A reporter with one of the most-listened to and highly-regarded radio programmes in the country is looking for uplifting community development stories. He’s particularly interested in stories from the North-West and border counties for some reason. Give us a shout (061-458011) or email (editor@changingireland.ie) and we’ll put you in contact.
C’MON FOLKS! – AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE GOOD THAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR AREA!

IN MEMORY OF PEACEMAKER JULIANO MER KHAMIS

Juliano Mer Khamis (pictured) was an Israeli actor and peace activist who ran a drama project in a Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin, the West Bank. He was assassinated on Monday outside the theatre he founded which had brought Israelis and Palestinians together.
One year ago, Changing Ireland Community Media Ltd’s chairperson, Gearoid Fitzgibbon, then a reporter for our magazine project, worked in Palestine as a volunteer.
In memory of the late Juliano Mer Khamis, we republish Gearoid’s article which focused on a camera project involving Israeli and Palestinian youths. 
The article is also available online in PDF format at: https://changingireland.ie/Issue32.pdf 
Lessons in Community Work – Gearoid Fitzgibbon reports from Hebron

PHOTO (ABOVE): Gearoid Fitzgibbon in a classroom with boys in Palestine.
If you think of Israel/Palestine, your first image may not be of a Community Centre in the heart of the occupation, jointly funded and run by a group of Israelis and Palestinians.

Mich’ael Zupraner is a Harvard graduate and Israeli documentary maker. For nearly 2 years he has shared his skills in Hebron with other Palestinians and Israelis to oppose the occupation. Here, in the middle of Hebron, with its checkpoints, detentions, house searches and army patrols, Mich’ael, and local Hebronite, Issa Amro, a lecturer in Electrical Engineering, have worked to develop an innovative community project right next to an Israeli settlement. They and a group of committed Palestinian and Israeli nonviolent activists set up a community centre and community television station (www.heb2.tv) in an ‘ordinary’ house in Tel Rumeida, in Hebron, that Israeli settlers were planning to take over.

According to Mich’ael “The principal idea is to empower members of community to communicate outwards. This part of directly occupied Hebron (H2), is under political, economic and cultural closure and few people on the outside get to see or hear what is happening here.”

As someone with a background as a volunteer and latterly paid community worker in Ireland, the centre in Tel Rumeida is an inspiration. The activists are training and empowering the community of Tel Rumeida, how to resist the occupation nonviolently, and deal with the intimidation of the soldiers and armed settlers. If the residents respond aggressively it only serves as an excuse for further harassment. The Heb 2 Community House offers training in nonviolence, video editing, and foreign languages to young and old members of the local community.

JUST BEING THERE IS RESISTING

The very existence of the Heb 2 Community House, in itself, is an achievement. Located at a strategic point, near one of the Israeli settlements, in a Palestinian neighbourhood, the house was occupied by the Israeli army in 2001, at beginning of 2nd Intifada, or uprising. The owner, originally from Jerusalem, was told that he would lose his Jerusalem residency if he stayed. When the army finally left in 2005, the house lay in ruins.

In 2007, local activist Issa Amro, concerned that a group of settlers would take over the house, met the owner, and offered to rent the house, and keep it from being occupied. With support from Israeli Human Rights organisations (B’Tselem and the Israeli Council Against House Demolitions – one of the organisations funded by Irish Aid), the activists managed to get the tenancy recognoised in the Israeli counts. The settlers tried to scare them off. The army even detained Issa saying he wasn’t allowed to be there, despite having all the correct legal papers.

Eventually, when they finally managed to move in, they found themselves under constant attack by the settlers. The would-be community house had to be monitored 24 hours per day, to prevent it being destroyed or burned. Settlers, armed with M16s, had to be physically blocked by the local Palestinians, supported by Israeli activists, armed only with cameras. With a grant from an Israeli NGO, a group of Israelis and Palestinians renovated the house. It is only in the last 18 months, that the attacks have decreased to the level of verbal argument.

FROM DERELICT HOUSE TO COMMUNITY CENTRE

With the house now becoming a more secure base, those involved began to discuss how to use it. According to Issa, from the very beginning the idea was to have a space open to all the community. Although the House now has huge support from the community, at the beginning every one said that it was impossible. People felt powerless to change the nature of the occupation, and thought that the Israeli army would punish them more because of it.

Within a short time of my arriving in Hebron in August 2009, it was clear to me that something very innovative and brave was going on here. Issa asked me to help out and over the next 2 months, and together with another human rights volunteer (an American Jewish man originally from New York) we ran English classes with the local children there. As part of this, we set up an exchange with Villiers School in Limerick City, and the young students recorded a tour of their area in English. (see ‘teamhebron’ videos on youtube). Since then, the young people I taught have gone on to start a film and video class with documentary maker Micha’el.

COUNTERING MAINSTREAM MEDIA DISTORTION

Speaking to Mich’ael, I am surprised to discover that he does not see himself as an activist: “I am NOT an activist. The occupation is the defining circumstance of Israelis and Palestinians’ lives. I am lucky that I have the possibility to do something practical to directly affect the situation.“

Mich’ael is highly critical of what he calls the virtualisation of the conflict, in a way that could apply to conflicts in Ireland also: “There is too much symbolic action in the West Bank, and a virtualisation of the conflict takes place. The media coverage overwhelms what is actually happening on the ground. It’s become a sort of public relations war. You are merely producing images for the media. It becomes all about spokesmanship and not the reality.”

The Heb 2 Community House, Mich’ael stressed, was not about making vain symbolic gestures: “Most video activism is just videoing of demonstrations. This project isn’t a demonstration, or a symbolic act, like holding up a sign. What we’re doing in Tel Rumeida isn’t a photo op. Here in Tel Rumeida, we are giving concrete skills to the community, communication skills, videoing skills etc.”

ARABS AND JEWS CELEBRATE COMMUNITY WORK

New Year’s Eve 2009. Tel Rumeida, Hebron. Instead of the usual deathly silence, and climate of fear which pervades the neighbourhood, the cold air is set alight by the sound of music and dance in the garden in front of the Heb 2 Community House. A group of former Israeli soldiers are dancing arm in arm with the local Palestinian activists. The Israelis, founder members of Breaking The Silence, (a group of ex-soldiers who have collected testimonies on the behaviour of the Israeli Army in the West Bank) have been invited to celebrate the first year in existence of Heb 2 Community House. A P.A. system has been set up, and Issa Amro calls over the microphone, and one by one, Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals, come and accept a small gift of thanks from the community. There must be over 100 people here tonight, Palestinians, Israelis, and Internationals, Christian, Muslim, Jewish and nonbeliever.  When peace at last is created in this beautiful land, these people here will be among its heros. But how long more will they have to travel? As with South Africa, international solidarity with the peace makers is crucial. Find a way, any way you can, to contribute to the peacebuilding of these people.

* To volunteer visit www.eappi.org OR to find out more, contact Gearoid. E: fitzgibbong@gmail.com

M: 0857409023.

SHOOTING BACK – A CAMERA DISTRIBUTION PROJECT

Issa Amro and Mich’ael Zupraner founded the ground-breaking camera distribution project in Hebron. In March 2007, Mich’ael and Issa gave out cameras to neighbours in Tel Rumeida. The first cameras were purchased by an Israeli group called Children of Abraham. This group asked Mich’ael to buy cameras, and come and train people to use them. “We gave cameras to people initially to document their suffering, and harassment by settlers or soldiers. But of course, people also filmed birthdays, weddings, and celebrations!” Now, there are dozens of cameras in Hebron.

According to Issa: “These cameras are a tool to document the human rights abuses and improve people’s security and safety. At the same time, they allow the Palestinians here to express how they live.”

SHOOTING BACK – A CAMERA DISTRIBUTION PROJECT

Issa Amro and Mich’ael Zupraner founded the ground-breaking camera distribution project in Hebron. In March 2007, Mich’ael and Issa gave out cameras to neighbours in Tel Rumeida. The first cameras were purchased by an Israeli group called Children of Abraham. This group asked Mich’ael to buy cameras, and come and train people to use them. “We gave cameras to people initially to document their suffering, and harassment by settlers or soldiers. But of course, people also filmed birthdays, weddings, and celebrations!” Now, there are dozens of cameras in Hebron.

According to Issa: “These cameras are a tool to document the human rights abuses and improve people’s security and safety. At the same time, they allow the Palestinians here to express how they live.”

PICTURED ABOVE: Lucy.
‎”It’s not all about the horses,” says Adeline O’Brien of Cherry Orchard Equine Centre. Watch our 2 min interview with Adeline here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/changingireland#p/u/0/0T1qBS9xxtA
The project is 8 years old, caters for 650 young people from Ballyfermot and is part-funded through the Local and Community Development Programme.

 PICTURED ABOVE: A young volunteer, one of the youngest in Ireland!

 PICTURED ABOVE: Two young volunteers

 PICTURED ABOVE: the indoor arena. Outside there is another arena, a gallop track and 12 acres for grazing.

 PICTURED ABOVE: Adeline O’Brien, the boss.

PICTURED ABOVE: Staff members at reception

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]
‘CHANGING IRELAND’s Allen Meagher was interviewed about rolex daytona uomo 40mm skeleton limited edition tonalita oro rosa automatico the anti-Traveller Facebook sites on Radio Kerry this alexander mcqueen 76188 fashion bracelets morning. Click here for a listen (6 mins): https://changingireland.ie/RadioKerryInterviewRacistSites.m4a[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

If you’re a community worker wrecking your head over how to get people involved in activities, check out page 13 of the latest issue as well as the following:

[ED’S NOTE – THIS REPORT HERE IS ADDITIONAL TO THE COVERAGE IN OUR LATEST PRINT EDITION ABOUT A PILOT PROJECT FOR PARENTS IN LIMERICK].

A “youth club for grown-ups”

– a volunteer/participant view

Helen Ring is a local parent and community volunteer with the Time Out Club in Our Lady of Lourdes/Weston, a successful pilot scheme that that could be copied by any community (there’s a template available).

She told ‘Changing Ireland’:

– The group named the project themselves.

– They decide at the beginning what activities they’d like to do.

– The age-range is from 20-57 and the door is open to anyone.

– It really develops your confidence.

– It’s the only new group to form in recent times in our community.

– The participants don’t pay for anything.

“There are 17 in the group now and we find it great, relaxing, a way of getting out of the house,” said Helen. “It’s especially important now with the recession to get a break, it’s time out for ourselves and it’s whatever we want to do that counts.”

“Everything we do now is a one-off and we’re always trying something new, every week – anything from hairdressing lessons to canvas printing to guest-talks – it’s a youth club for grown ups,” said Helen.

One of the more unusual things the women learned how to do was to make small rocking-chairs for children.

They’ve also had a child-expert in to run a course called ‘Cool Talking’ which has done wonders for relations between mothers and their teenagers: “I’ve two teenage girls and an 11-year-old son and an older son who’s getting married soon.

“Now I’ve learned to listen and talk rather than going in screaming! One woman says her son has become tidier because of her doing that course and we’ve all become better listeners. I’d recommend this course even for young parents.”

“Every community should have a time-out club for its women. Just try it!”

Helen does so much volunteering that her neighbours think she’s got a paid job. An example of one small thing she does is every Tuesday she sends out a reminder text to parents about the Time Out Club. Small things matter!

See further coverage on page 13 of our Spring 2011 issue (click here!).

CAPTION: Time Out Club members.

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]The SPRING EDITION of ‘Changing Ireland’ has just been published online (click here for a pdf)! The print version will be out later this week.

Inside, we’ve 24 pages of coverage on:

• 5000 TÚS ‘JOBS’ on the way nationwide through the LCDP
• FINE GAEL PLANS for communities
• ANTI-RACISM update
• MEDIATION saves lives and money (in Mayo)
• PILOT delivers (for parents)
• VOLUNTEER interview (Patsy Cronin)
• COMMUNITY RESILIENCE training (Editor’s recommended top read on page 23)
• PARTY promises – 5 pages rolex day date 40mm mens m228236 0012 stainless steel president bracelet on what the parties promised communities
• News report: GARDA cuts crime by texting
• COMMUNITY Services Programme profiled
• HORACE – EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD NEWS FOR IRELAND!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

FIND OUT NOW!

“You may not be responsible for being down, but you must be responsible for getting up. Don’t let anything break your spirit. Forward ever, backward never,” said Jesse Jackson.

We’ve compiled a contacts database of staff throughout the Local and Community Development Programme and it’s ALL HERE (meaning if you click here you’ll download the full Excel document):

If you’re looking to contact all the rural social scheme staff in the Programme, this should help. It doesn’t matter who you’re looking for – we’ve them all listed: LCDP staff working with YOUTH, JOBS CLUBS, MEDIATION, FINANCE, ETC. You’ll find them here on our database.

Note: The database is 85% complete – if your Local Development Company’s listing is incomplete please fill out this form and return it to us!

– Allen Meagher, editor/manager, ‘Changing Ireland’.

What has your community project been doing for people isolated in the snow and bad weather? Have you any ideas to share?

Last week, the Community Minister wrote to hundreds of community groups funded through the Local and Community Development Programme urging them to “keep in regular contact with people who may find themselves housebound to ensure that they have sufficient supplies of food and heat etc.”

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey said “if other interventions are required, the relevant local statutory agency e.g. the HSE should be contacted immediately so that the necessary help and assistance can be obtained.”

A lot of groups would already have been helping out in various ways, as projects did in Cork during the floods and subsequent water shortages last year.

Minister Carey in his letter described the assistance by community groups as “invaluable” and said the community sector is “uniquely placed” to help out.

The media only pick up on weather-related deaths on the roads, but who knows how many people have died quietly in their homes from the cold or related illnesses this year.

Let us know if you’ve ideas for helping people out that other community groups could emulate or copy!

Email: editor@changingireland.ie or comment below here.