This exhibition aims to give the children from Balata the opportunity, through photography, to tell their own stories about their lives in a positive and novel manner. They will be asked to take photographs which represent those elements of their environment which have resonance and importance in their personal lives. In particular, the children will be encouraged to select subjects which focus on the positive aspects of their lives despite their volatile and destructive living conditions.

Palestinian and international volunteers including photographers will work with the children and organise workshops to provide them with guidance, support and training in terms of photography and camera usage. As well as learning how to use the cameras, the children will look at issues such as how photographs are used, what messages a photograph can convey and how they can represent and express themselves through photographs.

The opening will be held at a gallery in London in June 2005. The photographs will also be exhibited at other art galleries and community venues around the UK and again workshops will be run in conjunction with these exhibitions.

CHILDREN IN BALATA

Children comprise a large proportion of the camp's population; approximately 18,000 of the 30,000 residents are under the age of eighteen. The entire population lives in a space of about one quarter of a square kilometre. For the children living in the camp, this means that there are few intellectual, creative or physical spaces to develop their skills. Life in Balata is difficult; severe poverty (80% unemployment), cramped conditions, inadequate facilities and constant incursions by the Israeli army are every day factors of every child's life. In this atmosphere, psychological problems such as depression and hopelessness are commonplace and pervasive.

BENEFITS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

In addition to exhibiting the photographs in London, the photographs will also be displayed in other art galleries and community venues across the UK. School groups and other community groups will be invited to view the photographs and to take part in workshops with the aim of promoting cultural awareness and developing cultural links between Palestinian children and children in the UK.

The workshops will also encourage the children to look for commonality between the experiences shown in the photographs and their own lives in an effort to develop understanding and empathy. Through looking at the photographs and taking part in workshop discussions, it is hoped that children will be able to connect with their own feelings of frustration, isolation and despair which are created by boundaries, whether social, political, religious or cultural. One of the other aims of the workshops will be to show how photography can be used as a creative means of communicating and expressing feelings and ideas.

Social exclusion and ignored, disenfranchised communities exist everywhere, whether in West Bank refugee camps or in East End housing estates. The aim of the photography exhibition will be to give a voice to these people and to invite different youth communities around England, particularly ethnic minority groups, to take part in similar projects so that they too can make themselves heard.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Indentifying people, organizations or institutions to offer to host the exhibit in
various cities across the UK. Venues could include galleries, community
centres, schools…

Help with the show in London, particularly with publicity

Putting us in contact with teachers, parents or volunteers who have connections to schools or youth centres– particularly in London

* Although this exhibition is currently being planned for the UK, we are open and eager to venues in other countries.

For more information email: info@balatacamp.net