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Camden New Journal - by JAMIE WELHAM
Published: 22 November 2007

‘We can learn from Palestine kids’ – exchange trip teachers

THE 11 intrepid secondary school teachers who visited the town of Abu Dis in the West Bank have returned full of praise for the spirit of the Palestinian children.
During the week-long learning mission, the teachers dropped in on every school in the occupied town to the east of Jerusalem, and even managed to cram in the sites of Jericho and the Dead Sea before jetting back to London.
Helen Saunders, a teacher from Hampstead School which will twin with Abu Dis boys school next month, said: “It was absolutely exhilarating while at the same time a very humbling experience.
“Personally, I was incredibly impressed with the kids. The spirit and attitude towards learning with the very meagre resources at their disposal was truly inspiring.
“It really brings home just how privileged children are in the UK. In Abu Dis, they are so politicised and see education as a way out. We can definitely learn from this.”
The town, which is formally twinned with Camden Town, is separated from Jerusalem by an Israeli-patrolled barrier that has made it almost impossible for residents to access Jerusalem’s services or visit family on
the other side of the divide.
Trip organiser Nandita Dowson, who chairs the Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association, said: “It was an absolute triumph and we are looking to maintain the strong dialogue we have established.
“The next logical step is to have teachers from Abu Dis over here and in the long term possibly children as well.”
Teachers from La Sainte Union, Parliament Hill, Hampstead, Maria Fidelis, William Ellis, Acland Burghley and Camden School for Girls went on the trip, which was funded by the British Council.
• For more information visit www.camdenabudis.org

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