Media Projects

The boys at the Arab Institute have just started working on media projects. The class has been split off into two groups and they have free reign over what they would like to produce. I'm (Max) working with one group and Rob (the other volunteer) is working with the other group. 

Both groups have chosen to focus on the Israeli occupation and my group have decided on the format of a news channel. They have also designed artwork to convey their messages and prepared information to talk about.

This week at the Arab Institute, the students wrote letters to children in England about their lives in Palestine. At the end of their letters they were told to ask a question to people in England. This group of students is very engaged and have so much to say, and as we've been working on their spoken English mainly during the classes, it was now a chance for them to demonstrate their writing skills.

15 year-old Yazan wrote in-depth about the problems that the Israeli occupation causes - from everything to travel restrictions to the everyday killing of Palestinians. His question was: "What do you think of Israel?" which is a question that is rarely asked. It would be very interesting to see how children in England would answer this.

Saleh poured his heart out in his letter and wrote: "I love my country and I may die for it." It would be interesting to see how pupils in London would perceive this and if they understand why Saleh is so passionate about his country.

Saleh

However, the letters weren't all full of doom and gloom. Yousef wrote about his love of England and British people. He wishes to study at university there and I hope his dreams come true.

Yousef

My favourite line was from Zain, 15, who wants people in England to change their visions of Palestinians. He wrote: "We want you to know that what happens in Palestine isn't a fight between two equal parties. It's a fight between an occupier and the oppressed." Such insightful, intelligent words from a young man. Reading these letters was quite inspirational. 

Over the past few weeks, 12 students from the ninth grade of the Arab Institute have been engaged in forms of cultural exchange between Britain and Palestine.

We have been giving talks about life in Britain and asking them what they already know about our culture. The students have also been giving their own presentations about life in Palestine and we have all been learning about different cultures together.

Topics that have been discussed include: British and Palestinian traditions, landmarks, sport, food, religion and entertainment.

Below is fourteen-year-old Mohammad, who gave an insightful presentation about Palestinian marriages and the elements involved in the celebration. He talked about the importance of marriage customs, food and dancing (particularly Palestinian dabke).

Anas and Saleh from the Arab Institute visit Camden

In early October,  school students from Abu Dis Boys' School and from the Arab Institute were part of a CADFA group of visitors to London and the north of England.  It was a great visit for them and for us in London. 

Their project blog is HERE.

As part of their visit they went to schools and youth clubs. This is a picture of them and school students at a school in Pendle, Lancashire.

In Camden, they met many young people and several students from LSU took part in the visit.  

Their visit included 

a lunchtime visit to LSU!

and an assembly at Camden School for Girls. The young people made a presentation about their lives in Palestine. After that they had a tour of the school and were really impressed.