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Title: World Congress of Youth in Israel
Location:
Categories: Children’s Rights
Status:
In Progress
Timeline:
Ongoing
Description:
The Jane Goodall Institute of Israel Roots & Shoots Peace Conference for Youth
The first session of the World Congress of Youth of Israel/Palestine was held in soutern Lebanons Ragar village. The days were terribly rainy yet excitement was in the air from weeks of preparation. Itai Roffman, Yomna Azieh & Salah Kadah (Roots & Shoots Israel youth congress coordinators) have met several times with Ragar village council members to find ways to help the hundreds of children and youths of the village find hope in their tragic state and give them reason for joy.
On Thursday the 23rd of January, Itai, together with Ragar Village Council Community Youth Center Director Mr. Bassam Khatib, went through the Israeli Army border-line barrier, from Israel to Lebanon. Itai handed over his ID Card to the soldiers and signed a security document, all at gunpoint. Crossing from the Israeli side of Ragar to the Lebanese side where the community center is situated. There he met with the principal of the village Elementary School and presented the Jane Goodall Institute Peace Project to the council and immediately a partnership was made. With a handshake they knew that they were taking an unprecedented positive step in the region.
That evening the young Ragar village Roots & Shoots congress members herd a lecture about the structure of the program and how important it is, not only for the children of the village, but to also inspire youth around the world by these actions. The evening ended with a talk about our brother the non-human great apes who in captivity share a striking resemblance to the situation of the village – lack of respect, rights, freedom and enrichment. The youth found Koko, the American Sign Language gorilla as a great ambassador for the truth about our brothers and have agreed to support the great ape basic personhood act.
The next day was even more spectacular, with the start of the Roots & Shoots Childrens Peace Summit. After speeches from council representatives, JGI/R&S, World Congress of Youth & TUNZA, peace songs were sung and all the children divided up into workshops dealing with various subjects: making a Giant Peace Dove, discussing the importance of peace, humanitarian aid and the wishes of the children for the new-year ahead. Each group wrote a report and that was compiled into a declaration agreed upon by all.
After the Peace Dove was finished the declaration was read out loud and a children's peace accord was signed between the three nations (using colored hand prints). Everyone was so happy about the beautiful dove and great achievements of the conference!
Lastly the Peace Dove was taken across the three borders: Israel, Lebanon & Syria!!!
Please help with this appeal by the youth of Ragar: 700 children and youths need your friendship today!
International Appeal To Help The Children & Youth of Ragar
“The Only Way To Peace”
Life for children & youth in the local council of Syrian Ragar village (a population of nearly 2,000) has become unbearable. The village is an army zone surrounded by fence, and its inhabitants live in a prison-like camp. Dealers and retailers are afraid to enter the village. Villagers are tired of all the border patrols of the Israeli army questioning them and treating them like terrorists every time they want to exit the village to work or study on the Israeli side. The reality of their village life is cut in half, one side Lebanon the other Israel. A barrier between families is soon to come. In 1967 the village was takenover by Israel from Syria, since then the villagers have become refugees in Israel & Lebanon. Farm land has been taken from them, kids play in meadows of land mines and when the rains come mines get washed down the streets. When Lebanese Hizbollah army fires missiles and rockets at Israeli warplanes it falls and hits the village, the kids get hysterical and windows get broken, no one helps rebuild the damage, no pshychologists treat the kids. With very little to do they walk the streets of their village cage.
Partnerships In Understanding: If these kids and youths are to become caring, peace loving individuals they need your help today. These kids are building "Giant Peace Doves" and flying them through Lebanon to Israel and Syria, yet this is only a small glimmer of hope in a tragic childhood. These kids want to play soccer and learn about the environment, they want to have extra curricular activities, but no one dares enter the village to do so. They want to be happy, they will be happy if we show these children and youths that we care about them and help them find enrichment and joy in a war torn land.
Please, help the 530 kids of Ragar village, by sending them letters of friendship and support, donations for making their school a better place to study in. Help them with games, maps, books, presents anything that can make them feel better and give them hope. Violence happens when tolerance ends, it’s time to create peace! The youth want to take part in environmental activities, help preserve natural resources, clean up their village and plant trees. For this we need your kind support.
Kids and grownups alike, you CAN make a difference in the lives of these youth. It’s time to help our brothers in need.
The village of Ragar joined the Jane Goodall Institute Peace Program as a last resort to help these children of Syria find reason for hope.
Objectives:
help these children of Syria find reason for hope.
Needs:
Everyone can support this humanitarian project as they wish - petitions to GO/NGOs, school supplies, toys, aid, funds, contacts etc.
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