Abu Dis children's music visit to Camden

Something inside so strong

2008-07-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otuwNwsqHmQ&NR=1

(the song sung by Camden kids to the Palestinian kids at Netley School)

One of the songs

2008-06-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

My land is in pain
It has had enough
Haram
We have had enough tragedies and promises and words
Children from schools, bells from the churches and the voice from the minarets
All of them are praying
For there to be peace.

Tuesday 25th June - Weds 26th

2008-06-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

This was the last photo in London, after spending the morning in Camden Lock and before getting on the tube to Heathrow.

It took about 24 hours for the visitors to travel to Heathrow, then to Jordan, then to the Bridge, then to the Palestinian isteraha in Jericho, then back home to Abu Dis.

All are safely back now

حمد الله لسلامتهم

Monday 25th June

2008-06-25T04:47:00.000-07:00

Just an amazing day, in Brighton

The sun shone

The girls from Abu Dis and their Camden buddies were there, with Ahmed and his family, Sirat, Shuma and Nandita and our great friends from the Brighton-Tubas group - Many thanks to them.

And all was good and very happy - the beach, the pier, the Sealife Centre, and lots of time to talk about what we had done and what next.

There will soon be more photos on the website, but meanwhile here is an article from Al Jazeera:

http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/5BD4120A-BD8E-4D48-BC49-9FCB8AD049D2

For people who can't read Arabic, it talks about how much the English girls learned from their Palestinian friends, and about the Palestinian girls' experiences in London, including noticing that their country didn't appear on maps here. (yet)

Sunday 22nd June 2008

2008-06-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

The kids went to Camden Lock first thing - Then there was the Youth Festival which had lots of lovely parts to it (thank you everyone who was involved in this) and then to an Interpal party with London Palestinian kids, held in their honour. Back by train and stopped to see the London lights from the top of the Heath.

They are having an amazing time.

Singing in school + now a day off...

2008-06-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

This is a photo from a couple of days ago.

Today the kids went to Camden Saturday Music and then to Hampstead Heath for a picnic, despite the threat of rain. In fact it was green and the day was beautiful ...

Later the concert ... Also beautiful....Photos to follow, I hope...

From the children:

I asked them, "If someone asked you what is the biggest difference between here and Palestine, what would you tell them?" (thinking it could be any of the massive cultural differences).

The answers were "No army" - "No checkpoints" - "You are free to go where you want and not worry, we have to stay in the house" - "No Wall."

Friday 20th June

2008-06-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Today was so full...

Assembly at LSU - Their year 8 (did I get this right?) did a great assembly for Refugee Week including lots of information about Palestinian refugees - Which then led into a great performance by Ahmed and the girls.

Two hours of very different things at Maria Fidelis - dance, art, discussion with the students and various sorts of nice food.

Music assembly at Primrose Hill and a chance for the girls to work with Primrose Hill girls on some amazing instruments from simple materials that might be able to be built in Abu Dis in the autumn.

A green time on Primrose Hill itself, and the sky clouding over but the rain keeping light - The Palestinian girls enjoyed playing and then we had a walk round the edge of the zoo before...

King's Cross Youth Club slow at first, but then their kids came to join in discussion with the visitors and seemed quite interested

Calthorpe Centre where they made great food, and where we talked to people in their lovely garden

Beesan and Aseel meanwhile went to the Camden Fencing Club and apparently beat all of their opponents

And everyone hopes for a bit more sleep tonight, and all of us need it... MOre photos on here when there is a minute.

Picture from Camden Council Staff Bulletin...

2008-06-20T15:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.camdenabudis.net/docs/From%20Camden%20Council.doc

Cub scouts

2008-06-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

and then we discovered Farah is in the Keshafe, which is the same thing...

Girls' club today

2008-06-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Netley School sang this to the Abu Dis kids...

2008-06-19T14:43:00.001-07:00

The higher you build your barriers

The taller I become

The farther you take my rights away

The faster I will run

You can deny me

You can decide to turn your face away

No matter, cos there's ...

Something inside so strong

I know that I can make it

Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong

You thought that my pride was gone

Oh no, something inside so strong

Oh oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

The more that you refuse to hear my voice

The louder I will sing

You hide behind walls of Jericho

Your lies will come tumbling

Deny my place in time

You squander wealth that's mine

My light will shine so brightly

It will blind you

Cos there's...

Something inside so strong

I know that I can make it

Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong

You thought that my pride was gone

Oh no, something inside so strong

Oh oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters

When they insist we're just not good enough

When we know better

Just look 'em in the eyes and say

I'm gonna do it anyway....

Cos there's...

Something inside so strong

I know that I can make it

Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong

You thought that my pride was gone

Oh no, something inside so strong

Oh oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

From Camden School today

2008-06-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday 19th June

2008-06-19T13:39:00.001-07:00

Very very busy today... Met lots of people and lots of people are interested and want to know more and find useful things to do with CADFA...

First, Camden School, which was very impressive. Our great group of buddies did a Powerpoint presentation about Abu Dis and CADFA to introduce the girls who sang and Ahmed played... Then looking at the school and a music class and an RE class and a good discussion with a history student... Then basket ball.

Then Netley School which was also great, where we had lunch and met year 6, played rounders and went to Regent's Park, and then had a great assembly with songs from Camden and Abu Dis and also a story from Aida Camp read both in English and in Arabic (their refugee week assembly)

Then a girls' club in Euston where there was a very interesting discussion about the differences between teenage life in Britain and in Palestine - Why do some teenagers in London NOT care about education when teenagers in Palestine really do?! They are also interested and want to stay in touch...

And the Scouts in Coram's Fields who looked at a map and tried falafel and fool and listened to the singing and asked sensible questions...

And then food at Carmel's (thanks Carmel and Rachael)

Weds 18th June

2008-06-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

We are flying around, so busy. No time today to get photos on here although we have hundreds. These kids are great and make a great impression wherever they go.
This morning, South Camden Community School - and the school council there want to twin with the UNWRA school from Abu Dis, which is great news. The girls sang in assembly and took part in the school council discussion and also in a samba class.
Then they went to the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park.
Later they joined the Woodcraft Folk for discussion about their lives in Palestine and for some videoing and games. And then ate with Rosalind (thank you Rosalind)

اسفين جدا

2008-06-18T09:56:00.001-07:00

SORRY PARENTS
It is taking just TOO LONG to get the photos on here, and we are now rushing to another y outh club...
Will try later... But they are all fine, and happy!
Nandita

From Camden Staff Newsletter...

2008-06-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

Sounds of Palestine come to Camden

Students from the Palestinian West Bank are in Camden this week to give schoolchildren and residents a taste of Middle Eastern culture. The group, from the UN School for Refugees in Abu Dis, are performing traditional songs with their music teacher and renowned oud player Ahmed Eriqat in local schools and at Holy Cross Church, in Cromer Street, WC1 at 7pm on Saturday (21 June). The young singers and Mr Eriqat are pictured below giving a performance for CSF staff in the training and development centre (TDC) at Crowndale.
Entrance to the concert is free but donations to CADFA for the students’ visit are welcomed. If you can’t make the concert you can send a cheque to CADFA, PO Box 34265, London NW5 2WD or donate via the website at www.camdenabudis.net

Reading about Camden Abu Dis in the newspaper

2008-06-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 17th was a GREAT DAY

2008-06-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

**We started with a meeting in Rachael's garden to discuss the programme and what everyone was expecting and how things were going so far...

** Then we went on the first London bus, and we went upstairs so everyone could see a lot of London...

** Then we went to the Camden Local Authority Children, Schools and Families Department, and the kids sang and lots of people listened and said nice things....

** Then we went on a bus to the river and saw the middle of London and Somerset House and the bridges ...

** Then the London Eye and a brilliant view...

** Then the boat on the river and so much to see...

** Then icecreams in the sun...

** Then back by bus past the Whitehall and Trafalgar Square etc

** Then a CADFA meal and lots of good people were there - and lots of nice food, but Saud's mum's maklubeh was special (for me)

** Then a meeting on refugees, which was important. Sirat spoke and so did some of the girls - and later people wanted them to sing, along with Ahmed. People were listening hard.

** News for the girls' families: Your daughters are GREAT. It is a real pleasure having them with us in London. We think they are having a really great time, and certainly the people who meet them appreciate their energy and what they say as well as their singing. They are great ambassadors for Palestine (along with Ahmed and Sirat of course!)
Best wishes from London to you all!

Last-minute reprieve

2008-06-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.spiderednews.com/PalestineandIsrael_I.htm?url=@http://worldpressnetwork.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=277

First evening in London

2008-06-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

The Abu Dis girls were tired afer their long journey but I think they were happy. The Camden girls were really pleased to meet them. We hope it is the beginning of a good week.

Cousins

2008-06-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

Abu Dis cousins in Camden

Waiting

2008-06-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

Camden girls waiting outside Caledonian Road tube station for their friends from Abu Dis to arrive

From the girls

2008-06-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

(All written in English)

I would like to be a champion in fencing and to be someone who is important in my country.I am good in school but I am not so good in English. I am a happy girl, I would like to see everybody happy. I like to laugh and smile.

I have two sisters and two brothers. My mother doesn't work. My father died. I like writing poems.

I am from Palestine, I live in Abu Dis, I like acting, singing, dancing and playing, I love my school, my teachers and headteacher

I am from Abu Dis, I am 14 years old, I am a student in the UNWRA school

I'm 13 years old, I'm in the UNWRA school, I am good at school but not
too much in English, I want to enjoy London because it's my first trip

I'm from Palestine. My dream is to live in free Palestine
without a separation wall and without occupation. I hope to be at your expectation in this visit

They all have their visas!!!

2008-06-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

We are looking forward to seeing
Sirat Sandouqa, headteacher of the UNWRA School Abu Dis
Ahmed Eriqat, CADFA music teacher, Abu Dis (and oud player)
and
Aseel, Asma, Beesan, Farah, Haya, Nirmeen
in London
ON MONDAY AFTERNOON!!

اخبار رحلة الموسيقيين الى كامدن News update

2008-06-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

اخبار رحلة الموسيقيين الى كامدن
نود من خلال هذة الرسالة ان نبلغ كل المهتمين بان اعضاء الفرقة ومعلميهم اليوم الاحد موجودين في الاردن وقد توجهوا منذ صباح اليوم بعد التحق للمجموعة الاستاذ احمد عريقات والطالبة اسماء خنفر
ومن المتوقع ان يتم اعطائهم الفيزا من السفارة البريطانية في عمان ليتوجهوا الى لندن غداً الاثنين لتبدأ رحلة الموسيقيين الى لندن وهي الرحلة الثالثة لاطفال من ابوديس الى كامدن لندن خلال الثلاث سنوات الماضية

Friday 14th June - The journey has started!

2008-06-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

(picture from last year's youth visit)

Sirat and the children are now in Jordan - except for Asma - again because of problems in the British visa-application process (her passport was still in Amman, and has to be collected and given to her tomorrow...). Tomorrow they will go to the British Embassy in Amman to reapply for their visas (as they were initially refused) and Asma and Ahmed will join them and do the same thing.

Here, we should extend many many thanks to all the schools, youth clubs etc in Camden who wrote to say this was a bona fide visit - we think it made a difference and it should be noted that, now, the Embassy is being very helpful. We fully expect that they will get the visas now, although they lose a day.

I think this is the list of things that they had to do before they could come...

- get invitations from us in London

- get new passports (how many journeys was that?)

- get parents to sign consent forms

- gather papers and do application forms for British visas

- get these to Jerusalem, now cut off behind the wall

- travel to Ramallah to have fingerprints taken

- get permits to allow the girls to travel with Sirat out of Palestine (Israeli regulations)

- get some sort of documentation to let them come into Jordan in Sirat's care

- in the case of two of them, go and get the biometric tests done again as they didn't work first time round

- (Sirat) wait in the long queue of people collecting passports, very many of whom found that they hadn't been given a visa

- keep cheerful when the British visas were refused

- go to the British Embassy in Amman to apply again - wait another day for the biometric things to prove acceptable

- having started this all actually months ago, get on the plane a day late.....

But المحم (the important thing) - hurray, they are coming, and we are really really looking forward to seeing them. They have a fantastic programme - even with Monday missing - of school singing and music classes and religion and history classes and refugee assemblies, and youth clubs doing so many things... pity they will miss the football. But they will do Brighton and the London Eye and a concert and a festival... Hope it is a great time for all of our visitors!

اخبار ممتازة

2008-06-13T02:52:00.000-07:00

- بعد ان كدنا نفقد امكانية حصول البنات على الفيزا لدخول بريطانيا، تم اخبارنا بان البنات سيحصلن على الفيزا من الاردن وسيصلن في مع نهاية هذا الاسبوع، اذا كنت في لندن نرحب بك بالتعرف عليهن. ونذكر ببعض النشاطات اللقاء حول اللاجئين الذي سيعقد يوم الثلاثاء 17/ 6
اما عن الحفل الموسيقي فسيكون يوم السبت 21/6
ومهرجان الاطفال سيكون الاحد 22/6

Special events

2008-06-13T02:49:00.001-07:00

Hope to see you at the Refugee Meeting on Tues 17th
http://www.camdenabudis.net/docs/Refugee%20meeting%20June%2008.pdf

or at the Midsummer Concert on Sat 21st
http://www.camdenabudis.net/docs/Midsummer%20concert%203.pdf

or at the Youth Festival on Sun 21st
http://www.camdenabudis.net/docs/International%20Youth%20Festival%202.pdf

Nearly a disaster!

2008-06-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

Today was a very difficult day. After a lot of work and a lot of waiting, everyone was expecting to get their British visas and set off on Saturday. But then we heard today that most of the visas were going to be refused.... What a disaster! What a disappointment! Really in London we couldn't believe it.... After all these months of preparation?!

Lots of people in London wrote faxes and emails to say how much they were looking forward to meeting the Abu Dis girls and their teachers... And once again, it looks as if it will be all right. They have to apply again, in Amman, and they will be a day late, but GREAT - again we think that they are coming!!!!

2008-06-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

We are looking forward to seeing you in London!

2008-06-12T00:20:00.001-07:00