LIFE IN A PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMP

Few people can imagine what life is like living in a refugee camp. Palestinians have been living as refugees in camps since 1948 when they were forced out of their homes by the new Jewish immigrants who just arrived from Europe intending to create the new Jewish-only state of Israel. Today, eighty percent of Palestinians are refugees, many in their own country.

It is a painful story and quite difficult to comprehend. How a people, who have suffered bigotry and hate, would attempt to create a home for themselves by ethnically cleansing an entire population of an indigenous people is astounding. But that is exactly what has been happening to the Palestinian people since the creation of Israel.

As horrific as life has been for Palestinians since the imposition of the Jewish State of Israel, many have tried to make the best of their situation however humanly possible.

One such project is the Ibdaa Cultural Center located at the Dheisheh Refugee Camp. Ibdaa means "to create something out of nothing." As is specified on their web site: the Ibdaa Cultural Center is a grassroots initiative of the Dheisheh Refugee Camp. Founded in 1995, Ibdaa serves over 1,200 children and young people annually through various programs, while providing job opportunities to over 25 families in the camp.

Ibdaa's mission is to provide an environment for the camp's children and young people to develop their abilities, creativity and leadership skills through social, cultural and educational activities not otherwise available.

Ibdaa strives to empower children and instill in them the confidence and strength necessary to face up to their difficult future, while educating the international community about the Palestinian refugee issue.

Another such initiative is Save the Children UK's Web Project
Eye to Eye. Read an article by UK Independent Columnist Robert Fisk on Eye to Eye.

More information on Life in a Palestinian Refugee Camp can be found at the United Nations UNRWA Web Site.