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Middle East Peace Camp

http://www.middleeastpeacecamp.org

How do you come together and share a resource?

The Middle East Peace Camp is a collaborative endeavor of members from the Arab and Jewish communities and people committed to peace in the Middle East. Following September 11th the organization was created in Seattle by a diverse group of concerned mothers who believed in Gandhi’s approach that, “If we are to have real peace we must begin with the children.” It is our belief that when people meet and get to know each other, many of the barriers that divide us will dissipate. By creating a space where Arab, Jewish and other interested people can exchange cultures and build friendships, understanding, and compassion, we encourage partnerships that will foster social and political change needed to achieve peace between Arab and Jewish people.

Through joining together as a community and cooperatively creating art we develop a mutual sense of cultural understanding; our most valuable resource. Every year MEPC develops a week-long summer day camp for 30-60 children aged 4-12 and 15-30 teenage counselors along with many additional volunteers. Throughout the years we have come together in a variety of ways. In 2002 we produced the Peace Tree Play using songs and dances from our unique cultures, in 2006 the Olive Tree Peace Mosaic was unveiled, and in 2009 every camper built a culture book with poems, raps, drawings and paintings that reflected their personal culture. MEPC continues to touch the lives of all involved from grandparents to the youngest children. Our greatest strength is in blending the lines of cultural and political divide.

How would your group use the award money?

The Middle East Peace Camp is an entirely volunteer run organization and is primarily funded through donations. Our operating costs include space rental for the one week of camp, supply purchases including those for our diverse art projects, field trips for campers, food, and financing, year-round activities for the community which include celebrating holidays, responding to political developments, and discussing community and Middle-Eastern issues.

The award money would be essential to our organization which locates funding on a year by year basis. A major component of our mission is to provide scholarships for campers and/or counselors who are unable to afford the enrollment fee. MEPC provides an invaluable service to the Seattle community and is cherished by those who are involved. Therefore, the award money would ensure our continuation by covering a majority of our annual costs and will allow us to provide more scholarships to children and counselors.

Also, MEPC currently has the opportunity to produce the musical: Abraham’s Land, that is a collaboration between Lauren Marshall and Hana Eady, two local Jewish and Arab community members. The play is set in Israel/Palestine and looks at the intersection of two family’s lives that reflect the common history of Arabs and Jews. It was first performed in 1992, then later at Seeds of Peace. MEPC would produce this musical using our campers, counselors and parents, allowing us to share this with a much wider audience than our camp is able to reach. Award money may be used in the production of Abraham’s Land.