Our Community: Partnering with Youth Centers
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The Freedom Theatre in Jenin camp (Jenin) – 2007

Using the arts as a model for social change, The Freedom Theatre is developing the only professional venue for theatre and arts in the north of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The aim of this project is to empower and give voice to the children of Jenin Refugee Camp through a unique programme of workshops and activities in theatre, supporting arts and multi-media, ranging in their emphasis from the largely therapeutic and healing, to the presentation of high-quality artistic products.

Website: http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org

Collaborative Activities with Voices Beyond Walls:
The Freedom Theatre, Birthright Unplugged and Voices Beyond Walls present a photography exhibition and film screening, August 17, 2007

Lajee Center in Aida camp (Bethlehem) – 2007 and 2008

Lajee Center (‘lajee’ means ‘refugee’ in Arabic), was established in Aida Camp in April 2000 by a group of 11 young people from the Camp who wanted to serve the community. It is an independent, Palestinian, non-governmental organization, registered with the Ministry of NGO Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority in 2001. The main aim of the Center is to provide refugee youth with cultural, educational, social and developmental opportunities. Its programs are designed in response to the particular needs of the children and the skills and abilities of its members.

Website: http://www.lajee.org

Our Voice - Refugee Youth Magazine: http://www.refugeevoice.org

Collaborative Activities with Voices Beyond Walls:
Dreaming In Palestine Film Workshop and Festival, September 05, 2008
Dreaming In Palestine, August 06, 2007 

Not to Forget Women’s Association in Jenin Camp (Jenin) – 2006

Farhah Abu Al Hija runs a center in Jenin Refugee Camp called, “Not to Forget: Woman Association.” Their mission is to help improve the psychological state of women and children who lived through the Israeli massacre in the camp in April 2002. The center provides gifts for Eid, school bags and clothes for children, computer and other educational classes for women and psychological counseling for all. “They should be able to live with a feeling of security, to sleep in a quiet situation, without the army at their doors and without the sound of opening fire, to sleep at night quietly like any person in their homes, the place where anyone should be able to relax, but unfortunately, it’s not so. This is something extremely important for human beings. But the situation is more difficult. There are injured people in the homes they must perpetually care for. But we are just a small organization.” Excerpted from online article in the Palestine News Network, January 21, 2008.

Ramallah Computer Clubhouse supporting Al-Ammari, Kalandia, and Qadora refugee camps (Ramallah) – 2007 and 2008

The Ramallah Computer Clubhouse is an after-school program which is part of an international network of centers managed by Boston Museum of Science and started through support of Intel Foundation and MIT Media Laboratory. It provides youth, ages 10 to 18, access to high-tech equipment, professional software and adult mentors to help them develop the self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning they need to be successful in the future. Youth visiting the Computer Clubhouse learn by doing. They create digital artwork, produce their own music CDs, write and edit their own short movies, and design websites. The Ramallah Clubhouse has been welcoming as many as 60 young people a day, many of whom come from a disadvantaged area of Ramallah, as well as a number of nearby refugee camps. With adult mentors from nearby universities providing support, young people have the chance to develop their skills in communications, creative expression, and personal productivity. Once a week, the Clubhouse is reserved for girls only, giving them a chance to explore their interests among themselves, in keeping with their cultural traditions. 

Website: http://www.computerclubhouse.org/sattext.html#Palestine
http://www.computerclubhouse.org/news/RamallahOpening/RamallahOpening.html

Article about Ramallah Computer Clubhouse in Electronic Intifada, October 6, 2003

Collaborative Activities with Voices Beyond Walls:
Empowering Palestinian Children and Youth Through Digital Media, The World Bank, 2007

Royal Film Commission, Baqa’a Camp (Jordan) – 2006

The Royal Film Commission (RFC) was established in Jordan in 2003. The RFC is a financially and administratively autonomous Jordanian government entity led by a Board of Commissioners chaired by HRH Ali bin Al Hussein. The RFC capacity building programs work towards creating supportive national audio visual and multimedia learning environments where Jordanians grow, live their dreams and work to change the world.  Their work is aimed at growing Jordan's creative economy as we invest in our production industry culturally and socially, building human, technical and financial capacity to develop and grow audio visual and multimedia production.

Website: http://www.film.jo/

Shu’fat Women and Child Centers in the Shu’fat refugee camp (East Jerusalem) – 2008

The women's center at the Shu’fat refugee camp works to improve the social, educational, and economic standing of women by recruiting all women and raising awareness. The center focuses on many issues of women, children, and refugees, such as employment, human rights, and supporting the families and women against violence in the family. The center supports the developmental role of women by training them in various arenas and trying to furnish work opportunities for them, in addition to activating their role in childcare and in fighting social problems. The center includes a kindergarten and a library and offers lessons in skincare and beautification, embroidery, computer, and physical education.

Interview with Jihad Abu Zneid, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and President of the women's center of Shu'fat refugee camp, Peace Times.

Yafa Cultural Center in Balata camp (Nablus) – 2006, 2007 and 2008

Yafa Cultural Center (YCC) is a non-profit cultural NGO that was formed through an initiative by the Committee for the Defense of Palestinian Refugee Rights. YCC works to improve the cultural and intellectual condition of Palestinians by providing them with a space to develop their talents and skills and to enrich their awareness of their national rights through civic education particularly on democracy and human rights. This is done through a wide variety of activities and programs that are designed and implemented by distinguished volunteers with much experience. Through this work, YCC aims to empower Palestinians in fostering a strong and independent identity, and to enable positive accomplishments in the future while escaping the negative effects of the on-going Israeli occupation.

Website: http://yafacult.org/html/

Collaborative Activities with Voices Beyond Walls:
Filmmaking Workshop at YCC