BS: The Quest for Smile

Subject: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 08:45 PM

I have a friend who lives in Gaza, and works with children there. He is trying to help raise money for an after school program featuring music, dance, puppets, folklore, and other things for the children of Al-Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza. The event is supposed to be held on October 3rd. He just sent out an emergency appeal, so they probably don't yet have enough money. Here is the fund raising appeal for the event...

http://www.artistsagainstapartheid.org/?p=761


Anyone who would like to bring a little joy into the lives of some children who sorely need it is encouraged to help out with a contribution.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: bobad
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 09:07 PM

Some of the hundreds of millions of dollars that Arafat stole from the people of Gaza would sure come in handy. Maybe your friend could try asking his widow for a donation.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 09:18 PM

How perfectly evil to punish children for crimes committed by adults over whom they have no control.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 09:43 PM

bobad, I think your comment is crass.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 09:55 PM

That was uncalled for, bobad.

Thanks for the link. It sounds like a wonderful project.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 11:29 PM

Here's some pictures of my friend, Ayman, and some of the children he works with...

Ayman

Children 1

Children 2

Children 3

Children 4

Children 5

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 01:10 AM

Great photos, Carol C.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 08:14 AM

If you see someone without a smile, give them one of your own.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 11:44 AM

Yep. You'll never miss it.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 07:10 PM

Here's a great picture of Ayman and one of the children he works with...

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/32/l_d92ef8311b4545438938dcdde7c387c0.jpg


There's a great video of the kids having a holiday concert/dance celebration that I wanted to post, but people wouldn't be able to view it unless they belonged to facebook and possibly joined the group where it's posted.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 06:08 PM

They weren't able to have the event when it was originally scheduled. They are still in need of about $250 to make it happen. They are hoping for next week. Ayman seems disappointed, but hopeful.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 02:45 PM

The event was held, and it looks like it was a big success. They didn't have enough money to do everything they wanted to do, but the children seemed to enjoy it nevertheless. Here are some pictures of the event...

Children 1

Children 2

Children 3

Children 4

Children 5

Children 6

Children 7

Children 8

Children 9


Ayman tells me that they have paid the videographer some of his fee, but that they still need $80 to pay him the rest of what they owe him. They would be grateful for any help they can get with that, because they want to get the video processed so they can use it to help them with their fund raising activities. They are very grateful for the help they received already and Ayman says, "Thank you" to all who helped. If they are able to get the video processed and put online, I will post it in this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 01:29 PM

More news from Ayman. He has received a scholarship to a university in Spain to get his masters degree in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies, and he has been granted a Spanish student visa, but the governments of Israel and Egypt aren't allowing any students to leave Gaza to study abroad. This is an academic boycott of the worst kind. Please sign the petition below, and spread the word. We need people like Ayman and the work he does, and he needs to broaden his education so he can do more than he is able to do now. ...

http://www.petitiononline.com/salam123/petition.html

Subject: RE: BS: The Quest for Smile
From: CarolC
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:20 PM

Fantastic news for Ayman. After a huge effort on the part of hundreds of people, Ayman is now in Spain working on his masters degree. Here's more background on how these events unfolded...


http://www.blueplanetgreenliving.com/2010/02/08/shedding-light-on-injustice-in-gaza/

http://peaceforgaza.blogspot.com/2010/02/from-darkness-to-light-gaza-to.html


Yay!