Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society is based in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem. It provides dynamic community arts projects, promoting the cultivation of creativity as an alternative to violence. They call it ‘beautiful, non-violent resistance’ to empower children, young people and women.
As well as offering a child-centred, safe and inclusive space, the centre uses creative opportunities as a platform through which individuals can build confidence, express themselves and tell their stories – through theatre, dance, music, photography and film.
Artistic performances have toured throughout Palestine, as well as many countries in Europe and America, helping to raise awareness and preserve Palestinian traditional culture.
In addition to providing free pioneering training, equipment and supportive education, the centre runs an outreach programme to marginalised villages and refugee camps in the West Bank, where they partner with nurseries, schools and cooperatives to perform, exhibit and provide training and resources as needed.
Training programmes have also been developed to acknowledge and support the specific needs of women, including computer training, job creation projects, fitness and empowerment programmes. These help to reinforce the value of the women’s role in the community by improving their self confidence and encouraging their creativity.
To see the important work that takes place at Alrowwad and to find out more about 'Beautiful Resistance', please take a look at our short film.
Take a look through our range of resources, blog posts, downloads and products to find out more about our Palestine Justice work.
“A blog post entitled ‘Stories of Hope’ doesn’t feel right as I write this, as bombs fall across Gaza and we wake up bracing for bad news each morning. At the time of writing, over 6,500 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since hostilities began on 7th October, and many more are missing under the rubble.” Karin Joseph writes about a glimmer of hope in the rubble of Gaza.
“All of our work is a struggle right now, but we continue; we never stop. We are equipped with hope, empowered by people like our friends who support Amos Trust, determined to do what is best for our people.” Zoughbi Zoughbi from Wi'am Conflict Resolution Centre speaks to Katie Hagley.
At Amos Trust, ‘We do Hope’. Our monthly Stories of Hope blog post and email normally celebrates our partners around the world. But this month, we would like to celebrate all of you, our supporters, who, over the last 6 months, have been amazing at coming together to speak out, march and raise funds for our emergency appeal for Gaza and the West Bank.
This May, we have covered a lot of kilometres on the bike. From the hilly Lake District to the South of France, our supporters have been getting in the saddle in solidarity with Gaza and the West Bank and fundraising for our emergency appeal. Amos’ Meg Williams writes.
In the 1970s, the Israeli government made public displays of the Palestinian flag a criminal offence in Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinian artists began to circumvent the ban by using the watermelon because, when cut open, the fruit bears the national colours of the Palestinian flag — red, black, white and green. So, the humble watermelon became a representation of Palestinian resistance to this day.
“The failure of our leaders to back words with meaningful action is glaring. As the 1.4 million people in Rafah face attacks that our leaders know would be catastrophic, they must finally act to stop the slaughter.” Read the statement from thirty one UK NGO’s regarding Israel’s invasion of Rafa.
For the last 16 years at Amos Trust, May has meant getting on our bikes and hitting the road. This year, it will be ‘saddle sores and smiles’ as Chris Rose and Meg Williams from the Amos team will be riding Coast-to-Coast to raise funds for Gaza. Read the full story.
You asked, we listened. Our new Sumud merchandise is here! Sumud is an Arabic word that means ‘steadfastness’ or ‘steadfast perseverance’ and is a common term used to describe Palestinian non-violent resistance against Israel’s occupation. Grab yourself a T-shirt, Baseball shirt or Hoodie today. With worldwide shipping available. All profits go to our work in the West Bank and Gaza.
Musician Brian Eno said, “Palestinians are not asking you to save them. By calling for a boycott of Israel, they only ask you not to help Israel oppress them.” Chris Rose writes about Amos’ distinct view of Cultural Resistance and how we believe musicians, artists and writers have unique capital regarding boycotts.
Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
WC2A 2JR
UK
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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