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SEASIDE TRIP – August 1, 2016

Every year the Israeli association "Maxum watch" give us the possibility to take to the sea a group of Bedouin children in turn, and going by exclusion, this year it was the turn of Abu Nawar village. We had prepared the list of names and the numbers of their identity card long in advanced to submit to the Israeli authorities in order to get the permits, but only the day before the trip we were able to collect them, with great trepidation on the part of all, as we were afraid that someone might be refused. And Monday morning, August 1, all were there at the checkpoint, each having in his/her hands the permit to show to the soldier on duty. After the necessary check, finally the children, the kindergarten teachers and some mothers, came out from the check point waiting to get on the bus that would take them to the sea.

The sea: something known by many but not by these children who have always drawn, colored, also dreamed about it, and that during the summer camp filled with boats and fish ... The sea ... a dream that today was about to become true. Along the journey, music and Bedouin dances filled the bus, and we could not have missed the traditional dance "Dahiya", while the children were astonished to see darting in front of the bus

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windows cars of all types and colors, and see up in the sky giant airplanes that these children have only seen depicted in schoolbooks. And finally, we arrived at Jaffa beach. The first reaction to the immensity of the sea was scary but also of wonder. Initially with much trepidation but then boldly, the children dived into the water even braving the waves that that day sailed the sea with some force.

And who could get them out of the water? Equipped with colorful jackets and after having overtaken the initial anxiety, the way was open for the guaranteed fun in the sea ...

... and on the beach ...

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In the eyes of the children, the teachers and mothers, we could see a new light made of those little things that often we take them for granted, but that they revealed a new world outside their narrow and confined villages surrounded by Israeli settlements. And after a picnic of sandwiches and slices of watermelon, back into the sea because they could not miss this opportunity, they could not lose time for anything else but to that blue horizon that has always been in these children’s dreams.

It was lunch time. And so after a nice refreshing shower, we went back to the bus to reach Jaffa old town where a delicious plate of rice and chicken and some Arab sauces were waiting for us.

And yet another surprise awaited us. We run to the theater located in one of the inner streets of Jaffa. Two excellent Arab actors-comedians represented a Romanian fairy tale entertaining and even involving the children.

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And the day was not yet over. We could not go home without first boarding one of those paper boats that the children had built and glued on the sea waves at the summer camp. The joy was great, uncontrollable, also increased by the waves that were swaying in the boat so scary so much as to make those who engaged in a dance or tried to capture those magical moments with a photograph lose their balance.

But like all good things even this day had come to an end. On the bus, on our way back home, the chorus of thanks echoed to that day much desired. And now even these small children can say that they have seen with their own eyes what had been only in their hearts up to that point. And so, see you next year with another group!

August 11, 2016 This year the same organization gave us the possibility of another trip to the seaside and this time only for Bedouin girls and women. So we invited the young women who, in the past few years, have been offered education courses, hairdressing, first aid and sewing cut. And so, on August 11, all they gathered at Al Azareyah checkpoint ready to start a new hilarious adventure at the sea. We wanted it to be a day just for them, a day to remember with nostalgia for their entire lives. And so it was. The joy they experienced was indescribable as even for them the sea was a wish that became true.

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In the midst of the sea they even improvised a Bedouin dance under the amused and intrigued gaze of Israelis and tourists on the beach ...

Once again we thank the members of “Maxum Watch” and all the volunteers who through their generosity and availability have contributed to donate so much joy to these Bedouin children and women. Sr. Agnese & Sr. Azezet Comboni Missionary Sisters