Children Escape Mideast Violence to Find Haven of Peace in Texas
Episcopal News Service. August 8, 2002 [2002-189]
Thomas Blanton, Assistant Editor of the Texas Episcopalian, newspaper of the Diocese of Texas
(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."
More information on the program and a selection of photos are available at www.kids4peace.org.