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.
Georgia, you bring so much light to the kid's at camp. They light up when ever they see you.
ReplyDeleteGood work Georgia!
ReplyDelete