Copyright Children of Peace;
design and build by
PATRON: MADONNA
ROYAL PATRON:
HH THE BEGUM
AGA KHAN
THE AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES
Supporting Good Causes Worldwide
CURRENT PROGRAMMES
FRIENDSHIP PROGRAMME
ARTS PROJECT
EDUCATION
HEALTH
SPORTS
VOLUNTEERS
PEACE GARDEN
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
PEACE PROJECTS
Each programme is designed to respect the traditions, values and customs of both
communities whilst notions of healing, friendship, mutual respect and cooperation
are encouraged.
Children of Peace works with grassroots Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and
Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Israel and in Palestine who share our mission
and our objectives. Our projects are managed locally by an Operations Manager based
in the region and are project managed from the UK by our dedicated team. We regularly
monitor all our projects and programmes and ensure each meets our recommended outcomes
where possible.
In many cases, Children of Peace acts as an important mediator - bringing groups
and individuals together who have been unable to make contact before. Click a link
on the right to see more (or scroll down, but it’s long scroll!).
ARTS PROJECTS
The Children of Peace Arts Project works with regional NGOs and local CBOs to develop
sustainable community based arts projects that respect the culture, values and traditions
of both Arab and Jewish communities in the region.
The Projects focus upon the visual, performing, dramatic and plastic arts including
theatre, dance, poetry, music and painting through shared experiences, exhibitions
and performances. Essential to the success of each project is the provision of well-trained
teaching staff, experienced carers, venues, equipment and materials. One key project
for 2009 is the Children of Peace Girls' Choir that will consist of equal numbers
of Arab and Jewish girls.
Notable projects include support for the initiatives at the inspirational peace community
Neve Shalom-Wahat al Salaam, the ongoing educational programmes of Shani Choir of
Jezreel Valley, Beit al Musica and ADreams, il Germoglio - all Partners of Children
of Peace.
FRIENDSHIP PROGRAMME
Inspired by Neve Shalom-Wahat al Salaam, Children of Peace will spearhead a campaign
across the region to teach Palestinian children Hebrew and Israeli children Arabic.
This is a surprising rarity in the region. Children are primarily taught English
as a second language but often cannot communicate with their closest neighbours.
We are all too aware of how the wrong tone of voice, inflection, lack of awareness
of local customs and misuse of words can all lead to misinterpretation and misunderstanding.
The Children of Peace Friendship Project would act as an important language teaching
programme to enhance our underlying mission, message and objectives.
PEACE GARDEN
In homage to classic biblical, Jewish and Islamic water gardens, the Children of
Peace Garden will be a place of contemplation and tranquillity with access for all
communities and dedicated to the children and bereaved families of the region.
The Children of Peace Garden will be designed and built by Israeli and Palestinian
gardeners and will act as an international icon of peace.
HELP US TO CREATE THIS ICONIC GARDEN OF PEACE
To help make the Children of Peace Garden a reality, please contact us today. You
can fund it, build it, design it, plant it, construct it! We urgently need funds,
plants, designers, builders, architects, growers, suppliers and helpers.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Both Israeli and Arab children live in a permanent state of tension and stress. Life
in a war zone can be interspersed with unpredictable acts of violence, deprivation,
mental health problems, homelessness, starvation, interrupted studies and personal
tragedies. Sometimes, the situation is made worse by outside organisations and politicised
groups manipulating the situation for the worst of all possible reasons.
Children of Peace will only work with organisations that recognise that in all conflicts,
everyone is a victim.
We fully support the right of all Israeli and Palestinian communities to resolve
the underlying causes of conflict together, through cooperation and dialogue. Our
work is to help make that possible.
That is why we support the work of local NGOs and CBOs like OneVoice, the Abraham
Fund, The al-Quds Center for Dialogue and Democracy, the Palestinian Peace Coalition,
Combatants for Peace,and the Peres Center for Peace.
EDUCATION
All our education programmes are based upon mutual respect and tolerance, equality
between Jews and Arabs, conflict resolution, awareness raising and respect for each
others culture, faith and traditions. Affiliated Partner organisations like Hope
Flowers School in Bethlehem,, Hand in Hand for Arab Jewish Education, the Mar Elias
Educational Institutions, The Jaffa Institute, The Galilee Society and the Abraham
Fund share these objectives with Children of Peace.
By working with like-minded Israeli and Palestinian partners our educational programmes
aim to assist both Israeli and Palestinian pupils to resource and fund their education,
whilst also providing opportunities for overseas study, to benefit economically disadvantaged
children and youth.
HEALTH
Many children throughout the region suffer worrying levels of poor mental and physical
health due to economic deprivation, anxiety and stress, diet, limited health education
programmes and violence. This is well-documented in leading medical journals like
the American Journal of Psychology and The Lancet. Palestinian children have unusually
high levels of childhood diabetes and disabilities and Israeli children experience
variable amounts of anxiety, stress and emotion connected to living in a heightened
state of uncertainty.
Working closely with grassroots organisations like the al-Taj for Health and Heritage,
Benevolent Health Association for All (Gaza), Red Crescent Society Gaza, Physicians
for Human Rights, National Council for the Child (Israel) and the Peres Center for
Peace Medical Division, we aim to fund vital research work, medical care, local health
centres and importantly, training and training facilities for Palestinian doctors
and medical staff in Israeli hospitals and medical institutions to assist them in
their work with children.
SPORTS
2007 saw the launch of the first Children of Peace Football Teams. 60 Israeli boys
from Yeruham and 60 boys from Bethlehem in the Palestinian Authority will link up
through the Children of Peace Twinned Soccer Schools. In association with the Peres
Center for Peace Sports Unit, Children of Peace will fund the kit, insurance, Israeli
and Palestinian professional consultants, coaches’ salaries, auxiliary education
(in English, Mathematics, Computer Studies, Hebrew for Palestinian children, Arabic
for Israeli children).
Our Partners go to tremendous lengths to arrange cross-border passes for the boys,
their parents, teachers and coaches. Over the year, the boys and their families will
participate in many joint activities including a Mini World Cup and a Parents' Days
Out.
We also plan to support girls sporting projects in the coming years including shared
netball, basketball and hockey activities.
VOLUNTEERING
Children of Peace views sport as an important means of helping disadvantaged children
to improve mental and physical health. Sport has a remarkable ability to overcome
differences of language, politics and religion and is a powerful tool in peace-building.
Children of Peace always welcomes volunteers from around the world to help us in
our humanitarian work for peace between Israeli's and Palestinians. Our children
need your help. You can support us in a variety of ways:
Making a donation... Our telephone donor line is 0870 300 1064.
Or by post...
Children of Peace Head Office
Suite 3B, Falmer Court
London Road
Uckfield East Sussex
TN22 1HN
UNITED KINGDOM
Fundraising... find out how you can help by arranging parties, support activities
and other ways to help us in our important mission. Please contact us.
Active professional support... by volunteering your skills as a teacher, arts professional,
sports trainer, language specialist or health professional.
