Teaching in Khalil (Hebron) and other thoughts

   Greetings from Acca, on the Mediterranean coast, north of Haifa.  We know it as Acre, Palestinians as Acca, and Israelis as Acco.  It's been here longer than any of its names.  I'm here because this is where my friend Khitam Edelbi grew up.  I'm staying in her old family home in the old city of Acca, but more of that in my next blog.

Khitam getting started

   Yesterday I went with Khitam to Khalil (pronounced kha - leel, short 'a'), the Arab name for the city we call Hebron.  Khitam was working with kindergarten teachers, which she does in Khalil a couple of times a month.  Her role is to give them new activities to stimulate their students, and, judging from her four hour workshop, to stimulate the teachers themselves.

kindergarten teacher

   All but one of the teachers was covered, which means they were wearing head scarves and dresses or some combination that covered them shoulders to shoes.  They were young and old and they lit up with the exercises Khitam did.  They laughed, played, asked good questions, and agreed to let me take pictures.  I'm going to include a lot of those photos in this blog.  They'll give you a better "picture" than my words.

Do what, Khitam?

I don't know who ate the last cookie!

   Khitam used music, dance, story telling, warm ups and games to get the teachers moving, thinking, laughing and then talking about how to incorporate these activities in their classes.  They were enthusiastic.  They were not hesitant with me there, and when Khitam asked if it was all right if I took pictures, they agreed.  Some of the activities were pretty physical and Khitam told me afterwards that some of them probably would have taken off their long robes and coats if I hadn't been there.  Underneath, they're in dresses and jeans and clothes we're used to seeing.  On their feet are shoes that don't seem to go with the rest of them being covered, mostly either sneakers or stylish shoes.

Khitam "hops a little on her little left shoe"

I'm having fun, but my child is pooped.

Writing a story the teachers are telling.

This work of Khitam's is so important because it gives teachers new tools and encourages them to think about dealing with kids in new ways.  They aren't resistant to change!  Au contraire, they just need someone to give them some fresh ideas.  Their horizon of learning is limited by their circumstances.  Translation: they don't have the time, money, freedom or information to travel outside and discover new ways.  Not yet.  Khitam is bringing new ways to them and watching and listening to their response, I am impressed, by Khitam and by them!

Ah, I love this work.

   Oh, there is more to write, but I am tired and would not write it well, so I will close with another photo and blog again tomorrow with some accumulated thoughts and, I hope, some new ones!
   Khitam came to Maine nine years ago because a mutual friend had told me about her, and I invited her to participate in our summer program.  This eventually led to a BA and then an MA in creative arts therapy from Lesley University.  Now she's back home, making a difference.
   Small steps toward tearing down a wall and building hope?  I like to think so.