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26 May 04 - 05:18 PM (#1194529) Subject: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: mg In another thread I suggested that we do this, and I said that I would put in $50. I bet for several hundred dollars a very modest playground could be built if we just donate some materials. I know there are organizations that could do this but I do not know how to evaluate some of them to make sure they are not involved in any way with terrorism. I think Save the Children might be OK. If anyone on the ground over there knows, please check in and tell us the best way to do this. I will try to post a link to some of the childrens' writings about the need for playgrounds over there. I am just thinking of a couple of swings (old inner tubes perhaps, because any playground is going to be short of space I presume, and you don't want them to get hit in the head with sharp swings.., simple things. mg |
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26 May 04 - 05:30 PM (#1194533) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: GUEST hahahahahayahahhahahahaahaha like any of that money would go to a layground. it would end up in the pockets of the corrupt politicians. |
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26 May 04 - 05:31 PM (#1194534) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: mg Hi, my name is Riham. I'm 12 years old. I am writing this letter to every person who thinks himself responsible on the children's right. We, the children in Lebanon living in the camps, don't want more than the rights that are given to the animals in Europe. Help us to live in dignity. Riham, age 12, Lebanon June 2001 This is from the Eye to Eye Save the Children site...mg |
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26 May 04 - 05:31 PM (#1194536) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: CarolC It's pretty difficult to play in a playground when there's a curfew on in your village and/or camp, and they're using live amunition on anyone who breaks it. Or when you've just put up your playground and it gets flattened by a bulldozer (along with your house). Ah, but what the hell... let them eat cake. |
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26 May 04 - 05:32 PM (#1194537) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: mg Surely someone living in Israel can provide us with contacts to assure any money would be spent wisely. mg |
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26 May 04 - 05:33 PM (#1194538) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: mg Better to have something and have it get flattened, and rebuild it, than never to have it. I am not proposing anything magnificient...mg |
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26 May 04 - 05:34 PM (#1194540) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: CarolC Lebanon and Palestine are not the same place. Maybe it would do some good in the refugee camps in Lebanon. |
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26 May 04 - 05:35 PM (#1194542) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: CarolC Better to have something and have it get flattened, and rebuild it, than never to have it. I am not proposing anything magnificient...mg Sure, Mary. But maybe helping them keep their houses would be more appreciated. |
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26 May 04 - 05:35 PM (#1194543) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: Justa Picker when there's a curfew on in your village and/or camp, and they're using live amunition on anyone who breaks it. Or when you've just put up your playground and it gets flattened by a bulldozer ... and WHY is that, Carol? ... |
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26 May 04 - 05:39 PM (#1194544) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: CarolC ... and WHY is that, Carol? ... To complete the process of ethnic cleansing that the European settlers and the government of Israel began in the 1940s and '50s. To make the Palestinian's lives so bloody miserable that they'll leave on thier own. |
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26 May 04 - 05:40 PM (#1194545) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: Justa Picker Yeah. Right Carol. |
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26 May 04 - 05:41 PM (#1194546) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: CarolC I knew you'd agree. |
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26 May 04 - 05:41 PM (#1194547) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: mg Please start another thread to discuss the whys and wherefores. I fail to believe that hundreds of people worldwide can't raise $200 and find a way to get it to needy people. mg |
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26 May 04 - 05:44 PM (#1194550) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: CarolC Good luck Mary. I hope you do some good. |
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26 May 04 - 06:41 PM (#1194574) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: brid widder A kind thought Mary but this is from the Save the Children site:- 'The majority of normal programmes being carried out by Save the Children in the affected areas have been suspended, and the office is now having to concentrate on a humanitarian emergency response, which includes provision of medical supplies. Save the Children will visit communities to assess immediate needs, such as access to adequate food and water. Save the Children and UNICEF are planning to work together to address the longer term impact on children of this violence.' A programme on UK TV last night looked at the lives of Palestinian children...tanks were seen firing at children throwing stones at the bulldozers which had flattened their homes, we saw a boy who had beeen shot, he died...one 11 year old boy wanted to be a martyr, a 12 year old girl had lost 10 members of her family... several younger than her, a little girl... about 6 years old... lived in Gaza 5 miles from the sea which she had only seen once , an Israeli settlement had been built between the camp where she lives and the sea and all the roads closed. The life of these children is unspeakable...during the making of the film the cameraman.. James Miller, was killed. |
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26 May 04 - 06:58 PM (#1194583) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: McGrath of Harlow "Better to have something and have it get flattened, and rebuild it, than never to have it." Quite right, Mary. It's lighting a candle instead of just cursing the darkness. It's telling some children and their parents, living in a desperate situation, that there are some friendly people out there beyond the tanks and the high walls. Even if the playground only lasts a short time before being destroyed, a short time can be a long time in a child's life. Maybe it might even somehow contribute to someone not feeling that the only thing they can do is throw away their lives and the lives of strangers as a suicide bomber. One casualty of the Gaza events over the past days was the little local zoo, which was destroyed by Israeli tanks. That was sad, but at least for the last few years the children did have that, and they didn't have much else. |
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27 May 04 - 12:33 AM (#1194624) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: dianavan Mary - Your thoughts are very sweet. Have you ever met a child who has grown up in generations of war? Their games are a far cry from what our children know. Most of them don't even know how to play. |
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27 May 04 - 06:27 AM (#1194770) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: McGrath of Harlow "Most of them don't even know how to play." The remarkable thing actually is that most of them do. Human beings are amazingly resilient. Heartbreakingly so. |
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27 May 04 - 02:10 PM (#1195250) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: Mrrzy Hey, anybody else hear about the Gaza zoo? |
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27 May 04 - 08:57 PM (#1195517) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: dianavan Mc Grath - I was basing that statement on my experience with Vietnamese children who had been through refugee camps. The kids I met could play, but most of their 'games' were not the innocent games of childhood. These kids had alot of 'street smarts' and seemed like they were 7 going on 18. Sure they were still kids and needed comfort but their 'play' had to be carefully supervised and in fact, many had to be taught how to play appropriately. When your whole life has been one of survival, 'fair' has very little meaning and play is rough and aggressive. |
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27 May 04 - 09:07 PM (#1195522) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: Peace Mary, I think your idea is beautiful. Could we please leave the politics outta this? Screw politics, for once. I will help look. There has to be a way. Bruce M |
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25 Jun 04 - 04:30 PM (#1214389) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: mg Let's go for it, however small. I have about $140. Can anyone chip in $10 or so? I know $200 here in the US would put together something simple, and that is all I am thinking..some ropes and tires for a few swings, maybe a tether ball..we have to think of what can be done with no money, from afar (unless someone over there can help) and in small spaces, and subject to being destroyed sooner or later. I know lots of people, and I am one, are broke...can you donate a used CD for others to buy? Also, if you are more inclined to donate food, medicine, etc. I think we have an agency to handle that. We will do our best to make sure this goes to reputable orgnizations etc. mg |
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25 Jun 04 - 04:48 PM (#1214397) Subject: RE: BS: Playgrounds for Palestine From: CarolC I'd be more inclined to donate for essentials like food or medicine if we're talking about money going to locations within the Occupied Territories, Mary. If you can tell me more about the agency you have in mind, I'd appreciate it. |