About the Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society
Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society was founded in 1998 to help give children resilience and means of self-expression to counter the harsh realities of Israeli occupation. The Centre is a grassroots organisation run by and for the community to teach children to be promoters of peace. The Centre creates a safe space where the youth of the camp can “be kids again”. www.alrowwad.org/en/
Ethos Alrowwad's ethos is that cultivating creativity is a profound, non-violent form of resistance against injustice. The Arts are used to give the community a platform on which to tell their stories, and to equip community members with concrete skills so they can work more effectively for a sustainable peace. Programmes The Centre includes a theatre, photo and video project, educational afterschool, women’s centre, and choir and dance troupe. Through relevant educational programmes and creative opportunities, the Centre offers skills, confidence, and the awareness needed to build a more hopeful future. The programmes are open to girls and boys alike and without discrimination. Please make a difference to the lives of the women and children of Aida refugee camp by donating to Alrowwad - all funds received are passed directly on to Alrowwad Centre
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The Al-Rowwad centre is in the Aida Refugee Camp, in
the town of Bethlehem, in Israeli-Occupied Palestine. |
Theatre
Alrowwad started with a theatre in 1998 as an essential means for self-expression and beautiful non-violent resistance. Since then, theatre remains the priority of the Centre as it gives the children the opportunity to express themselves freely and to show their talent: in one word, to act and be treated as normal human beings. When you are living in a world where violence and humiliation are your daily bread, this opportunity is a real chance. The theatre troupes have toured in the USA, UK, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and Egypt.
Theatre in Alrowwad has another purpose: to pass on to the children essential values such as a sense of justice, peace and freedom, respect for others, open-mindedness, love for the homeland, confidence, and a sense of belonging. We want our children to grow up with these values in order to prepare a future that will be better than our present.
Theatre in Alrowwad has another purpose: to pass on to the children essential values such as a sense of justice, peace and freedom, respect for others, open-mindedness, love for the homeland, confidence, and a sense of belonging. We want our children to grow up with these values in order to prepare a future that will be better than our present.
Dance and Choir
When the young people dance Dabka, the traditional Palestinian dance, their faces light up and their eyes sparkle. Each time their their feet stomp on the soil, the heart of Palestine resounds. Teaching Dabka keeps the tradition alive.
Palestinian culture flourishes as the Alrowwad choristers master the traditional melodies of the ever so beautiful yet technically difficult style of Fayrouz. After much time, effort and concentration, the youth learn the skills of singing and dance, and their dreams of performing are realised.
Palestinian culture flourishes as the Alrowwad choristers master the traditional melodies of the ever so beautiful yet technically difficult style of Fayrouz. After much time, effort and concentration, the youth learn the skills of singing and dance, and their dreams of performing are realised.
Photography and Video
After photo and video training, students are able to work independently, using the resources at alrowwad to develop their own projects and become trainers themselves.
In an area of the world where so much of the media is focused on violence and conflict, this project puts cameras in the hands of local people. They are given the opportunity to show the how they see the world through their own eyes. The programme is called Palestinian Images for Life.
In an area of the world where so much of the media is focused on violence and conflict, this project puts cameras in the hands of local people. They are given the opportunity to show the how they see the world through their own eyes. The programme is called Palestinian Images for Life.
Women's Projects
The Centre also supports women with specific training programmes, in recognition of the extra pressure that camp life puts on those who are often keepers of the family. The confinement resulting from the occupation is particularly hard for women, who spend most of their time in the camp and have few opportunities for self-development and self-expression.
The Centre supports women with a wide range of opportunities, such as fitness, computer training, video filming and editing, job creation projects, and empowerment programmes. The activities reinforce women’s roles in the community by improving their confidence and creativity.
The Centre supports women with a wide range of opportunities, such as fitness, computer training, video filming and editing, job creation projects, and empowerment programmes. The activities reinforce women’s roles in the community by improving their confidence and creativity.
School Enhancement
Given the psychological impact of life under occupation, children need to be given special attention. Most children in the camp have been victims or witnesses of violence during Israeli military incursions into the camp, and most families have a relative in Occupation jails. The separation wall runs adjacent to the camp, cutting children off from what used to be the only open space for them to play. In this environment, a growing number of children are showing signs of psychological disturbance. There is a desperate need for a safe, inclusive space where children can find emotional and psychological support.
Due to a lack of resources, local children only go to school for half a day and classes are usually extremely overcrowded. Teachers are unable to give the necessary attention to children with extra educational needs. So it is vital that supplementary schooling is provided. Through this programme, 400 children from the camp, Beit Jibrin, and other neighbouring areas are receiving professional teaching in Arabic, maths and English.
The Centre has established a public library for children. A computer centre is being developed to increase the number of computers and internet connections available. This allows children's education to be supplemented with online materials. This will also allow children to expand their horizons by communicating with others abroad.
Due to a lack of resources, local children only go to school for half a day and classes are usually extremely overcrowded. Teachers are unable to give the necessary attention to children with extra educational needs. So it is vital that supplementary schooling is provided. Through this programme, 400 children from the camp, Beit Jibrin, and other neighbouring areas are receiving professional teaching in Arabic, maths and English.
The Centre has established a public library for children. A computer centre is being developed to increase the number of computers and internet connections available. This allows children's education to be supplemented with online materials. This will also allow children to expand their horizons by communicating with others abroad.
The centre exists only with your support. Help Palestine. Donate.