Work Journal

Day 2-Fri, Jan 21

            Spent the day in Paidia’s offices being welcomed again and given the orientation. The orientation included an expanded expectation of what the organization offers and what the organization expects from its volunteers.  Shortly after I am taken to Paidia’s Center and shown the projects including the construction of an enclosed chicken coop and feeding area, finishing off a compost toilet and putting together a low ropes course, that it is hoped that I can contribute to. 

            Spent the day in the office researching chicken coop and compost toilet designs.  The main challenge of constructing these projects is going to be utilizing the most cost effective and available materials, to save the organization money while still creating a sustainable asset. 

Day 3- Sat, Jan 22

            Worked for a couple hours on the Paidia center's garden, planting cabbage and watering small trees.  The center is being converted from an outdoor restaurant that was occupied by Israeli Defense Force personnel during the second intifada.  The result was a dilapidated shell of what was formerly a thriving business.  The owner of the property moved to America, and when approached by Paidia with the proposal for converting the site to an education center for young people, he was enthusiastic about the project and generously gave a year’s free rent.  The organization now faces the challenge of relocating the thirty-foot tall climbing wall as well as repairing and reconfiguring the former restaurant, to include sustainable initiatives like the free range chicken coop, organic garden and compost toilet, while also continuing to provide programs and for the regional and international youth and fund raising events.  Drove to Jerusalem in the evening, walked around Jaffa Street.  There is a striking contrast to Israel and the Palestinian territories.  The  order of everything from traffic to landscaping. Litter; newspapers, plastic bags, scraps of cardboard, water bottles, broken glass, etc are constantly present in Palestine, but just as blatantly absent in Jerusalem. 

Day 4-Sun, Jan 23

            Took a hike along the outskirts of Beit Sahour, the weather was pleasantly cool, but sunny.  The countryside has rolling hills, occasional olive groves and frequent construction sites.  Families save money, typically don't borrow, and buy property alongside each other and construct square stone multistory homes, with square balconies and flat roofs.  The stone exterior, coupled with interior tile floors and high ceilings help keep the buildings cool during the majority of the year.  However in winter, they do very little to hold any heat, and propane heaters are used in the Paidia office as well as in the guest house for additional heat.  In the mornings, I’ve found that getting outside and moving is warmer then staying in bed. 

Day 5- Mon, Jan 24

            Went to the office today and caught up on the journal and did online math coursework.  After lunch, Brady, my Canadian housemate and I went to measure the site for the proposed chicken coop and doorframe space for the doors to the composting toilet.  We worked to level the ground in the garden and considered ways to fight erosion from the footpaths into the garden beds and planted a few small trees.  

On getting settled in Palestine

The week in Palestine began auspiciously.  From London Luton to Tel Aviv, Ali Suliman the Palestinian actor who plays a reluctant suicide bomber in the film Paradise Now was on the flight.  After picking up my luggage I went to immigration and clean shaven and with the love of the lord in my eyes and heart, said I was a religious tourist who was staying with friends, but hadn't decided on departure dates yet.  The gruff Israeli asked if I was planning on going to the Palestinian side, I said I didn't know but would probably see Bethlehem at some point.  Granted the three month visa of the cunningly dishonest, but before proceeding to customs and the exit a young woman disguised in the helpful and welcoming outfit of an airline stewardess interrogated me further about my visit, in case I had forgotten my cover story during the 30 second walk, and would suddenly admit to being a Palestinian sympathizer, some sort of criminal de-kosher-er, or an impoverished asylum seeker.
          You may have heard on the news that civil unrest has been rocking and rolling from Tunis to Cairo and Yemen.  Throughout the Middle East there's been looting, burning, rioting, tear gas and attempted suppression by police forces, people acting out in anger against their entrenched and corrupt, greedy leaders.  It's all really exciting, but it ain't happening here.
         In Beit Sahour, west of Bethlehem, its been windy, dry and cool.  The sun has shined through the day, a cool wind has blown and people have gone about their lives within an occupation, albeit now with one more expat volunteer in their midst.
           Rachel the managing director of the Paida drove us from the airport in Tel Aviv, past Jerusalem, around Bethlehem and through a checkpoint near an Israeli settlement.  Lit up against the night, the settlement looked imposing and readily defendable, like some sort of crusader castle with double glazed windows, occupying the top and most of a hillside.
             The having gone through the checkpoint several times now, I can say that it still creates a small amount of anxiety, mostly because I speak no Hebrew, and feel that I'd get in trouble for that.
            Two days ago I  spotted Banky's Peace Dove wearing a flak jacket, going into Bethlehem after going through the West Bank barrier wall.  The wall in two words, is a fucking monstrosity, and I can only hope that the gravel it will eventually be ground down into is used to line the septic tanks from future generations.
More soon, time for dinner...