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AEI-Open Windows Visitors
Twente University Women's Group Visit
30th October – 6th November 2006
From
30th October – 6th
November 2006 AEI-Open Windows received a
women’s group of Twente University in the
Netherlands. The group was supposed to be led by
Mr. Cees Kuyvenhoven but we were deeply saddened
to hear that a sudden severe lung cancer was
fatal to him. Mr Kuyvenhoven was our central
contact in the previous two journeys organized
by Twente University and we mourn his passing
away.
The
group consisted of ten women, mostly university
students. As usual they were hosted at
Palestinian families from Bethlehem.
The
program included tour visits to the Nativity
Church, Bethlehem Museum, Aida Refugee Camp,
Shepherd's Fields in Bethlehem, the Hortus
Conclusus Monastery and Artas Heritage Centre in
the village of Artas south of Bethlehem,
Abraham's tomb and the city of Hebron,
Jerusalem, Ramallah and Bir Zeit (a village to
the North of Ramallah), as well as the Mount of
Temptation, the Dead Sea and other important
sites in Jericho.
There
were also organized meetings with Mrs. Minerva
Jaraysah (Palestinian Working Woman Society for
Development) about the role and situation of
Palestinian women in the region, Dr. Jad Ishak (Arij
Centre) about the Wall and the settlements, the
Anastas family (including a member of the AEI
women's group facing the Wall on three sides)
about the hard experience of this family; a
meeting with the AEI women's group about the
position and role of women in Palestine and
Holland, and a meeting with the AEI parents
group to hear about women and non-violence.
There was also a meeting with a Palestinian
women's organization advocating women's
participation in democracy and politics and
grassroots actions. The Dutch women met with the
AEI general director to talk about the current
political situation in the area, and with Mr.
Abdallah Abu Rahmah to hear about the
inter-religious activities in the Living in the
Holy Land: Respecting Differences project of the
AEI. The group had further meetings with the
Jerusalem Link (Palestinian and Israeli Women
for Peace), Machsum Watch, and Beate Zilversmidt
(leader of Gush Shalom, of Dutch background),
organized through a partner of IKV in Jerusalem.
The
program of the Dutch group went through good and
sad times, especially considering the shocking
news of the passing away of Mr. Cees Kuyvenhoven
who was supposed to lead this group as he had
led other groups in the past. The AEI, the Dutch
women and the hosting families held a prayer for
him and planted an olive tree for his memory in
the AEI garden.
On
the other hand, the group enjoyed their time
because of all the knowledge and experiences
gained. The women learned a peace song in the
Arabic language and a little bit of Palestinian
folkloric dancing (dabkah). The women
were touched and influenced by the spirit, love
and caring of AEI and the hosting families. They
learned many other things and got motivated to
convey, after returning home, the Palestinian
reality in both its sides; the dark side of
violations of human rights (including the rights
of women) and the bright side including the
spirit of sumud (resilience),
perseverance and hope for a better future of
one’s country. |
