Abu Dis teachers inCamden2008

abu dis trip to jericho

2009-04-15T01:41:00.000-07:00

photos from abu dis sec.boys school

2009-03-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

Jamila's nephew, Hamam

2009-02-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

Jamila wrote to us to thank everyone for their concern about him. And to give his news.

He is doing better than expected! He was seriously wounded with bullets in his brain but he seems to be determined to live! He has come out of a coma and started to move his left side. (His right side is still paralysed). He managed to write a message to his parents which translates into "I want to eat my mum's food" - which cheered people up and made them laugh or made them cry, whatever.

He was moved to a rehabilitation centre in Bethlehem, and so many of his family visited that they were all kicked out by the staff for making too much noise! And then they let him go home for a day...

He is still very ill and very disabled but he is doing much much better than his family thought.
If you want to write to him or send him messages, he and his family would appreciate it.

Late posting of some nice pics from the teachers' visit, Maria Fidelis

2009-01-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

2008-10-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

PLEASE ADD TO THE BLOG!!!

A message from Abu Dis

2008-10-19T09:45:00.000-07:00

To everyone at the birthday party on 18th October 2008

I want to thank you all for the efforts that you have been putting into Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association for the last four years.

People in Abu Dis – in fact people across Palestine but in particular lots of people in Abu Dis - are very pleased with what CADFA has been doing in these past four years. This is useful work in bringing attention to the Palestinian human rights situation under the Israeli occupation.

There are so many things that CADFA has done, too many to list. Really so many…

The first thing that jumps into my mind is the work that CADFA has done to shine a spotlight on Abu Dis, to put the name of our town on the map, so people know what is going on here.

This shines a light that is very important on the miseries that the people here have been going through since the Israeli occupation. CADFA has looked at what is happening now, and also what has happened in the past.

CADFA has done some work documenting the history of the occupation. I was pleased to be part of a project of gathering oral history from the time of the 1967 occupation (“The First Six Days”). This was really useful work, not only for telling our story to people internationally. People in Abu Dis itself learnt from it too.

We have done other things like this too in CADFA – the book “Voices from Abu Dis” collects stories from 1948 onwards. There are stories on the internet about our experiences, because CADFA listens to the voices of people from Abu Dis.

As for things going on now, CADFA is showing the world the pressures of the Israeli occupation on Abu Dis organisations such as the schools. When soldiers entered a school and beat the children, CADFA raised this internationally. We feel supported by CADFA’s activities such as prisoner adoption; and activities in Camden when people in Abu Dis have been killed, such as Shahadeh Mohsen two years ago and Maryam Ayyad last month. CADFA always does something.

Also important are the visits that CADFA have organised which take ordinary people from Abu Dis and give them a role in explaining internationally about the suffering of the Palestinian people. And the visits in the other direction which give us hope and establish links. And so many other things.

We are still suffering so much in Palestine, from the the expansion of settlements and from land expropriation and from all the Israeli violations - the checkpoints and the Wall – all the things that go along with the taking of the land. There is no sign at the moment of any political solution.

We need the world to take notice of this and to do something about it, and CADFA is playing a good role in this.

I also want to ask you to help CADFA in the future, because it needs your help. All this wonderful work that CADFA is doing, the best thing for it is to continue. So to make it continue, CADFA needs all the support it can for the coming period.

Sometimes because of what this organisation is doing, people think that this is a big organisation with huge and stable resources. Unfortunately it isn’t true. It is depending on the voluntary work of individuals who are working hard.

And it will only continue if people can manage to find solid help and support.
The important issue is to make this work sustainable.

I am asking all of you who are here to see what you can do to ensure that the organisation continues and put all of your efforts into helping it for the next 4 years or more…

From Abdul Wahab Sabbah, CADFA Abu Dis Co-ordinator

Saturday 18th October

2008-10-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

This morning all the Abu Dis teachers did different things with different friends in London, but we all met along with lots of other people at the CADFA BIRTHDAY PARTY - CADFA is now officially 4!

Many thanks to everyone who helped make it a really good party, including the dancers from Maria Fidelis, the musicians Les, Ros, Nancy and Tom and all those in Abu Dis who worked on the children's films that we saw for the first time today - The New Map of Abu Dis, and The Great Wall of Palestine...

** NOTE If you missed these films, they will be shown soon in Abu Dis and also on 20th November in a special showing for children's day, see www.camdenabudis.net for details! **

These are some photos from the event - but a lot of them didn't come out very well... Perhaps Fiona whose photos are always good, and who was seen there with her camera, will let us have some better ones?!

Also, separately, a message from Abu Dis.

Friday 17th October

2008-10-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today fell into four parts, all very different from each other...

(1) A morning workshop on using IT to keep in touch with each other - which meant lots of work on getting on to the blogs and making and leaving a mark there...

(2) A visit to Regent's Park and the Central Mosque, which all the visitors enjoyed very much

(3) A meal at Nandita's, and

(4) A visit to the theatre....

Thursday 16th October

2008-10-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning was another school day for most people, but Moein went to Westminster Kingsway College. At lunchtime there was a visit (by some of the teachers) to the NUT HQ to talk about education links with Palestine. And afterwards a very useful workshop looking at the differences between Camden and Abu Dis schools and also the possibilities of working together. I will type up the lists of ideas that people had, in due course; there are lots of good ones.

In the evening, a meal at Calthorpe included some lecturers and some others .... and gave a chance for a bit more discussion and some photos and presentations..

Abu Dis teachers in Camden

2008-10-17T03:23:00.000-07:00

Abu Dis teachers visit Camden to find out a bout schools in London and to make strengthen links between Camden and Abu Dis school.

Abu Dis Palestinian Teachers Visit to Camden Schools in London.

2008-10-17T02:38:00.000-07:00

Arab Institute School

Under the patronage of the Chair of CADFA Dr Nandita Dowson , Abu Dis Palestinian teachers held a meeting with the British Teachers Union at the Institute of Education. Palestinian Teachers talked about the difficulties that challenge the Learning & Teaching Process. At the end of the meeting , there was a very interesting discussion about how teachers exchange with each others the educational experiences.

Our Day Out - Sunday 12th October

2008-10-17T02:23:00.000-07:00

What a brilliant day! Today I met the teachers at the London Eye and we spent the day around the Southbank seeing all the tourist attractions. While I was waiting for everyone along the river I met Cristina for the first time and spoke to her about her amazing experiences as a volunteer in Abu Dis. It was nice to meet the people I had heard and read about in CADFA's many publications. I think one of the lovely things about being involved in this trip is meeting so many other people involved with CADFA.

As we were waiting I suddenly saw in the crowds a Palestinian flag being waved in the air. I thought to myself there cannot be too many of these being waved here today? Sure enough Anika was beneath it and doing a very impressive job as a tour guide!

Once we brought our tickets we queued (another British thing) for the London Eye and spent 45 minutes looking at the views along the Thames River and taking lots of photos. You will see lots of photographs of Moein, Abdullah, Nader, Jameela and Mehdiyeh with The Houses of Parliament and the Thames River in the background. I think Abdullah won the prize for taking the most photographs!

We were so lucky with the weather. There was much needed air conditioning in the capsule. The views were lovely and clear and it actually felt like the summer time rather than the middle of October! I think the teachers enjoyed the views judging by the numbers of photographs taken. It was nice to have clear skies as we were able to see St Pauls Cathedral and quite and long way along the Thames River.

Mehdiye wanted lots of photgraphs taken as she had her mobile phone and not a camera. So as promised here is a photograph especailly for you!

Once we were at the top of the London Eye it felt quite high up. It was good but a bit dizzying looking down at the Jubilee Gardens and all the heads of people looked like dots. I did look out for Andrianna or Cristina and the Palestinian flag but this time we were just too high up!

Later on after the London Eye we relaxed and had lunch in the park. I think this was a much needed break and a refuel before our boat tour along the River Thames.

After lunch we had a lovely trip along the river and had many more photograph opportunities. We saw lots of the famous sights, including The Houses of Parliament, The Globe, Tate Modern, The Millenium Bridge (wobbly bridge), The Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. We even managed to get a photograph with the captain of the boat!

After the boat we sat and enjoyed the sunshine while eating ice creams in the Jubliee Gardens.

Nader and Moein went with Sarah and Bob along to the British Film Institute and came back with a DVD of Hamlet! Mehdiyeh, Anika and I walked along the Southbank and watched all the street performers. We saw lots of human statues (including Mona Lisa) and a breakdancer who leaped over five young boys standing in a line!

At the end of the day Nandita came with her minibus/taxi to pick up the teachers and go to Isabella's for dinner. Overall, a really great day with brilliant company!

2008-10-17T02:17:00.000-07:00

2008-10-17T02:15:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 15th October

2008-10-16T02:24:00.000-07:00

Another day of school visits, and another day of Palestinian teachers coming out of schools and saying what an interesting time they had had.

Then we went to the British Museum, too briefly - and of course the question "Why is all this stuff HERE?" - and had a meal with some SOAS students, before the public meeting on Education in Palestine which gave everyone the chance to speak and for a discussion on lots of aspects of education and the occupation.

One of many stories. Mehdieh remembers a horrible accident at her school when a child had his finger caught in the door, and in fact the finger was cut - Mehdieh had to put it in a plastic cup and rush with the child to hospital. But at the checkpoint in the Wall, Israeli soldiers stopped her, emergency or not. Because she has a West Bank identity, she was not allowed to go through, and the child was delayed in getting to hospital until they could find someone with a Jerusalem ID who was allowed to go to the hospital with the child.

Teachers' meal in Camden Town

2008-10-16T02:12:00.000-07:00

A FOURTH pair of school twins?

2008-10-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

(This is what it seems like, after another good day....
Details to follow)

It was great seeing the Palestinian teachers after they had come out of school today - They each had such a good time, it seems, and I am going to leave it to them to write about it (if they can find a second)

Then Primrose Hill and the teachers' meal... It is grey now, though not cold for a London October, but it is being a very good time.

More Monday 13th October

2008-10-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Crowndale Centre, British Library, SCCS, including Nader (technology teacher from UNWRA school Abu Dis) in a technology class... And Jameeleh and Mahdiyeh taking over the cooking...

More Sunday 12th October

2008-10-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

Three pictures from Sunday - a group photos after the London Eye/ boat trip/ South Bank day, before the trip to Jane and Rod's... a picture called "mamnouh tadkheen" (Abdullah is preoccupied with finding places he is allowed to smoke - the van isn't one of them...) ... a blurry one of London at night, which everyone loved

Monday 13th October

2008-10-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

It's been so busy that people have started to do this and not finished... this is so we remember. I hope others will write it their way later.

A good but serious day - first day in schools. A meeting at Camden Children, Schools and Families dept that told people about how schools work in Camden (thanks, David) and then a really good visit to the British Library (thanks Rob and friends).

A tour of SCCS with a number of high points - the first English classroom - a lovely technology class - Najoua's Spanish class - and people beginning to realise how very different the schools here and in Palestine are - and the size of these massive comprehensive schools... A meeting with a number of Maria Fidelis teachers which was great, people were interested and keen to meet each other... A meal with Isabella... And a long, long drive getting everyone back home again....

Sunday 12th October

2008-10-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

At half past nine, Annika, an English teacher, came and collected us from Anna's house. Then we took a bus to Hampstead Heath. We had a very wonderful walk there. We stayed there for two hours and then we had to leave. We took a bus again and we went to the London Eye. We had a nice flight on the London Eye overlooking all of London, most of London's buildings. We took pictures there; we enjoyed the time very much. Luckily we had fine weather, sunny and warm. We had to take off the heavy clothes that Nandita told us to bring. (!)

Then we had a very wonderful trip on the boat. We saw many famous and important place such as Globe Theatre. We saw Big Ben and big galleries. It was a circular boat trip.

We had the chance to meet wonderful people from Camden. When we had finished there, we took a bus again (Nandita's car!) and we had supper with Jane and Rod. It was very nice and delicious and tasty. Although it is different from Palestinian food, it is good. And we had discussions with each other around the table.

Jameeleh

Sunshine!

2008-10-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

Well, our visitors have brought the sunshine with them... What a beautiful day! This morning, Hampstead Heath, though it was a bit misty over London to get a good view from Parliament Hill. Everything else lovely...

Evening at Mike's

2008-10-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

Una looking at the booklet about the visit.... Group photo of the visitors, Jameela, Mahdiyeh, Nader, Moein and Abdullah ... Mehdiye with some of the hosts, but not Mike and Frances to whom thank you for a nice evening...

Welcome to London

2008-10-11T14:36:00.001-07:00

It was a long day for the visitors - from Amman to Heathrow and from Heathrow to London...

Welcome! and events...

2008-10-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

The Abu Dis teachers will be arriving in Camden tomorrow Saturday!

Welcome to them and also to encourage people to come to our events while they are here - come and meet them! Please see the information about all of these events on www.camdenabudis.net

** Lebanese meal for teachers – Parkway - Tuesday evening – £15
Pls ring or email to book **

“Education in Palestine” meeting at the Institute of Education, 7-8.30 pm on Wednesday evening

Teachers’ workshops on making and maintaining the links between Camden and Abu Dis:
Thursday afternoon 1.30 to 3.30 pm at Crowndale Centre, and
Friday morning (IT focus) 9.30 to 11.30 Westminster Kingsway College Kentish Town Centre, Holmes Rd NW5

** Saturday 3-6pm, Camden School for Girls, Sandall Rd NW5** CADFA birthday party,** music, dance, kids’ films from Abu Dis and a Palestinian meal **

Leaving Palestine

2008-10-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

It is very complicated arranging a visit and it seems it is very complicated to leave occupied Palestine... While we have been busy busy in London getting ready to welcome our guests, they have had to take more time off their schools because, they discovered, the Israelis are closing the bridge to Jordan this Friday, and this Thursday, and having very limited hours (with long expected queues) on Wednesday... So in order to reach us in London on Saturday, they have had to leave TODAY Tuesday.

And then we discovered that, crossing the bridge, the Israelis held up one of the teachers (while the others waited) for about four hours... Not knowing if he would be allowed to cross....

Fortunately, they are all now in Jordan. Hope they have a good time and we wish them all a good rest of the journey and look forward to seeing them all in London SOON!!!

Programme for the teachers' visit

2008-10-07T09:11:00.001-07:00

Planning has been going on a long time for the Abu Dis teachers' visit to Camden, 11-19 October 2008 ... Here is the programme.

http://www.camdenabudis.net/docs/teachers%20visit%20programme%20oct%2008.doc

If you are a teacher in Abu Dis or Camden and would like to contribute to this blog, please contact us... education@camdenabudis.net