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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| International Voluntary Workcamps/Palestine. |
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| Saffiyah |
| 01/24/03 at 10:32:05 |
| International Voluntary Workcamps/Palestine. Workcamp 05: 10th -31st July 2003 Workcamp 06: 10th -31st August 2003 PLEASE NOTE: 1. All details below, please read through carefully. 2. Interested individuals will go across on their own and having made their own arrangements. We will assist by confirming place and provide other assistance by advising means of travel etc. 3. Please apply early to confirm place as this workcamp has restricted places. -- An-Najah National University Nablus, Palestine Invitation: International Voluntary Workcamp A youth initiative for Palestine SHABAB Reconstruction Project ZAJEL Youth Exchange Program /Public Relations Department/An Najah University/ Nablus Service Civil International/ German Branch The Project statement We have chosen workcamps as the tool to implement the identified objectives. A workcamp is considered to be a place where people of all races, ideologies, and nationalities live and work together on a project organized by a local sponsor for two or three weeks. Workcamps generally have 10 to 20 participants, who volunteer, socialize and work with the local people. The message of workcamps is to promote equality in living (all work camp members live by local standards) and internal decision making, problem solving, developing a sense of group identity and seeking to increase tolerance. The vision The vision of SHABAB reconstruction project is to contribute to the sustainable development of the Palestinian youth by addressing their needs. Therefore, we, ZAJEL Youth Exchange Program and SCI-Germany, work united: -to assist in the reconstruction of youth institutions through joint voluntary work of Palestinian and international youth; -to initiate intercultural learning between the different cultures in order to promote understanding and respect between the youth of the Oriental and Occidental culture; -to dismantle and minimize prejudices and misperceptions about the different cultures through workshops on history, society, religion and cultural activities; -to influence the local community in its most diverse spheres, such as environmental protection, education, health, and promotion of peace; -to raise awareness about the situation of Palestinian youth and their environment; Objectives The project aims to contribute to the reconstruction of youth in Nablus by organizing international Workcamps in summer 2003. Therefore the joint initiative of the ZAJEL Youth Exchange Program and SCI-Germany wants to achieve: A) For the Palestinian youth and their organizations: -to support the reconstruction of youth institutions and their facilities for education, skills development and emotional release; -to empower Palestinian youth with open mind, respect and mutual understanding for the Western society and their habits by experiencing intercultural exchange; B) For the international volunteers: -to participate actively in the reconstruction of youth institutions assisting Palestinian volunteers and the local community; -to empower the youth from the Western countries with open mind, mutual understanding and respect for the Palestinian youth and their Oriental society by experiencing intercultural exchange; C) For the youth institution: -to assist in the reconstruction of the youth institutions; -to provide the youth institutions with more possible activities run by a group of local and international volunteers; -to experience intercultural learning in their local community. Project description The overall aim of the proposed project is to support the development of youth in Palestine. Delineated within this broader goal are two specific objectives: 1) to reconstruct the IBAL Sports Club in the Old City of Nablus; and 2) to empower local and international youth to respect and understand different cultural backgrounds. 1. Target group Therefore, ZAJEL Youth Exchange Program and SCI-Germany identified the following target groups for the SHABAB project: A) For the Workcamps Young men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 from different social backgrounds: students, workers and unemployed, from the local community of Nablus and from abroad participate in the Workcamps. This includes a balanced distribution of gender. B) For the activities of the Workcamps The activities of the Workcamps target children and young people between the ages of 6 to 26. 2. Description of the Working place The IBAL Sports Club is located in the Old City of Nablus. During the invasion in April 2002 the Israeli military entered several times the club. They were trying to make a path to the neighbor building. Thus, most of the walls and the floor were demolished. Windows were destroyed, electricity and water were cut off, stairs and doors were damaged. Fortunately, most of the equipment was removed before the invasion. Only the abandoned equipment was destroyed . 3. Project activities To continue with the renovation endeavors, ZAJEL Youth Exchange Program and SCI-Germany organize two international Workcamps for the following dates: Workcamp 05 : 10th -31st July 2003 Workcamp 06 : 10th -31st August 2003 The number of participants desired is about 30: 15 international and 15 local volunteers. We intend to have gender balanced workcamps. Two specially trained volunteers; a female international and one male local volunteer function as Campleaders. The Workcamps consist of a working part and a study part, as well as leisure time. A) Working part For the working part the project partners have decided to reconstruct the rooms of IBAL Sports Club in the Old City of Nablus. In the first step of the renovations for the volunteers is to clean the rooms. Professional workers assist the volunteers preparing the floor and the walls. Afterwards the walls are painted. The work is considered for 4 to 5 hours, 5 days a week. The final decision about the working place is made in consideration of the current situation in Nablus. Therefore we, the project partners, have already developed an alternative plan for the working place. B) Studying part The studying part of the Workcamps is held in form of workshops and other cultural activities. The workshops are closely related to the interests and needs of the local youth of the youth institutions. There are lectures about history, religion, gender roles, refugees, and youth itself which provide an insight into the different cultures. To create interaction the workshops include various role plays. Furthermore, the group visits local community associations for women and youth, cultural clubs and forums to have some activities with them. During the weekends the activities of Workcamps focus on cultural activities. On the first weekend the program for the group consists of trips to historical places in the surroundings of Nablus. On the second weekend the families of the local volunteers host the international volunteers. The expected outcome of the workshops and the renovation work itself is a public event in form of a street festival with an art gallery and sports activities. The volunteers and the locals prepare these cultural activities during the Workcamps. Costs: Volunteers have to afford their flights tickets, and we are working hard to get some donations for the European volunteers accommodation, which is $150. while the non EU volunteers have to afford both their flight ticket and their accommodation’s fees. If you would like to join us, dont hesitate to fill the application form and send it back: Application Form I want to apply for the Workcamp: (please mark) Zajel Workcamp 12: 10-31 July 2003 Zajel Workcamp 13: 10-31 August 2003 Name ____________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________ E-mail ______________________________________________ Nationality_____________________ Date of Birth ___________ Sex ______________________ Emergency Contact Name____________________________ Telephone: (day):______________________(night________________ What is your motivation for participating in this work camp? ____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Remarks on Health /Special Needs /Diet ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Have you ever done voluntary work before? (if yes ,please explain) __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ************************************************************************ *********** SAFETY and Other Issues As a foreigner with a passport, passing though Jordan’s Amman, or Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airports, all visitors may be questioned minimally and allowed to pass But because of the current situation in the region, we recommend that you fly into Jordan's Amman Airport. There you will be met at the airport by a representative of An-Najah's Liaison office in Jordan where you will be accompanied to the Israeli border, for you to continue your destination. In this way, you avoid having to go to either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Traveling cost and time are similar to arriving in Ben Gurion Airport, but the Jordan route is safer since you will pass through the Jordan Valley where there are fewer settlements, with less potential for contact with Israelis. Health, safety, and security risks are an unavoidable part of life and of Volunteer service. Service does involve certain risks, including road accidents, natural disasters, crime and civil unrest. Everything possible is being done to eliminate all risks associated with Volunteers' service overseas. This is surely an exciting time, and we want your expectations to be as realistic as possible. However, there are many variables beyond the agency's control that impact Volunteers' welfare Being a Volunteer requires changes in lifestyle preferences and habits in deference to host country cultural expectations. Choices in dress, living arrangements, and means of travel, entertainment, and companionship may have a direct impact on how Volunteers are viewed, and thus treated. Navigating the differences in gender relations may be one of the most sensitive and difficult lessons to learn. Build respectful relationships with those in the local community. Safety is, for the most part, best assured when they are well integrated into the local community, valued and protected as extended family members, and viewed as contributors to development. Our Policy requires that Volunteers report their proposed plans if they travel away from any City or their place of residence. Access to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services, communication, transportation, and local markets, living arrangements are available. It is necessary to ensure that Volunteers relations can be contacted in case of emergency. If a situation arises that poses a potential threat to Volunteers, Zajel will immediately assess the nature of the threat and respond in a manner that ensures the Volunteers' safety and well being. Volunteers will have full access in receiving phone calls immediately from relatives, overseas. Every staff member at Zajel Youth Exchange is committed to provide Volunteers with the support they need tk successfully meet the challenges they will face to have a safe, healthy, and productive service. We hope that the information provided here will help you gain a sense of these challenges, the changes in attitude and lifestyle that may be required to adapt to a new environment and the level of support that can be expected from Youth Exchange, local colleagues, and host communities. The success of each Youth Exchange Volunteer is our goal. We rely on Volunteers to exercise personal responsibility, demonstrate a keen awareness of the world around them, and a willingness to adjust their behavior in a manner that will enhance their safety and well-being. In the end their efforts will be rewarded with an incredible, unique experience. We will be working in the Old City of Nablus, where people used to move freely in most times, even hard times, so, you will be far away from the hot zones. We will also cooperate with our project partners; the UPMRC, United Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, which normally move freely during hard times, which will help us to run our workcamps in most times, so you will in safe hands in between your new friends. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Friends of Al Aqsa is a voluntary organisation concerned with the defence of Al Aqsa Haram Sharif and the protection of Palestinian Human Rights. www.aqsa.org.uk Contact: P.O. Box 5127, Leicester. LE2 0WU. England. Tel 077 11 823 524 Fax ++ 44 [116] 253 7575 |
| Re: International Voluntary Workcamps/Palestine. |
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| Alkhansaa |
| 02/19/03 at 16:59:09 |
| Two questions: IS the 30 year a maximum no revisions? Also, I feel it is a waste of time just painting walls when there are some in Palestine in desperate need of relief. Does anyone have an idea of international relief work in that area? and how to apply? |
| Re: International Voluntary Workcamps/Palestine. |
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| Saffiyah |
| 02/20/03 at 19:46:05 |
| 1) I would suggest contacting the organisation from their website and asking them about the age thing. 2) all i know of are international charities who do a lot of relief work. am not sure in regards to volunteers |
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