A.C. é costituito da un team specializzato in pedagogia e diretto da un Consiglio d’ Amministrazione qualificato.

GLI OBIETTIVI DEL P.C.A.C.
Il P.C.A.C. si occupa di diverse attività:
- Preparazione di programmi educativi per i bambini
- Corsi di aggiornamento per professionisti nel campo dell’ infanzia
- Consultazione di altri programmi per bambini e confronto con altre organizzazioni al fine di creare una cultura educativa comune
- Condurre ricerche sulla violazione dei diritti dei bambini e pubblicare bollettini e rapporti per difendere questi diritti
- Coordinazione e cooperazione con altre istituzioni che si occupano dei bambini
- Sviluppare relazioni con organizzazioni governative e non governative arabe e
internazionali che si occupano dei bambini e dei loro diritti

I PROGRAMMI DEL P.C.A.C: attività e servizi
Il centro offre numerose attività e servizi sia ai bambini che agli adulti
BAMBINI:
-Incontro annuale “Amal Al Ghad” (Speranza nel domani): programma rivolto ai bambini tra 5-12 anni
-Biblioteca
-Lezioni di arte e lavori manuali
-Corsi di musica
-Corsi per giovani leader rivolti ai ragazzi tra 14-18 anni
-Teatro delle marionette
-Giochi informatici ed elettronici
-Festival
-Esposizioni

ADULTI
-Reclutamento di leader
-Educazione pubblica (seminari, letture, conferenze, laboratori, esposizioni su temi legati all’ infanzia
-Qualificazione di insegnanti delle scuole materne e di educazione artistica
-Qualificazione di consulenti per i campi estivi

PROGETTI E PROGRAMMI FUTURI
Le attività del centro cercano di sviluppare le abilità dei bambini secondo le loro esigenze e richieste.
Il centro attualmente sta lavorando alla realizzazione dei seguenti progetti:

- Aggiornare gli 8 computer già presenti nel centro e metterne a disposizione altri
- Ampliare la biblioteca specializzata in letture per bambini
- Sviluppare il reparto dedicato alla musica con l’ inserimento di nuovi strumenti musicali e rinnovare quelli già a disposizione del centro
- Connessione a internet
- Intensificare i programmi di scambio con i bambini di altri paesi
- Incrementare il numero delle attività del centro
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Commenti e suggerimenti sono graditi. Se l’ Arte per bambini vi interessa o se volete avere maggiori informazioni sul nostro sito web www.pcac.net fatecelo sapere.

CONTATTATE: pcac2000@hotmail.com

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RESTIAMO IN CONTATTO:
- Contattateci : volete inviarci un e-mail? Scriverci una lettera? Tutte le informazioni di cui avete bisogno sono qui.
-Commentate : speriamo che il nostro sito sia stato di vostro gradimento. Consigli e suggerimenti sono benvenuti.

« POUR UN ENFANT PALESTINIEN CREATIF »

2006-11-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

« POUR UN ENFANT PALESTINIEN CREATIF »

PALESTINIAN CHILD ARTS CENTER
(P.C.A.C.)

http://www.pcac.net

Créé en 1994 à Hébron, Palestine.

Adresse postale :
P.O. Box 616
Hébron, Palestine
Tel : 972-2-222 08 55
Fax : 972-2-222 48 13

* Le P.C.A.C. est une organisation non-gouvernementale, à but non-lucratif, qui a été créée en 1994. Ses activités et ses programmes sont tournés vers le développement intellectuel des enfants palestiniens. De plus, le Centre tend à renforcer le rôle de l’enfant dans la construction et l’évolution de la société palestinienne.

* Les événements violents et sanglants des dernières décennies en Palestine ont affecté les enfants palestiniens dans leur comportement et leur vie. Après le massacre de la Mosquée d’Abraham en février 1994, au cours duquel un colon juif tua 36 Palestiniens, les enfants d’Hébron ont été choqués et leur comportement a dramatiquement changé.

* Les programmes du P.C.A.C. aident ces enfants à retrouver petit à petit une vie normale et un bien-être psychologique. Ils explorent leur créativité et leurs talents dans tous les domaines, ceci afin d’atteindre notre but, annoncé par notre slogan : » Pour un enfant palestinien créatif ».

* Le P.C.A.C. est géré par une équipe de spécialistes en pédagogie et supervisé par un Conseil d’Administration qualifié.
LES OBJECTIFS DU P.C.A.C.
Le P.C.A.C. travaille sur différents types d’activités :
* préparation de programmes éducatifs pour les enfants
* cours de remise à niveau pour les professionnels des métiers de l’enfance
* consultation et conseil auprès d’autres organisations pour enfants afin de créer une « culture éducative » commune
* recherches sur les violations des droits de l’enfant et publication de bulletins et rapports pour défendre ces droits
* coordination et coopération avec d’autres institutions pour enfants
* développement des relations avec des organisations arabes ou internationales, gouvernementales ou non, qui s’occupent d’enfants et militent pour le respect de leurs droits.

LES PROGRAMMES DU P.C.A.C. : activités et services
Le Centre offre nombre d’activités et de services à la fois pour les enfants et pour les adultes

* Pour les enfants * Pour les adultes
. rassemblement annuel « Amal al Ghad » . recrutement de responsables de
(espoir pour demain) : programme pour les groupes
5-12 ans . éducation publique (séminaires,
. bibliothèque conférences, ateliers et expositions
. cours de travaux manuels et activités artistiques sur les questions liées à l’enfance)
. cours de musique . qualification d’instituteurs de
. préparation à l’encadrement de groupes pour les maternelle en éducation artistique
14-18 ans . qualification de conseillers pour les
. théâtre de marionettes camps d’été
. jeux informatiques et électroniques
. festivals et expositions

LES PROJETS DU P.C.A.C.

Les activités du centre cherchent à développer les capacités des enfants en accord avec leurs besoins, leurs intérêts et leurs désirs. Le Centre travaille actuellement sur plusieurs projets :

* renouvellement de 8 ordinateurs déjà en place et mise à disposition de nouveaux
* agrandissement de la bibliothèque spécialisée en littérature enfantine
* développement du département « musique » en proposant plus d’instruments et renouvellement des anciens instruments
* connexion à l’internet
* mise en place de programme d’échanges avec des enfants d’autres pays
* augmentation du nombre d’activités du Centre.

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Vos commentaires et suggestions sont appréciés. Si les « Arts de l’Enfance » vous intéressent ou si vous désirez avoir plus d’informations sur notre site-web http://www.pcac.net , faites le nous savoir.

* Contact : pcac2000@hotmail.com

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Avec les compliments du P.C.A.C. / Hébron
e-mail : pcac2000@hotmail.com

RESTER EN CONTACT :

* Nous contacter : vous voulez nous envoyer un e-mail ? Nous écrire une lettre ? Toutes les informations dont vous avez besoin sont ici.
* Nous évaluer : nous espérons que vous avez apprécié notre site. Vos commentaires et suggestions sont les bienvenus !

Palestinian Child Art Center (PCAC)

2006-11-25T07:17:00.000-08:00

Palestinian Child Art Center
(P.C.A.C.)

( Palästinensisches Kinder Kunst Zentrum)

http://www.pcac.net

Gegrűndet 1994
Hebron, Palästina

Mail Adresse:
P.O. Box 616
Hebron, Palästina
Tel.: 972-2-2220855
Fax: 972-2-2224813

Palestinian Child Art Center

( Palästinensisches Kinder Kunst Zentrum)
Hebron

"Towards A Creative Palestinian Child"

Das P.C.A.C. ist eine nicht gewinnbringende und nichtregierungsorientierte Institution, die 1994 gegrűndet wurde. Die Aktivitäten und Programme des Zentrums sind auf die Entwicklung des palästinensischen, kindlichen Geistes ausgerichtet. Zudem wird die positive Rolle des palästinensischen Kindes in einer sich bildenden und fortschreitenden Gesellschaft gestärkt.
Die blutigen und gewaltsamen Aktionen der vergangenen Jahrzehnte in Palästina haben die palästinensischen Kinder in ihrem Verhalten und ihrem natűrlichen Leben geprägt. Nach dem Massaker im Februar 1994 in der Ibrahim Moschee in Hebron - welches von einem jűdischen Siedler begangen wurde und zum Tod von 36 Palästinensern fűhrte - waren die Kinder Hebrons geschockt und ihr Verhalten veränderte sich dramatisch.

Die Programme des P.C.A.C. helfen diesen Kindern schrittweise zu ihrem natűrlichen Leben und ihrer psychologischen Gesundheit zurűckzufinden und Kreativität und Talente der Kinder in allen Gebieten zu entdecken um den P.C.A.C. Leitslogan "Towards A Creative Palestinian Child" zu erreichen.
Das P.C.A.C. wird geleitet von einem pädagogischen Team, welches von einer qualifizierten Supervisionsgruppe begleitet wird.

Ziele des P.C.A.C.

· Die Aktivitäten des P.C.A.C. zielen auf die folgenden Aspekte:
· Ausarbeitung pädagogischer Programme fűr Kinder
· Angebot von Rehabilitationskursen für Professionelle, die mit Kindern arbeiten
· Leitung und Beratung von unterschiedlichen Programmen und Institutionen für Kinder, die das Ziel verfolgen eine gemeinschaftlich-basierte Kultur zu schaffen.
· Fűhren von Studien űber Kinderrechts-Verletzungen und Ausgabe von Tagesberichten und Publikationen, die sich mit Problemen von Kindern und dem Verteidigen ihrer Rechte beschäftigen.
· Koordination und Kooperation mit unterschiedlichen Institutionen, die sich mit Kindern befassen.
· Entwicklung von Beziehungen zu arabischen und internationalen Regierungs- und Nichtregierungsinstitutionen, die sich mit Kindern und dem Verteidigen ihrer Rechte beschäftigen.

Programme, Aktivitäten und Dienstleistungen des P.C.A.C.

Das Zentrum stellt eine Vielzahl von Aktivitäten, Programmen und Diensten sowohl fűr Kinder als auch fűr Erwachsene zur Verfűgung.

Aktivitäten, Programme und Dienstleistungen

Kinder Erwachsene

· Amal Al Ghad (Hoffnung von Morgen) Jährlich stattfindendes Sommercamp mit einem Programm fűr Kinder im Alter von 5-12 Jahren
· Pädagogische Ausbildung von Leitern, die Jugendliche fűr den Einsatz in Workcamps trainieren
· Bibliotheksangebot
· Öffentliche pädagogische Angebote (Seminare, Vorträge, Workshops, Konferenzen und Ausstellungen zu unterschiedlichen kinderbezogenen Themen)
· Handwerks- und Kunstkurse
· Qualifizierung von Kindergärtner/innen
· Musikkurse
· Kunsterziehung
· Vorbereitungskurse fűr junge Betreuer im Alter von 14-18 Jahren
· Qualifizierung von Fűhrungspersonen fűr das Sommercamp
· Puppentheater

· Computerspiele

· Festivals

· Ausstellungen

Zukunftspläne und Projekte

· Die Aktivitäten des Zentrums zielen auf die Entwicklung von kindlichen Fähigkeiten durch wachsende Bedűrfnisse und Wűnsche von Kindern. Das Zentrum hat folgende Zukunftspläne und -projekte:
· Erneuerung der Computer (8 Rechner) und Erhöhung der Anzahl der verfűgbaren Computer im Zentrum.
· Erweiterung der Bibliothek, die mit verschiedenen Bűchern und Geschichten fűr Kinder ausgestattet ist.
· Verbesserung des Musikbereiches: Anschaffung von mehr Musikinstrumenten und Erneuerung der zur Verfűgung stehenden Instrumente.
· Verbindung des Zentrums mit dem Internet.
· Austauschprogramme fűr Kinder mit anderen Ländern.
· Erhöhung der Zahl der Aktivitäten im Zentrum.

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Mit Empfehlungen des P.C.A.C / Hebron

Palestine in the eyes of its children

2006-11-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

Palestine in the eyes of its children
Fourteen-year-old students at the Amman National School were asked to write about Palestine. Although teachers advised these students, they wrote without any adult interference. This is what they came up with:
Palestine in the eyes of its childrenFarah, 14yrs.
The people in Palestine live in a state of fear because of Israeli aggression. Before the occupation, Palestine was paradise compared to other countries. It has a place for all religions. Palestine stayed a heaven until the Zionist aggression, which attacked the people and the beautiful land. The children live in continuous fear. In spite of that you always see them rebel and give their lives for their country.Isn’t it the Palestinian child’s right to live an innocent life like the rest of the children of the world, and to give them the freedom to live their childhood instead of fear? Every day lots of innocent children, men and women are being killed while defending themselves against the Zionist bullets. If a Zionist soldier is killed, or a Zionist citizen, it becomes a problem all over the world.But the blood of an innocent Palestinian child nobody cares.If people would look at what’s happening around them they will feel how strong and courageous they are. We cannot imagine the idea of the children and people of Palestine fighting with stones while the Israeli soldiers fight with live bullets. And in spite of all that they (Palestinians) don’t give up their rights.
Maybe one day the Arab nation will wake up and fight the Zionist aggression and bring back Palestine, the haven that it was back to its people, so that the blood of the martyrs does not go in vain. The Palestinian land will always stay pure even if the enemy tries to desecrate the Holy Land. This is not going to stay a dream the time has come when Palestine will be brought back to its people.
Palestine in the eyes of its childrenMuna, 13 yrs
On a sunny beautiful day during the summer holiday I went with my family to visit the Dead Sea in the Jordan valley. I sat with my family and had a wonderful time. When the sun went down I was watching it. I looked at the other side of the Dead Sea. I remembered Palestine and the days of wars and how they suffered because it was destroyed and Israel came in.
I had a very, very strange feeling for this land. I saw this land that was seized by the Zionists. My tears came down for this Holy Land. That every Arab should fight for it with his soul and blood and should be liberated from the hands of Zionism so that the children, women and old people live in peace instead of the harsh life they live under occupation.
We should unite because with unity we have strength. All the Arab nations should stand with one hand and get back the dome of the rock and where Jesus, the son of Mary, was born until we all become one Arab unity and stand together for our challenges which are facing our nations.
Palestine in the eyes of its childrenAli 13 yrs
I am a Jordanian child. I never lived in Palestine but my point of view is very important in my dreams and aspirations. The world is like a wheat field, every country is one wheat. We find the first world harvested with green wheat, bright and beautiful for the eyes. But the third world, most of its wheat has withered. This is Palestine. The Zionists stepped on it, destroyed the houses, killed the innocent. This clean, shiny soil became black, covered with blood and injustice.
The world is empty of justice and humanity and is full with injustice and selfishness. The Zionists cannot feel and think of the Arab children who lost the most important thing they own, which is their lives. Isn’t it logical that the soldier should feel sorry for the child? There is no meaning for that, this evil should stop. We should take our rights to live in stability and enjoy a decent life. We should take this white rose which is our right. This rose should not be plucked and planted in others’ lands.
Palestine in the eyes of its childrenKhaled 14yrs
I sat down drinking my cup of coffee in the morning trying to read the daily paper looking for good news, hoping that one day I’ll find it. But nothing new. Nothing new in the peace processes. Somebody went for the peace process but immediately after such news, we read about suicidal incidents to defend between two countries which have peace between them.
When I remember Palestine, which never goes from our minds, and we remember the sufferings which the Zionists and their terrorists have done, shooting at people praying in the morning, killing a child whose defending himself with a stone on a Zionist soldier who was insulting the people (children of the stones) praying in front of the mosque. Children in their youth each one carrying their stone, waiting for the right moment to throw it on his enemy. A very sad site which never ends of killing and taking the rights of the civilians. When are we going to have peace which all the people of the world think of so that the situation will be controlled and the fighting will stop? When are we going to have Palestine back? It will never come back except by force and surprise, exactly the way they took it. We remember the freedom fighters that with their blood irrigated the land. Those who gave their life, fighting for their country. We’re going to get it back from the Zionists one day.
Palestine in the eyes of its childrenNada 14yrs
There are lots of people who live a decent life, a life full of happiness and joy. While the Palestinian people live a life that is full of sadness and homelessness which is empty from joy and happiness. These people were kicked out from their country. Their houses, their lands were taken. Children became orphans. Their lives turned into hell. From this day that every Arab person should remember, the Intifada, where thousands of martyrs fell, defending their country with the simplest weapon, a stone.
Meanwhile every Israeli soldier has weapons and grenades. With his weapons, grenades, and ruthlessness in his heart. Will this tragedy keep going on and on? We are the losers with the number of our martyrs and the number of children, orphans, and homeless. There should be a solution for this problem, which is the problem of every Arab human being. Lets look at the beauty of Palestine before the war, the fertile land that used to give a lot but now it gives nothing. Nothing is left from it.
They build settlements on the land and prisons. This land was destroyed after the occupation. Nothing was left from it. That’s why Palestine should go back as it was, Palestine should go back to its people, now the Palestinian situation and its people does not make anybody happy. Palestine should go back to its people so that it will be back, the land of peace without violence or war. I am sure that it will go back and justice will prevail.
Palestine in the eyes of its childrenRawan 14yrs
“Today two children were killed by a stray bullet from the Israeli soldiers trying to stop children throwing stones,” said the broadcaster on the TV. I did not believe myself when I heard the news. I said to myself what is the guilt of the children? They have the right like every other child living on this globe. They have the right to be happy, to live in peace in their houses.
Now they can’t live in peace. They live in fear of the enemy’s bullets, who occupied their land. Palestine is a green country overlooking the Mediterranean. It has its religious status, it has Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and lots of the important religious places. Jerusalem has the Dome of the Rock, it’s the third holiest mosque, it was the first direction of prayer (Kibla). Bethlehem is where Jesus was born, may god bring peace on him.
It’s not strange that the Zionist enemy chose it to be his new home. They sunk their feet in its holy soil killed everybody who came in their way without thinking of age. Martyrs fell one after another, irrigating their land with their clean blood. Up to now people are still falling like martyrs for the sake of their land hoping that the sun will shine again on their country and it will, god willing when we unite to save Palestine.
Palestine in the eyes of its childrenYanal 14yrs
When I hear about the children of the stones lots of ideas come to mind… innocence, patriotism, loyalty- stolen childhood- stolen land.
I felt very sad when I saw the sight of these children that did not live their happy and lively childhood. Some of them lost either a mother a father or a brother or a sister or parts of their limbs. They woke up with questions on their mind. What is freedom? Where is my country? Nobody answered these two questions for them. They used to face the arms with stones, love with hatred, bitterness with forgiveness, hope with despair. They know they will not succeed but there is courage, hope and whatever happens this is their country… their homes, country and nation.
Every once in a while they hold in their right hand a stone and in their left hand hope. And in their dreams they dream that the sun of freedom and peace will come one morning. They dream of the white pigeons of peace will fly over their houses which will hear their screams and shouts.
But me, every time I sit down alone and my eyes are closed I hear a scream that should be heard all over the world, a scream hoping for an answer. A scream for peace and freedom.

Letters from Hebron children to their Norwegian peers

2006-11-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

Letters from Hebron children to their Norwegian peers

http://www.festspillnn.no/

Summer 2000, was a memorable, unforgettable summer. It was a n amazing experience to know how the children of Norway live.Smiles were drawn on our lips and we learn the meaning of the summer wind and how can it bring with it the message of peace and love. All of these was in the International Children Festival in Hasht in Norway.
We came back with new and fresh spirits and future outlooks. To a future of better life for the children of Palestine.. But, Unfortunately the unbelievable has happened and the catastrophe has come…. We did not believe that horrible days are waiting for us. Siege, confiscation, children killing, building destruction, trees uprooting, shooting, shelling, All of this and other ways of destruction is happening with the absence of the world conscience.
The below letters are written by girls from Hebron who visited Norway last year .They are not allowed to visit again this year because of the transportation restriction and the siege imposed on the Palestinian areas.
First Letter: Ayah Bader age:15
To my friends.. The Norwegian children. And friends: Trilza,,Sirza,Tourl,Yana,Eline,Renhil,Maria,Brigta,Antonitta, and Edna, Greetings to you all from Hebron city, the city closest to the holy city of Jerusalem Hebron, the city of prophets.
These days I feel that my life is threatened at every moment feel release every day that I am still alive, go to the school, depressed. .Yes but at least still alive.
Yes I still remember the nice, beautiful days I spent in Norway days of librety, ,life, and freedom and over more…. Hope.
I send to all my greetings and hope that the voice of mind and reason be stronger than the voice of violence and killing.
With love
Ayah
Second letter: Rabab Naser eldeen age 15
Rabab tried to write to her friends in Norway more than once but she could not because of our situation.
After that: She writes:
“ I could not believe what is happening to us here. it is terrible. How can I believe the killing of the children,the uprooting of the trees, the demolition of houses, how a woman give birth at the check point., how can we partners with the Israelis and they kill our children in front of us.
Let me tell you that killing children will not bring peace … I still remember Hashta and all the friends… remember us
Third letter Raghda Sarsour
I do not know how can we solve this problem.. it is a big problem the voice of the bullets and tanks. It must stop … so to the bird to fly in the sky to hear its voice… let this nightmare go away for good.
Can the infant be killed?
Can we prevent him/her from the milk?
Can the children be imprisoned?
Can the children be killed at his father’s lab?
Why can not we live our childhood?
Fourth letter: Maisa’ Al-Karaki
I do not know what to write…and how to express my feeling
Does anybody feel like me? Who can let us out from this long dark night?When can we feel the freedom like the other children of the world?
Fifth letter:Ayah Abu Mayyaleh
My dear friend at Norway,
I would to ask you a question: If you have a land that you own, plan and work on it everyday and enjoy the music of the birds and the smell of the orange trees.and then in a moment an other person, an ailient came and kick you out by force Will you leave the land for him and go away?
Sixth letter: Isra’ Al Ja’bari
In your opinion what must be the feeling of a15 year old girl who wake up on the voices of the shooting .How is my feeling when I see on the TVs how homes are demolished and how the mother see their children buried.
What is the meaning of terrorism?
Seventh letter:
We fear the nights, the days, from death .I want to die like my grandmother at home.
We want to play, to escape from the reality and to enjoy our time.
Eighths letter: Bayan Bali
Well, I am still alive. I would like to send to you some flowers and tell you some thing about the situation in Palestine live under a siege imposed by the Israelis .We can not move from city to city or from village to village.
When can we live without killing?
When can we live like humans?
When will they leave the son to shine?
Why do they steal the smiles of the children?
Why do they cut the flowers?
Why do not we love the life and declare our hate to death.
Ninth letter: Ayat Al-Ja’bari
No body listen to the children’s voice.No body believes that a child confront a tank!
Why do not we light a candle of love among us all, the children of the world?
Why do not we light the way of the killers to convince them not to kill us.
Why do not we love each other?
You old people,Leave us a lone live in peace. . I know your problems will never come into end.
Tenth letter:
All our days go in vain, full with sadness and no pulse. The rhythm is always melancholic and the dances are full with fear.
We still remember you and your tranquil city and how we fish in the see…
Is it the last time? I hope not!.

PEACE FOR THE CHILDREN OF PALESTINE

2006-11-25T06:59:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the mouths of the children of Palestine

2006-11-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

Dearest friend

Greetings from the holiest place in this part of the world……
Greetings from the mouths of the children of Palestine…..
Greetings from the most tensest place in the world……..
I would like to thank you from the heart of the heart of all the children of Hebron and Palestine and from the friends and staff of the Palestine Child’s Arts Centre..
We are still alive, physically, Although we are under curfew, siege, bloodshed, difficult economic situation …But our children are still drawing…..They are drawing the image of the sun…but with red colour…. They still draw the unknown future …but with black colur ,and the nightmare of Muhammad Durrah is still accompanying them in their beds.
They still play….but with bullet covers and the remains of the bombing of their houses..
They no longer climb the olive trees because the Israeli bulldozers have uprooted them….
They still smile….but with fear……they smile because they see life from a humanitarian point of view. They are still kids and do not understand the brutality of life.They ask me once, with innocent faces,Why did they kill Muhammad Durra??My lips were unable to utter any letter!!!
They still believe that they are the children of the world…. Their problems are that they are Palestinians…. But they do not understand the ethnic differences,they do not understand the religious fundamentalism…. They do not understand the meaning of occupation. They want to feel free to feel “ the child of the world”
It is still early for them to suffer from the brutality of occupation and of the other “ human beings”
They still believe in the “Dream”, the dream to see their fathers strong and not beaten by others…. They can not accept the reality…. They want a symbol…… they want to bethe children of the world.
Have they lost hope in peace .Do they know anything rather than peace. How can we ,the adults explain to them…?????? why are they killing their friends and schoolmates?
It is the DREAM….. it is the DREAM……. That will come to reality.

Dear Friends :Write to you on behalf of palestinian children living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

2006-11-25T06:36:00.000-08:00

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