03 July 2008
BEIRUT: Special songs and traditional dances broke down barriers and built friendships between Lebanese and Palestinian children at a special event organized by the humanitarian organization World Vision over the weekend to commemorate World Refugee Day. Approximately 300 children and youth from many Lebanese regions and several Palestinian refugee camps learned about one another's unique cultures during the celebration, Jiran bala Jidran (Neighbors Without Borders) at the UNESCO Palace.
"I wanted to show that Palestinians are good people," said Nihal, 13, a Palestinian refugee child. "I have participated in a traditional dance today."
"Since we cannot help the Palestinian Refugee children politically, we try to help them in other aspects," said a Lebanese child. "Today we have performed a song about children's rights."
Children from the Al-Buss, Nahr al-Bared, Beddawi, Dbayeh and Burj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camps, as well as Lebanese children from Marjayoun, Bcharre, Beirut, the Bekaa and Sidon participated in the event.
"Tolerance between children from all backgrounds, faiths and regions of Lebanon is one important way World Vision strives to bring hope to children," said Dalia Lakis from World Vision. "With Jiran bala Jidran, World Vision created an opportunity for Palestinian and Lebanese children and youth to learn to value, respect and understand each other and their cultures. In doing so, we hope to provide a foundation for peace."
During the event, children and youth wearing colorful costumes performed dances and sang songs that they had prepared ahead of time.
Over the past few weeks, Lebanese children involved in the project learned through videos and other tools about Palestinian refugee children and the challenges they face.
The event was part of World Vision's National Children's Council project, which gave children the opportunity to share their thoughts about issues that affect them and build relationships with children from different backgrounds.
World Vision has engaged in relief, development and advocacy work in Lebanon since 1975, and has had programs specially focused on the needs of refugees in Lebanon for 11 years. Currently, World Vision's work with refugees is focused on meeting the education needs of Palestinian refugees. - The Daily Star
Copyright The Daily Star 2008.
