Georgia hearts the Aida Refugee Camp Children

Every morning we take a taxi to the Aida camp just outside of Bethlehem. We are dropped off under an arch the shape of a keyhole and walk up a long, steep hill that runs along the wall separating Israeli territory from the Palestinian refugee camp. The wall is covered in pictures and words. My favorite is a quote added to the wall this week, “only free men can negotiate.” –Nelson Mandela

We visit Aida to teach yoga to children. Growing up in an overpopulated, under-resourced area, it’s amazing how these kids thrive. I come home to Bethlehem every day wondering how these kids, who are coping with so much, can be this open and trusting with a group of strangers. As sad as the situation at Aida is, these kids have developed an amazing set of skills for dealing with hardship and getting along in the world. 

The group dynamic in Aida is totally foreign to me. The supervising adults are very hands-off and let the kids resolve things for themselves. Rather than the lord-of-the-flies situation you might envision, these kids have developed a really protective, supportive community.  The big kids take care of the little kids, they resolve conflicts on their own and they are great collaborators.  They will take on any challenge presented to them.

A lot of the Aida kids like to have their pictures taken, and I think that speaks to their need to have a voice and an identity both inside and outside of their community.  I hope that our presence is able to bring some of these kids a sense of individuality and freedom they haven’t felt before.

I feel so energized by these kids, and I can’t wait to see them take on the world… with a little help from OTYF.