wfn.org | Episcopalians: Children escape Mideast violence to find haven of peace in Texas

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

August 8, 2002

2002-189

Episcopalians: Children escape Mideast violence to find haven 
of peace in Texas

by Thomas Blanton

(ENS) A dozen Christian, Jewish and Muslim children escaped the 
violence of life in the Middle East in an effort to build 
friendships and understanding that may provide a beacon of hope 
for peace in the future. And they found that opportunity in July 
at Camp Allen in the Diocese of Texas.

Kids4Peace is an extension of the work of Henry Carse, 
director of special programs at St. George's College in 
Jerusalem, and his wife Anne who have been active in adult 
education and interfaith dialogue groups to promote tolerance 
and listening. Kids4Peace was a natural extension of the "sheer 
weight of the fear shared by Israelis and Palestinians," Carse 
said, adding that he is convinced that the initiative will 
improve communication and understanding. "We have a chance to 
touch future leaders while they are still forming opinions."

Carse believes that "rather than trying to find a political 
solution to a religious squabble, we need to find new ways of 
communication from within the religious traditions." In Israel 
the children regularly visit sites sacred to the three religions 
as a way to encourage discussion and build respect. "We tell 
them these are all houses of God--and they are open to 
everyone," said the Rev. Suheil Dawani, pastor at St. George's 
Cathedral and one of the sponsors for the July trip to America.

Troubled place for kids

Although the Kids4Peace children were special guests at Camp 
Allen, the diocesan retreat center near Navasota, they joined a 
regular camp session and enjoyed the experiences offered to 
other campers--swimming, horseback riding, hiking, crafts and 
even a gusty electrical storm that scared those not accustomed 
to unpredictable summer weather in Texas.

"At the beginning of the week, the kids were staying in the 
lakeside cabins with their sponsors," said George Dehan, 
president of Camp Allen. Yet as the week progressed they chose 
to join the rest of the campers. At the end of the week, they 
put on a special program for the rest of the camp. Crowded 
around a lakeside campfire at dusk, campers sat enthralled as 
the Palestinian and Israeli children performed traditional 
Middle Eastern dances to their own music. Festivities included a 
traditional Middle Eastern feast with hummus, tabouli and 
dolmades prepared by the Kids4Peace children and their sponsors.

Na'ama, a girl from Jerusalem, spoke simply but eloquently 
about the struggles she and her friends face daily. "If you 
watch the news, you know that adults in the Middle East are 
having a hard time," she said. "The kids are having a hard time, 
too. Muslims, Christians and Jews don't have to fight. We can 
get along very well with each other."

Mission of peace

In the face of the disintegrating political situation and 
escalating violence, Carse said that he asked Kids4Peace 
advisors to identify families with different backgrounds that 
would be willing to participate in the adventure. Once the 
children were selected, it was necessary to find a peaceful 
place to come together, far away from the violence and strife. 
Friends suggested Camp Allen and the travel costs were 
generously underwritten by an anonymous benefactor from the 
diocese.

"This is an incredible example of how a vision to reach out 
opens possibilities beyond our imagination," said Bishop Claude 
E. Payne, bishop of Texas and president of the American Friends 
of the Diocese of Jerusalem. "Not only were we able to offer a 
place of rest and recreation for those exceptional children but 
they were also a gift to us."

According to Dawani, follow-up activities are planned to 
maintain contact among the children so that bonds of trust and 
friendship--beyond religion and culture--will continue to 
strengthen throughout their lives. "We hope and pray that our 
first experience in bringing Israeli and Palestinian children 
together will not be the last but a step in the right 
direction," he said.

Eleven-year-old Luban, a girl from Jerusalem, echoed the 
sentiment. "We have come here as one group. When we go back to 
Jerusalem we will continue our mission of peace."

------

--Thomas Blanton is assistant editor of the Texas 
Episcopalian, newspaper of the Diocese of Texas. More 
information on the program and a selection of photos are 
available at www.kids4peace.org.