The
countdown to Christmas has begun and, no doubt,
most people’s minds are increasingly consumed
by thoughts of the dreaded Christmas shopping. So
much to search for in overcrowded shops - gifts
for family and friends, as well as children’s
“surprise” toys from Santa who has, most
likely, already received many letters containing
huge catalogues of “I wants” from the
little dears! Then, of course, there is the planning,
buying for, and organising of that all important
Christmas centre piece, the “perfect”
dinner which, in my case anyway, has yet to live
up to expectation no matter how great the effort
I expend on it.
As
a mother and grandmother, I know well how frantically
busy and stressful Christmas can be, especially,
often solely, for women. Despite this however, I
ask you to please add one more thing to your ever
growing list of “must does” this Christmas.
I ask that you please remember the people in occupied
Palestine, especially the children. Preferring to
adhere to the humanitarian, rather than political,
situation - as much as possible anyway - suffice
to say that, after decades of Israel’s progressively
brutal and suffocating occupation, the social and
economic conditions in Palestine are now truly dire.
Orphans abound and, according to most reputable
humanitarian agencies and organisations, poverty
and malnutrition levels - the latter, particularly
among young children - are on a par with sub-Saharan
Africa. Palestinians, as a people living on their
own land, have been pushed practically to the edge
of extinction. With hunger, water deprivation and
trauma their constant daily companions, they struggle
on, fighting for their freedom, justice, and dignity,
whilst adapting to and enduring everything the occupation
throws at them. Their determination and fortitude,
in the face of international silence, constantly
amazes not just me, but those international and
Israeli peace activists who stand alongside them.
We
can help in their struggle, and in a very simple,
tangible way – a way that will make a real
difference. A young Palestinian living in America,
Riad Hamad, runs the charity, Palestine Children’s
Welfare Fund (PCWF), a Fair Trade website for Palestinian
products. PCWF is a totally non-profit making, “religion
blind,” non-governmental organisation. Its
aims are twofold; to provide the poorest, most deprived
children of occupied Palestine, Christian and Muslim,
with their most basic needs, like food, clothing,
health care and educational implements (pencils,
notebooks, school-bags, etc.): and to promote fair
trade for Palestine farmers, women's groups and
wood craft artisans, thus enabling them to feed
their families.
Every single penny of PCWF profits (and donations;
tax deductible in the USA) goes directly to the
children and projects it sponsors throughout occupied
Palestine (the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem).
Administrative costs are nil, due to staff consisting
entirely of hard working, highly dedicated volunteers,
as well as public and private benefactors, of all
religions (including Jewish), who wish to ensure
all the money raised reaches Palestine’s most
needy children.
As
to the goods themselves – what can I say?!
The quality is superb and the range is vast. From
lapel pins to olive oil soap, to great tee-shirts,
to kuffiyas (scarves), to hand made Christmas decorations,
cards and cribs – all sorts of Palestinian
arts and crafts can be found in this virtual Aladdin’s
cave. And for those who both care enough, and have
the wherewithal to do so, there is also a facility
to either partially or fully sponsor a Palestinian
child. The children’s photos – their innocent
little faces, smiling in spite of so much adversity
- would almost break one’s heart!
Then
there is the tree planting service, which gives
people world wide the opportunity to plant an olive
or orange tree in Palestine. A tree can be planted
for any reason – to honour or thank a friend;
in memory of a deceased loved one; or simply as
a gift to someone you care for.
As
to Palestinian people themselves, two very important
points must be borne in mind: First, they do NOT
want to live on charity. By selling their goods
at a fair price they manage to retain the one thing
over which - in at least one aspect of their lives
- they have a small modicum of control – their
dignity. Second, most of their products have been,
and continue to be, made during the long, Israeli
imposed curfews. Throughout these prolonged, tedious
days, weeks and sometimes months, men and boys while
away the monotony by carving beautiful olive wood
ornaments, whilst women and girls employ themselves
in exquisitely detailed embroidery.
I
urge you to please visit, explore, and order at
least one item – no matter how small –
from the PCWF website. After two to three years
ordering from it, I can confirm that every single
item has been delivered safely and promptly, normally
within about ten to fifteen days, although more
recently, with Israel’s tightening of movement
in occupied Palestine affecting stock maintenance,
delivery time has taken a little longer.
Please
help put a smile on the beautiful faces of Palestine’s
poorest children this Christmas by showing them
that, despite the international community of so-called
“World Leaders” having turned its back
to their plight, many ordinary people around the
world really do care about them and their welfare.
Let us show them, tangibly, they are not alone.
To most of us, ordering a lapel pin, key ring, or
kaffiya costing just a couple of pounds, is a very
small thing. But to a hungry Palestinian child,
it may well mean the difference between him or her
having adequate food and water for at least one
day.
PCWF
Email Riad
Hamad should further information or assistance
be required.
