I will be trekking to the summit of Mt. Damavand, Iran in 2017 for the women and children of the occupied territories of Palestine by raising $10,000 in six months to build a classroom for the Alrowwad Arts and Cultural Centre within the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. The Alrowwad Arts and Cultural Centre helps women and children by providing a space for belonging, to express themselves through art, music, theatre and to have hope for a peaceful future. It is non-violent resistance through creativity, to pull people away from violence and instead use art as a means of expression.
Women and Children in the occupied territories regularly experience violence or the threat of violence. “Children living under occupation have been found to experience significantly more traumatic events than Palestinian citizens of Israel, and report higher levels of post-traumatic symptoms, more pessimistic future orientation, and less favorable attitudes toward peace negotiations… living in proximity to the Separation Wall has led to feelings of sadness and fear amongst women, to a lack of motivation to perform daily activities among men, and is associated with feelings of loneliness and physical ailments. Children have shown increased aggressiveness, and have developed a fear of the night.”
Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Centre attempts to break this cycle so let us help them find a peaceful solution to a serious problem.
$10,000 will help build a classroom in a building currently being constructed for the centre that relies only on charity. They do not have enough money to finish the building and this initiative is to help them.
If 100 people gave $100, we could give children and women a chance to have hope for a better future.
Mt. Damavand peaks at 5,610 meters above sea level and is a symbol in Persian mythology and history against foreign rule. It is the highest mountain in the Middle East and is also an active volcano, representing that while dormant, the fire brews inside. Though I have an injury to my leg from an accident, I want to prove that determination and a strong will through adversity is possible, that all Palestinian women are not alone nor should they ever feel hopeless. That despite what women may experience or told to believe, strength and courage is not a physical attribute.