PA 07 - SUMMER CAMPS IN BEDOUIN VILLAGES
Project Location
The project will be carried out in the Bedouin villages of the Judean Desert, located in the West Bank. This region is characterized by complex political, economic, and social challenges. Politically, the area remains deeply affected by ongoing conflict, occupation, and restrictions on movement, which hinder access to basic services and opportunities. Economically, the Bedouin communities face widespread poverty, limited resources, and high unemployment rates. Socially, they experience marginalization and cultural disintegration, exacerbated by forced displacement and the threat of land expropriation.
Technologically, the region has minimal infrastructure, with restricted access to digital tools and modern conveniences, limiting educational and development opportunities. Legally, Bedouin communities navigate an environment of uncertainty, as their rights to land and livelihood are often unrecognized or contested. Environmentally, the arid desert conditions and scarce natural resources make living conditions particularly harsh and precarious.
The Comboni Sisters have been present in Bethany since 1966, serving communities on both sides of the 708-kilometer wall separating Israel and Palestine. Our mission focuses on building peace and nurturing hope through education and service in the Bedouin villages of the West Bank. In 2011, after the Second Intifada and the construction of the Wall, we expanded to Al Azareyah and the Judean Desert, addressing the needs of the Jahalin Bedouins displaced from the Negev Desert in 1948 and now living in precarious conditions.
Recognizing the urgent needs of the Jahalin Bedouin communities, their struggles, and resilience, we Comboni Sisters are committed to supporting their education and empowerment, with a special focus on women and children. Over time, our consistent presence and collaboration with these communities have built strong relationships based on trust and shared purpose.
Project description
For over a decade, the Comboni Sisters have supported the Jahalin Bedouin communities in the Judean Desert, recognizing their immense resilience in the face of social and economic adversity. These communities, displaced from their ancestral lands, live under constant threat of eviction and cultural erosion, compounded by the impacts of conflict and occupation. Despite these challenges, education has remained a central priority for Bedouin families, particularly for their children, who often lack access to safe, nurturing spaces to learn and grow.
In response to this need, the Summer Camps in Bedouin Villages initiative was established in 2010, aimed at providing educational and emotional support to children. Over the years, these camps have evolved into a vital tradition cherished by the community. Held annually in different villages, they create a safe and inclusive environment where children can explore their creativity, develop social skills, and experience moments of joy and learning, away from the tensions of daily life.
The primary goal of this project is to create a safe and nurturing environment where approximately 250 Bedouin children can learn, grow, and build resilience through structured activities, while also promoting values of peace, reconciliation, and respect for diversity.
The following activities will be organized during the summer camps:
- Educational and Recreational activities such as group dynamics, stories, creative arts (recycled art, paint-ing), music, and theatre.
- Games based on values, and activities to develop social and emotional skills.
- Games and activities promoting non-violence, mutual respect, and cultural understanding.
- Activities celebrating the natural environment, culminating in a final excursion to a recreational
Furthermore, training sessions for Bedouin teachers on active learning methodologies and peacebuilding practices will be held.
We expect that these activities will bring the following benefits:
- Improved emotional well-being and resilience in children.
- Development of social skills and conflict-resolution abilities.
- Creation of positive memories in a challenging environment.
- Enhanced collaboration between local teachers, families, and volunteers.
- Strengthened community bonds through shared participation and experiences.
- Increased awareness of the importance of education and inclusion.
Objectives
- Offer children a secure and supportive setting to engage in educational and recreational activities during the summer break.
- Promote Peace and Reconciliation trough interactive activities and instil values of inclusion, re-spect, and non-violence.
- Enhance Emotional Wellbeing helping children build resilience through structured group dynamics and recreational activities.
- Encourage appreciation for Bedouin traditions and environmental awareness through thematic activi-ties.
- Equip Bedouin teachers with methodologies for active learning and peacebuilding.
- Foster collaboration between local communities, teachers, and volunteers
Beneficiaries
Direct: approximately 250 children between the ages of 3 and 13 from 6 Bedouin communities.
Indirect: Families of the participating children, approximately 200 families (6 Bedouin Communities); teach-ers and educators involved in the training, who gain valuable skills in active learning and peacebuilding methodologies.
Local participation
Local people are expected to play a vital role in the project. Bedouin teachers will lead many of the activities, bringing their cultural knowledge and educational expertise to the summer camps. These teachers will receive specialized training to enhance their skills in active learning methodologies, peacebuilding, and group dynamics.
Referent sister of the project: sr Maria de Lourdes Garcia Grande
Project's costs