West Bank

Sharek Youth Forum. July/August 2009

Appalled by the Israeli bombardment of Gaza in 2007/8, Create made contact with various groups working in the region to see if we could contribute to the humanitarian efforts being undertaken.

We began a dialogue with Sharek Youth Forum and after much discussion agreed a programme of creative education projects with Palestinian children that Sharek support and informal training sessions with Sharek's local volunteers.

Due to Israeli restrictions we were unable access Gaza, instead the projects took place in Nablus and Hailhul. Were we worked with local Palestinian children. Friendship was a reoccurring subject, this was explored through group work, discussion, movement work and drama.

Graham Peebles led the projects, working with Volunteers from Sharek, together they delivered a range of creative education workshops. Graham recorded his time in the Middle East, writing a diary – see Middle East Diary, which was published in Share International magazine in their October 2010 issue.