Activities of Alrowwad Cultural and Theatre Training Center during the period December 15th, 2004 to March 15th, 2005

Activities of Alrowwad Cultural and Theatre Training Center during the period December 15th, 2004 to March 15th, 2005

Prepared By: Ibrahim Abusrour
Edited by: Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour
Translated by: Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour

December-04
1. Workshops with the team of Alrowwad on the right of return for Palestinian refugees and UN resolutions 181 and 194. Badil center contributed by 1200 NIS for this training.

2. Starting Dance workshops with children for 3 months with a French volunteer.

January-05
1. Jan, 1st, 2005: Distribution of gifts on 37 children in Aida camp in Alrowwad center, on the occasion of the new year. Gifts were donated by the Palestinians living in Chili, Aida camp popular committee and Alrowwad center.

2. Jan, 5th: Meeting with the Association Defence Children International (DCI), in presence of Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour (Alrowwad director) and Ibrahim Abusrour, and from DCI, the director Hisham Khalil and Mohammad Awad. The meeting had for purpose to introduce each association to the other, and to discuss possibilities of future collaborations between the two associations.

3. Jan, 8th: Meeting with Norwegian auditor n the activities of Children cultural center in Bethlehem, Nora Angdal.

4. Jan, 6-12th : Continuing Theatre workshops collaboration with A. Dreams Association- Rohi Ayadi: Second workshop in Nazareth.

5. Jan, 8th: Meeting with the sociology specialist Ms. Nihad Alhanash from the Red Crescent, and put in place training workshops for Women (mothers) in the camp on how top deal with their families, children, stress and crisis (2 hours weekly).

6. Jan 8th: 2 weeks theatre training workshops in French by Maud, a French volunteer.

7. Jan, 9th: A meeting with an Italian delegation, headed by the music teacher in Italy, Francisco Safiro. The delegation was introduced to the activities of Alrowwad Center, and were taken in a tour in the camp, and observed the effect of the separation wall on the social and economic life of the population in the camp, and the reflect of that on the children. An agreement was made to put in place a mail exchange between Alrowwad children and the children of an Italian school in Rome.

8. Jan, 10th: Meeting with the Psychoanalyst Charlie Zeidan, and agreement to organize workshops on the rights of children for children 10-12 years old, twice a week for 2 months in Alrowwad center.

9. Jan, 14th: A good bye party to Mary-Anne, a Swiss volunteer who taught English and French in Alrowwad.

10. Jan, 14th: A good bye party to Mary-Anne, a Swiss volunteer who taught English and French in Alrowwad.

11. Jan, 14th: Meeting with 3 volunteers from Churches unions. They were introduced to the activities of the center, and an agreement was made to have a volunteer to teach English twice a week. A discussion also was about opening channels of cooperation between Alrowwad and one of the theatre schools in England, and work on a cultural exchange with one of the british institutes.

12. Jan, 18th: A celebration with the children of the camp, on the occasion of Al-Adha Feast. The celebration included music playing and artistic performances, as well as gifts distribution by Aida popular committee and Alrowwad center.

13. Jan, 18th: A social visit to one of Alrowwad volunteers after a surgery (Mohamad Awwad).

14. Jan, 19th: A meeting with an American delegation from the Lutheran church, introducing Alrowwad center, and tour in Aida camp.

15. Jan, 23rd: A visit of the Friends of Alrowwad from France. The delegation have visited some of the prisoners families, to demonstrate solidarity with these families. A summary of latest activities in Alrowwad was presented as well as future plans, and finalization of the purchase of a house in the camp for Alrowwad, with large contributions from our French friends.

16. Jan, 24th: Visits with the French delegation to the DCI, Hanzala Center in Beit Jibrin camp, the Church of the Nativity, as well as a visit to the embroidery women team in Aida and Beit Jibrin camps.

17. Jan, 24th: Visit of 14 members of the Lutheran church to the camp and the center.

18. Jan, 28th: A meeting with DCI movement, and an agreement to exchange information about the Israeli army violations of human and children rights during arrests, and construction of the separation wall.

February-05
1. Feb, 3rd: Celebration and dinner on the honor of 2 friends of Alrowwad, Abdallah Allaham, UNDP employee, who is leaving the country to Jordan, and Ziad Shreia, for their commitment to Alrowwad center.

2. Feb, 4th: Participation by activity upon invitation with the DCI in the YMCA in Beit Sahour, among 15 other institutions in Bethlehem area… Theatre sketches, art and painting workshops were included.

3. Feb, 4th: Attending a performance of a theatre play in the French Cultural center in Jerusalem by 5 children accompanied by Saliha, our French teacher.

4. Feb, 4th: A puppet show in Dar Ennadwa, Bethlehem.

5. Feb, 8th:A meeting with the director of the governor's office in Bethlehem, help recruiting 2 volunteers for Alrowwad in the Emergency work program financed by the Palestinian Authority.

6. Feb, 15th: A meeting with the parents of the children selected for the tour in USA, next June-July.

7. Feb, 16th: Training workshops in Theatre decoration and puppets costumes twice a week for 4 months by Anwar and Ruth (Austrian volunteer).

8. Feb, 18th: A visit by Folklore heritage conservation center in Bethlehem to discuss possibilities of cooperation between the two centers.

9. Feb, 20th: Starting a training in Psychodrama, financed by the DCI, with the participation of 4 institutions in Bethlehem, Alrowwad included.

10. Feb, 23rd: A musical show for the children of the camp, in collaboration with Alkamandjati association, followed by a concert in Dar Ennadwa, Bethlehem. Our 8 children who started learning to play violin participated in these shows.

11. Feb, 26: A meeting with the DCO, Bethlehem, to discuss the possibility of obtaining permits to Jerusalem for the meeting in the American consulate for the visas. (Tour in USA)

12. Feb, 27th: Visit by the Executive Director of the High Institute of Music, Mr. Tony Jakaman. He was introduced to the activities of the center. An agreement was made on the organization of musical workshops and common projects among both institutions.

13. Feb, 28th: Meeting in the American consulate for visas applications interviews.

14. Feb, 28th: A farewell celebration on the honor of Saliha, who stayed for 6 months in Aida, teaching French to Alrowwad children, and girls school as well as other institutions.

March-05
1. Follow up of French and English classes for children and youth in Aida camp as well as in Aida girls basic school for 6 months (starting September 2004 and ended March 2005)

2. March 5-8th: Finalization of the purchase of the house in Aida for the new center, and opening an account for electricity and water.

3. March 4th: Starting music training in the Higher Institute of Music in Bethlehem, once a week for 4 months.

4. March 6th: Meeting with UNDP engineers in Bethlehem. Delivery of plans of construction for the new center which we hope to partly (1 or 2 floors) be financed by the UNDP through the KFW German project.

5. March 9th: Reception of 14 German visitors from the Lutheran Church, visit of the camp as well as Alrowwad center, and introducing them to centers' activities and the camp's life despite the Israeli army violations and the separation wall.

6. March 10th: Visit of Aida basic school, and delivery of letters from American children in Burlington, in the mail exchange program with Burlington, upon the initiative of Joe Metz and follow up of Alrowwad.

7. March 12th: Participation in the inauguration of the new building for the High Institute of Music in Bethlehem.

8. March 12th: A farewell celebration to one of our French volunteers.

9. March 13th: Visit to the camp's boys school for the letters exchange program. An agreement was made with the headmaster for English teaching classes in the center for the children of the school who needed that.

10. A meeting with Alro'ya institution, for future collaboration possibilities.

11. March 15th: A celebration party honoring Mr. Peter Hansen, the General UNRWA commissioner in Al Fenique Hall in Deheisha Camp. Dr. A. Abusrour presented a medal of honor in an Olive wood box in the name of Alrowwad and Aida camp for the courageous positions of Mr. Hansen during his mandate, searching justice for the Palestinian refugees.

Continuous programs
Training and workshops according to a set schedule in the center:
a. Theatre rehearsals for the troupe twice per week
b. Theatre training for the younger generation of children, twice per week.
c. Dance for the two groups of children, twice per week for each group.
d. Drawing and painting workshops for 10-15 years old, once/week
e. Drawing and painting workshops for 6-10 years old children, once/week.
f. Music practice on violin, 8 children, in collaboration with Alkamandjati professors, Mechele and Claudia, once per week.
g. Computer training for children and youth, daily.
h. Videos and documentary films once/week
i. Video filming workshops with funding participation from Hoping Foundation for the year 2005.


Evaluation of Activities

by: Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour

Partners and cofunders 2004-2005 :

Friends of Alrowwad-France: Purchase and building of new facility. Marketing of embroidery from the camp, different activities and projects and volunteers.

Nations Development Program (UNDP)
2.1. Employing Ibrahim Abusrour, in the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program for one year as a project coordinator and follow up.
2.2. Financing the building of one or 2 floors in the new center 2005

Hoping Foundation: Video filming project for the children of Alrowwad

Badil Center: Educational workshops and different activities.

Friends of Alrowwad-USA: Tour of performances, summer 2005 in USA. New building and different activities.

Popular committee in Aida: Volunteers work, programs of Job creation for the people in the camp.

UNRWA: Partial contribution to finance different workshops. Animation project financed by the Holy See.

Alkamandjati: Teaching violin, starting September 2004.

A. Dreams Association: Theatre workshops for children

Friends of Alrowwad-Belgium: Starting communications

The High Institute of Music-Bethlehem: Starting collaboration

DCI movement: Starting collaboration.

Dar Ennadwa: Invitation for theatre and concerts, free of charge or reduced prices.

Alrowwad would like to thank all the volunteers who passed in the center during 2004 and 2005 (till now) including: Jean Charles, Monya, Sebastien, Mohamad Awwad, Charlie Zeidan, Nihad ALhanash, Nadege, Frederic, Marie-Anne, Saliha, Maud, Margo, Wallace family, Rawan Barakat, volunteers from the Union of Churches…and all those who I might have forgotton.

Achievements and numbers of beneficiaries
Activities inside Alrowwad Center:

A. Languages:
1. French Language: 47 participants from both sexes benefited from these classes of basic formation in French.
2. English Language: 27 participants from both sexes.

B. Arts and Drama:
1. Drama in French: 10 children from both sexes.
2. Dance workshops: 15 participants from both sexes.
3. Theatre decoration workshops: 15 children

Gifts distribution:
1. Gifts distribution: 112 children from both sexes (from Alrowwad and 4 different kindergartens).
2. Eid-Al Adha Feast gifts: 42 children from both sexes.


Workshops in collaboration with other institutions:
a. Palestinian Red Crescent: Workshop on crisis management and dealing with families for mother, in collaboration with Red Crescent: 10 women.
b. YMCA : Children rights workshops: 15 children.
c. Higher Institute for Music: Music training for 11 children

Letters exchange program:
a. with Italian school (Angelo Celli): 32 children
b. with American schools in Burlington: 100 children

Job creation
1. Palestinian authority employment emergency program: 2 employees
2. UNDP – UNV : 1 employee

Beneficiaries of continuous programs:
Daily and weekly Programs: 144 participants

Guests and Visitors:
International and national visitors to the center: 69 visitors


Activities outside the center:
a. DCI activity with the participation of 15 institutions in Bethlehem district: 20 children
b. Dar Ennadwa : Theatre and music shows: 26 participants
c. Higher Institute of Music activity: 25 children
d. French cultural center in Jerusalem: film and theatre play: 5 children
e. Visit to Alquds (Jerusalem): 12 Children
f. A. Dreams theatre workshop in Nazareth: participation of 3 children
g. Alkamndjati musical workshop and concert: 50 children
UNDP: United Nations Development Program
UNV: United Nations Volunteers program
UNRWA: United Nations Releif and Welfare Agency
DCI: Defence Children International Mouvement

* Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour, Director of Alrowwad Center has been elected as destinguished volunteer in a celebration held in Ramallah upon the initiative of the association Sharek in partnership with the UNDP and ministries of Youth and Sport, and Woment affairs