Project name |
Non Violence and Agricultural Cooperation in Palestine |
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Location |
North of Hebron Governorate and Jordan Valley |
Grant No. |
Not Applicable |
Reporting period |
January-December /2015 |
Report compiled by |
The Director |
Date submitted |
25/1/2016 |
Summary
The project aims at promoting a culture of nonviolence and peace in France and Palestine, building the capacity of Palestinian communities to develop a grassroots of leadership in Palestine, and improving the standards of living of the Palestinian rural communities of Beit Ummar and Jordan Valley. This program was planned for 3 years, from 2014-2016. This report is about the second phase of the project; it describes the activities for the period that extends from January to December/2015. During this year the project is undergoing a number of activities that reinforcing the culture of nonviolence and resilience of farmers in their lands.
Content of Activities:
The activities involve advocacy for a just and durable peace, training for young people, training for women, support of agriculture, and cultural exchange for farmers.
Activities Outputs
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
Enhancing Palestinian rights to access their lands in area C-Save the Land Campaign |
Activity dates |
Planned: 15January-10 February 2015 Actual: 26 January-9 April 2015 |
Progress |
Planting. The organization (C4J) created a short video, designed to be used on its websites, social media sites, and to share with others about the problems faced by Beit Ummar farmers as a result of being surrounded by Israeli settlements, and the importance of Palestinian organizations working Together with international volunteers in non-violent actions. The C4J is being engaged in advocacy via social media by raising awareness of the problems which Beit Ummar farmers face in reaching their lands, and the problems posed by Israeli settlers. Partners: Jerusalem Fund, and MAN, See Annex A(Map) |
Outputs created |
Four campaigns have been achieved, 800 seedlings were planted and disseminated among 20 farmers, Fertilizers and agricultural equipment (Saws, and scissors) were distributed to 8 farmers |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yslHSf2oa80&feature=youtu.be
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
To enhance the leadership capacities of 15 youth from local community. |
Activity dates |
Planned: 1 February-20 March Actual: 7 February -28 March 2015 |
Progress |
Partners: Rhone Alpes, MAN |
Outputs created |
1-12 youth were trained on principles of nonviolence, dialogue, leading and managing campaigns. 2- A campaign was led and executed by the youth. |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
Enhancing Palestinian rights to access their lands in area Jordan Valley |
Activity dates |
Planned: 20th of Februaury Actual: 23rd of February |
Progress |
. Partners: MAN |
Outputs created |
1-Ten families received plants, and water tanks 2- 15 dunums of lands were surrounded by fences for protection of plants 3- 100 m of water pipes were extended |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
To enhance awareness of the problems facing rural women especially living in area C |
Activity dates |
Planned: 10March/2015 Actual: 3 March/2015 |
Progress |
A number of international volunteers attended and simultaneous interpretation was provided for them. Partners: Action Aid Australia, and MAN, |
Outputs created |
1- 170 women attended the conference 2- Interested organization s and International audience were able to see and to hear about the problems directly from the source 3- A committee was formulated to undergo another workshop to enhance women involvement in popular resistance. |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
To raise Palestinian voice against occupation measurements against area C |
Activity dates |
Planned: March 14th Actual: March 14th |
Progress |
Today; several popular events were carried out by committees of southern groups. Muheisen reported that a group of South committees went to open the gate of Jab'a and removed dirt barriers by shovels and agricultural equipment, and another group has planted olive trees in the south of Yatta (Al Masafer) and a third group had dislocated Gate East Efrat settlement and came to this events are all in the same time The Committees Coordinator in Hebron; Youssef Abu Marai, who was injured in one of these events, as well as other two activists Nasser Massallam and the committee coordinator in Yatta,Rateb Al jbour after being severely beaten were taken to a clinic. Partners: MAN |
Outputs created |
Demonstrations in different sites of South of West bank were held |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
To increase youth awareness in terms of legal situation of area C |
Activity dates |
Planned: 1 April/2015 Actual: 1 April/2015 |
Progress |
The workshop was established in Al-Aroub College, the participants were students from different areas including Beit Ummar, Sourif, Halhul, Al-Aroub camp, Hebron city and Bethlehem city. The number of participants was quite good; 50 students had come to join the workshop. The legal advisor Mr Mohammed Abu Rumilah has talked about the legal situation in Area C, the type of laws that Israeli government use to confiscate lands. He explained about what to do when receiving demolition and evacuation orders and how important to proceed in the procedures with layers to protect the land. Partners: MAN, and Norwegian Refugee Council |
Outputs created |
1-A workshop have been attended by 50 undergraduate students 2- Access to legal aid information has been Increased. |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
To increase knowledge of the participants in the north of Palestine areas |
Activity dates |
Planned: 16 May l/2015 Actual16 May /2015 |
Progress |
From Beit Ummar the buss proceed toward Genin to Haddad village, participants had time to enjoy the seen there and to have some rest before visiting the Palestinian cultural museum of history, which embodies the Palestinian history and dating important stages in the Palestinian cause. After that participants joined amusement Park near. The second to visit was Nablus – Al-Bidan waterfalls where participants on the way stopped to have lunch before continuing to the location. Participants enjoyed the nature, as water is running all over the place; water in this place keep moving all the year. Such a scene is amazing for most of Palestinian. The water come from the mountains down to Al- Bidan Valley; In the way going home we stopped to have Traditional Palestinian Konafa from Nablus; a sweet dish that you can’t miss once you visits the city of Nablus. Partners: MAN |
Outputs created |
1-22 participant were participated in the trip 2-Participants visited Jordan Valley, Jenin-Haddad Village, and Nablus |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
To enhance economic situation of farmers through land reclamation |
Activity dates |
Planned: 1June-30December/2015 Actual: 20 May-20 November/2015 |
Progress |
The activities included installation of 813 m of retaining walls, ploughing and cleaning the land from debris. Installation of 194 iron columns and. Digging a pool Remaining activities:
Partners: MAN, Beit Ummar’s Municipality, Apco Arcon for Construction and Services, and Private Donation |
Outputs created |
1-813 m of retaining walls were installed 2- 27 Dunums were ploughed and cleaned 3- 27 Dunums were ready for plantation |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
Research : it aimed to identify the current situation In Jordan Valley and to find out the priorities for the citizens living there |
Activity dates |
Planned: 1/6/2015 Actual: 7/6/2015 |
Progress |
Partners: MAN |
Outputs created |
1-Education: 1,020 Palestinians in Jordan Valley were interviewed regarding the education issue. From the 1,020 locals interviewed, 600 were female and 420 male. Also, 530 children ranging in age from 6 to 15 years were interviewed, being 280 girls and 250 boys. The main problem stated by teachers and students regarding the education issue in the Jordan Valley are: checkpoints, the distance between their homes and the schools, and the number of schools 2-Health 700 Palestinians from Jordan Valley were interviewed regarding the health issue. From the 700 locals interviewed, 400 were female and 300 male. The current lack of medical centres and emergency departments in marginalised communities and villages results in many cases of disease and death p>3-Sheperds:31 families in the Jordan Valley were interviewed to understand as much as possible about the situation of the shepherds and their families. The total number of people included in this research is 224. In total, those families owned the headcount of 3.290 sheep, in which 949 of them are black sheep and 2.341 are white sheep. The main problems are related to high costs of food, long distances the sheep walk to find food, and the low price of selling milk and cheese products. |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
The camp aimed to enhance leadership and confidence among young people who live under occupation |
Activity dates |
Planned: 1st of August Actual: 1st - 8th August 2015 |
Progress |
The youth also participated in a walking tour through the village where they visited different projects. Camp leaders explained the historical and political context of living in Beit Ummar as it is situated in Area C of the West Bank, which is controlled by the Israeli military authorities. Around 200 parents and friends attended the camp’s festival at the end of the camp, held on 10 August, where the achievements of each child was being acknowledged and celebrated. Officials from the Ministry of Education and international volunteers also participated. Performances included Dabka dancing, drama and singing. Each child was given a bag as a gift and the camp leaders received a certificate by staff of CFJ. Partners: MAN, Private Donation, Coca Cola Company |
Outputs created |
Empowerment of 60 children, raising awareness and learning self-respect and confidence through different activities |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
Youth Training/ study trip: Local students, farmer and engineer visit France with the aim of studying farming practices in culture as well as in cheese manufacturing |
Activity dates |
Planned: 14th of September Actual: 14th - 26th September, 2015 |
Progress |
Partners: MAN, and AFPS |
Outputs created |
Four farmers gain new knowledge regarding agricultural issues |
Activity dates |
Planned: 19th of October Actual: 19th October – 24th of October |
Progress |
They were shown around the area of Beit Ummar and taken to a farmer and his wife who are involved in the local food production. Since the Center for Freedom and Justice cooperates with the Jordan Valley Solidarity (JVS), the French delegation visited the Jordan Valley and spent two days there. They visited a Women's Cooperative, spoke to local farmers as well as to families and went to see a cheese factory. Having come back to Beit Ummar on Friday, they have the opportunity to visit municipality on Saturday where, among others, the mayor, the former mayor and the director of the municipality welcomed our French guests and the relationship between the French organizations and the civil society of Beit Ummar was strengthened. Partners: Rhone Alpes, MAN and AFPS |
Outputs created |
Strengthening the relationship between French organizations and the Center for Freedom and Justice for ongoing future co-operation |
Status |
Achieved |
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Objective |
Planting Campaign “One Million Tree Campaign”: to enhance Palestinian rights to access their lands in area C |
Activity dates |
Planned: 15th of October Actual: 30th October - 15th November, 2015 |
Progress |
Together with local volunteers and with the sun shining upon the workers, apricots, quinces and peaches, grapes were planted. Partners: Palestinian Voluntary Work Committee ( PVWC ), Arab group for protection of nature, Sisters of Valence |
Outputs created |
2200 seedlings were planted on the land near Road 60 |
Partners & Stakeholders
The following table summarizes our relationship with key partners and stakeholders during the reporting period:
Stakeholder |
Relationship update |
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Activity-1- Local Authorities |
A representative from their side was able to attend the campaign of planting trees near Biet Ayen, the press cover the event and as it was published on the national TV. |
Activiy2- CBO Surif Educational Forum |
A group of youth from Surif shared in the training. The CBO was also able to host the training for one session in their center |
Activity-4- Representative from Tobas Governorate, Sharek Forum, CBO’s from Beit Ummar, Sruif, Popular Committee, and Democratic Women Movement from Ableen in Galilee |
Representatives from all of these groups had the chance to participate in the women conference and leading the dialogue, or sharing in the workshop, or as audience. Our partners; JVS hosted the conference in Jordan Valley; they have done all the arrangements required to host the guests. |
Activity-5- Popular Committee |
The popular committee from South of West Bank participated in nonviolent actions in different areas in South of West Bank including Yatta, and Jab’a |
Activity-6- Al Aroub College, Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign |
A workshop in the college about the legal situation of Area C was done in the college were they invited their students to attend the workshop. They were very open for such activities and welcomed any future cooperation. |
Activity-10- Office of Education / north of Hebron-Ministry of Education |
The summer camp activities’ took place in the Girl’s Elementary School after having a consent from the directorate office, they sent a representative to attend the festival that was held at the end of the camp. |