Circus in Nablus

There is so much to be done in Nablus and in Palestine. But there are people helping. Many of the volunteers that come through the West bank are amazed at the situation, especially in Nablus. This city was once a great metropolitan arabic city, but since the 2nd intifada 2002, the city has been under constant siege. The violence that occurs here doesn't even make the news any more since it has become part of daily life. Every night the neighborhood called the old city is raided, sometimes in search for rebels and sometimes only to remind the people of the occupation of their city. The situation is hard- and it shows on the faces of the people and children around us. Often when sitting and talking, as in anywhere in the world, the subject of age comes up- but in Nablus, no volunteer is able to correctly guess the age of the palestinian person. The events the children live through here take years off of their lives and leave them growing to adulthood long before they should.

In the midst of all this, there are some that are aware of what they call "their duty" to the community. In the month before we arrived, project hope organised workshops with a circus from Germany. This circus arranged funding to provide Nablus with circus equipment of thier own. And now, two weeks after, they have started their own circus. The first circus in all of palestine. Our organisation, Music for Music had the chance yesterday morning to perform with them for 300 children. Complete with clowns, stilts, juggling, and acrobatics this circus has a future making children happy.

But its not easy. Last night we had a meeting with the Coordinator from Project hope about the possibility of looking for support in NGO's in Europe. The situation is difficult, but the dream is clear. The goal is to make this circus the first professional circus in Palestine- and to make it free. We are going to help as much as we can, but it takes alot, and we're just beginning ourselves.

Through all of this, we will find a way. But now, I'm going to eat some Kanafa (Palestinian sweet cheese- I'm in love with the food here.)

That's all for now.

Thomas