wfn.org | ACNS - Children of Middle East seek language of peace at Texas camp

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3056 - MIDDLE EAST - 12 July 2002

Children of Middle East seek language of peace at Texas camp

[St George's College, Jerusalem] In a bold new initiative, twelve Israeli
and Palestinian children from Jerusalem arrived in Houston on 6 July to
spend a week at Camp Allen, in nearby Navasota. Accompanied by four adult
teacher/advisors, the "Kids4Peace" will share songs, favourite recipes and
even a fashion show of Israeli and Palestinian costumes, as they form
friendships far from the conflict zone.

The children, all aged 10 to 12, are from the Jerusalem area. Among the
group are Palestinian Christians, Palestinian Muslims and Israeli Jews. Most
have virtually no other opportunities to meet and get to know children from
the other side of the conflict. Before the journey, spirits were running
high among the young participants - all of whom speak at least some English.
One of them said, "Kids4Peace is important because we can show people that
Jews and Christians and Muslims can be friends with each other. It will be
interesting to see how we will connect with each other."

The remarkable initiative is sponsored by two institutions of the Episcopal
Diocese of Jerusalem: St George's College and the St George's Cathedral
Local Pastorate Committee, but it was made possible by St Martin's Episcopal
Church of Houston and two anonymous donors. Camp Allen too is excited.
George Dehan, President, said, "Camp Allen has a theme of 'Awaken your
Spirit in the Piney Woods', and Kids4Peace has already awakened our spirit
before they even arrive."

Parents and educators in Jerusalem gathered around their common belief that
education leads to peace, despite the escalation of hostilities. Though
confronted with a stalled peace process, the founders of Kids4Peace believe
that an experience of tolerance and respect that begins with the very young
can invite adults, too, into more mature ways of coexistence.

Follow-up activities have already been planned, so that once the Kids4Peace
return to Jerusalem, they, along with their parents and siblings, will have
further opportunities to continue the dialogue. Look for the Kids' photos,
reactions and plans at:

www.kids4peace.org

_______________________________________________
The ACNSlist is published by the Anglican Communion Office, London.

Please send QUESTIONS or COMMENTS to acnslist@anglicancommunion.org. Any 
comments about the content of the article should be directed to the author. 
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to this message, as any replies are discarded 
automatically.

You can subscribe/unsubscribe online at 
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/subscribe.html

ACNS mailing list