TYO Gala: President Clinton praises TYO as a promising solution

Last week, Tomorrow’s Youth Organization came out in Washington, DC with a series of events including our first ever Gala on October 21, 2010. We celebrated our successes from the last three years in Nablus and announced exciting expansion plans as we honored our valued supporters including President Bill Clinton, former UK First Lady Cherie Blair and music legend Quincy Jones. We are grateful that event co-chairs, Ambassador Yousef al Otaiba, Samia Farouki and Terry McAuliffe also played a huge role in the week’s proceedings.

The TYO Gala reflected our distinctive mix of engagement, passion, innovation and high-quality including a performance by the Dupont Park Children’s Choir of Washington, DC who sang the song that Quincy Jones has donated to TYO, Tomorrow, after a moving introduction from Mr. Jones himself. The event highlighted the urgent need for innovative programming for children and women in the West Bank and the broader Middle East. Another inspiring theme of the week and the Gala presentation was the extraordinary potential of Middle Eastern women as a lever for social change.

The success of our Gala was due in part to the presence of our distinguished honorees: President Bill Clinton, Cherie Blair and Quincy Jones. Their remarks stirred the 400+ guests, who were also inspired by the promise they saw in our participants through stunning large-scale audiovisual presentations throughout the evening (like this short video), as well as past and present TYO team members in attendance at the Gala.

Former President Clinton praised TYO’s work as a promising solution for the formidable challenges we face in the Middle East. He said that TYO “empower[s] women… increases[s] educational opportunities and frankly involve[s] more social empowerment without which you can’t have a balanced society.”

TYO was also thrilled to honor Cherie Blair, founder of TYO ally Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (CBFW) with whom we have enjoyed enormous success through our collaboration Fostering Women Entrepreneurs in Nablus. Mrs. Blair acknowledged the power of our cooperation: “Together we’re enabling women to develop and build on their business talents, and thus, to help themselves, their families, and wider society…” And, she urged the audience to support our efforts, “every dollar you spend on [our work] is returned a thousand fold…Come to the Middle East and see the potential is there.”

Gala emcee and co-chair, Terry McAuliffe, echoed President Clinton and Mrs. Blair’s remarks: “If we truly want peace in the Middle East, it is about helping people have a better future. We have got to give these children an education. We have got to help women better themselves.”

We shared, we listened, we celebrated; but most of all, we raised awareness about the open hearts and tremendous possibility of children and women in the Middle East. It was incredible! A huge thanks to those of you who attended, had some role in the Gala, or are part of the TYO community in another way. And ahlan wa sahlan – come get involved – to those of you who aren’t yet.

TYO humbly thanks its generous sponsors that supported this event, including the PalTel Group Foundation, Mohamed S. Farsi Foundation, Abercrombie & Kent, FedEx, Dewey and LeBoeuf, William Haughey, Raj Fernando, Christophe Jungels-Winkler, A. Huda and Samia Farouki, Terry and Dorothy McAuliffe and Capital Corporation.

Phase II brings encouraging progress for FWEN entrepreneurs

The women behind the 10 business plans selected to continue through Phase II of the FWEN initiative have been hard at work over the past several months. And, their work is paying off in tangible ways – each woman is a few steps closer to achieving her dream of becoming an entrepreneur, owning and operating a small business.

In the past several months, the women have participated in a number of activities intended to hone their skills and their business plans. First, staff from the Small Enterprise Center in Ramallah led intensive coaching sessions in which they revised and edited all of the women’s business plans. Another coaching session on financial management is planned for the near future. The women also participated in training sessions focusing on improving their English and computer skills. Finally, several of the women produced samples of their products, which allowed them to test the feasibility of their plans.

Another exciting activity during Phase II has been the connection of five of the projects with international mentors located outside of Palestine. The women are able to connect with their mentors and chat in real-time via a special Internet platform designed by Google and supported by the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The mentorship program will continue for 12 months, allowing these women to learn from their mentors’ business experience. “After being connected with my mentor, I feel there is a solution for any business problem I might face,” said Saher, 27, one of the FWEN entrepreneurs.

Currently, the women behind all 10 projects are hard at work finalizing their business plans. Their primary concern now is finding funding that will allow them to launch their plans into reality. The FWEN staff plan to translate all of the business plans into English in order to increase their exposure internationally and to reach potential donors.

Many of the individual projects have also seen exciting developments in the past several months:

·       Heba and Hana of “H2 Fashion” created a sample batch of 200 keychains, made using traditional Palestinian embroidery techniques, which were purchased by TYO – the women’s first official customer! – to be distributed as gifts at the TYO gala event in Washington, DC.

·       Yasmeen, who owns a clothing store in her home village, received a loan from the FATEN microfinance organization in order to expand her store’s stock and formalize the business. She plans to complete the official business registration process in the near future.

·       Rima and Afnan, whose plan is to roast and sell flavored coffee, produced a sample of several flavored coffees and distributed them to local supermarkets. The feedback from these vendors was overwhelmingly positive, indicating that there is a local market eagerly awaiting their products!

·       Aya, who is creating a sheep farm in her home village, received land from her father and is beginning to build her first barn on the land that will become her farm.

·       Ayat and Hafya, who will create Palestine’s first recycling plant to convert waste paper into egg cartons, have entered their idea in the “Made in Palestine” competition for new inventions created by Palestinians, being held at the end of November. The three winning entries from this contest will be sent to Egypt to compete against other inventions from across the Arab world.

Intern Journal: Olive Picking in Beit Furik

If the essence of Palestine were to be captured in one image, that image could very well be the olive tree.  Much of the rustic landscape is peppered with olive trees, many of which are centuries old and have been tended to by the same family for generations upon generations.  One of the very first images of Palestinian life I observed after crossing into the West Bank by car on the way to Nablus was a family beginning their olive harvest, so I was delighted to hear that Ahmad, TYO’s health educator, had invited the international staff and interns to come pick olives alongside his family in the village of Beit Furik.

Chelsey, Rick, Ashwini, Samee, Adrienne, and I left Nablus early on Saturday, October 16th—water bottles, sunscreen, and breakfast in hand—and after a short taxi ride, we arrived to find Ahmad and his family having already picked several bucketsful of olives.  Ahmad welcomed us with his customary joviality and led us up the steep slope to his home.  He served us fruit drinks and coffee in the parlor, where we were soon also greeted by his wife, Tahrir, and their smiley six-month-old son Bara’.  We then climbed the stairs to the roof to take in the view of the mountain-rimmed village and its houses, olive groves, and farmland, most of which unfortunately lies barren due to water shortages.  We admired the beauty of Beit Furik while also trying to fathom the frustration its inhabitants must have felt for the seven years of Israeli- imposed closure that severely restricted entry and exit from the village.  Finally, we traipsed back down the hill to take refuge from the beating sun under the leafy branches of the olive trees and participate in the harvest.

As we began picking the olives off the trees and tossing them onto the tarpaulins spread out on the ground below, we learned that the olive trees we were harvesting had been planted by Ahmad’s father 39 years ago.  We were surprised to find that the olives, which were meant to be pressed for olive oil rather than eaten whole, were more rubbery and less juicy than the olives we were familiar with.  We amateur olive-pickers tried to mimic the technique of Ahmad’s relatives, who were able to run one hand down a given branch and strip the olives off of it in a single, deft movement.  As we progressed from one tree to the next, we learned that the olive trees on the higher part of the slope produce more olives.  However, Palestinian olive trees have become less fruitful on the whole because of water shortages in the West Bank.  Whereas in the past, the olive harvest lasted three weeks, nowadays it takes only 10 days to pick all of the olives produced.

After we fulfilled our olive-picking duties, Ahmad offered to take us for a driving tour of the village, but there was a slight caveat: we six visitors could not all fit in his car.  “Not to worry,” he assured us, “I have an idea.”  It was only a few moments before one of Ahmad’s friends drove by in his car, and Ahmad flagged him down, converting him into an impromptu tour guide.  Ashwini, Adrienne, and I learned that our “guide’s” name was Jihad, that the little boy seated next to him was his son Youssef, and that he worked at the tahini factory that was our first stop on our tour.  Jihad proudly explained that the tahini is sent to Israel, from whence it is exported to America, Europe, and all over the world.  We also visited an animal feed factory and a turkey farm, although not before Ahmad’s cousin Samir from the tahini factory had served us all coffee and sent us off with a few complimentary jars of tahini.

By the time we returned to Ahmad’s, the women of the family had finished preparing lunch, and we were served two heaping platters of maqloubeh, a delicious “upside-down” rice and cauliflower casserole topped with chicken.  After being on the receiving end of such marvelous displays of hospitality throughout the day—from being provided with innumerable coffee and tea breaks to having neighbors drop everything to do us a favor—I am left wondering whether, by the end of my internship, I will have managed to give to the Nabulsi community even half as much as it will have given to me.

- Julie

Julie is a Fall Intern at TYO Nablus.

TYO Event week with Bill Clinton, Quincy Jones, Cherie Blair

What a week! TYO has come out in Washington, and we did it with a splash! Check out some video and commentary at the links below – more coming soon… Here’s the TYO team onstage at the Gala last night with Bill Clinton, Quincy Jones, Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, event chairs Terry McAuliffe and Samia Farouki and TYO Founder Hani Masri!

Photo Credit: Davide De Pas Photography

Coverage:

They are Calling Out for Bill Clinton’s Magic – The Washington Note | October 22, 2010

Clinton was at DC’s Ritz Carlton to keynote along with former British first lady and Matrix Chambers legal firm legend Cherie Blair, chair and founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, a fundraising gala for a surprisingly successful NGO that works with young children and women in Palestine.

Terry McAuliffe, Bill Clinton, etc. at “Tomorrow’s Youth” Gala – Blue Virginia | October 22, 2010

I had a great time last night at the “Tomorrow’s Youth Organization” gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC. Thanks to Terry McAuliffe and Levar Stoney for the invitation. Highlights included meeting Cherie Blair and finally getting to shake Bill Clinton’s hand. [See link for author's video and photos]

Tomorrow’s Youth Organization hosts Bill Clinton – Palestine Note | October 22, 2010

Tomorrow’s Youth Organization, an NGO whose mission is to empower women and children of Palestine, hosted former US President Bill Clinton on Thursday. The event took place in Washington, DC and keynote speakers included former British first lady and Matrix Chambers legal firm legend Cherie Blair, chair and founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.

Tomorrow’s Youth Organization – DJ OZ | October 22, 2010

Last night I had the honor of DJing the first annual Tomorrow’s Youth Organization Gala at the Ritz Carlton. It was an amazing event for an amazing organization. Honored guests included Pres. Bill Clinton, Quincy Jones and Cherie Blair (wife of Former PM Tony Blair).

Tomorrow’s Youth Organization Gala – The Washington Scene | October 25, 2010

The ballroom at The Ritz -Carlton was filled to capacity last night when co-chairs Terry McAuliffe and Samia Farouki hosted a gala for the first time to benefit Tomorrow’s Youth Organization, a group whose mission is to work in disadvantaged areas of the Middle East to help children, teens and their parents build strong, responsible communities. TYO is the brainchild of Hani Masri who founded the organization in 2007 with a vision and a mission to improve the lives of those suffering from poverty and violence.

More from TYO soon…

Intern Journal: First impressions of Nablus

“I can’t believe I’m really here.”

This line was repeated, in some variation, by all four of us interns in the first few days upon arriving in the city of Nablus. In a way, it was understandable–we were in Palestine, a place we hear so much about on the news, but that most of us had not had the chance to visit in person until now. Many of our family and friends were apprehensive about our trip here, and it just seemed so surreal to actually be in the West Bank after so many weeks of planning and preparation in the U.S.

My first night at TYO, I walked onto the balcony of the center and saw a spectacular view–rows of houses, mosques, commercial districts, mountains, and the noise of traffic and kids playing in the evening before a weekend. Over the next few days, we would tour the Old City, eat delicious shawarma and desserts, meet the local TYO staff, and become acquainted with the kindness and generosity of the people of Nablus.

Upon touring the Old City, we saw busy markets that had been re-developed and rebuilt over the past decade, now that conflict had receded. As I walked, places that had once been damaged or destroyed were pointed out to me. Many of these walls and buildings still hold reminders of how different things were just a few years ago. I wondered what it must have been like to live in an area of such conflict, especially as a child, and the importance of TYO’s work became apparent to me.

After years of hardship, Nablus is once again a bustling city with plenty to do, eat and see. One thing that continues to strike me about Nablus is how important family is to people here, both outwardly and more personally. I rarely see a child that is not being kissed, held or cuddled by an adult. The bonds of friendship and family are certainly strong here–but people are more than willing to extend their graciousness to people outside of their family as well. On one of our first days at TYO, we had lunch with the TYO staff, which was filled with singing, dancing and of course, plenty of getting to know one another. Although some of us are monolingual, so many of our interactions transcended the need for language. A warm greeting or smile was enough to extend hospitality or accept being welcomed.

Of course, any mention of Nablus wouldn’t be complete without speaking about food. We unanimously declared that the food, desserts and fruit juices were “unbelievable,” and that none of us would have to worry about not being well-fed during our stay in the West Bank.

Every day, it becomes a little less surreal to be here, in Palestine, in the West Bank, in Nablus. As we develop friendships with people in the city and begin to gain our footing on what Nablus has to offer, we feel more and more a part of the community. Of course, sometimes all it takes is a quiet moment or a lull in daily activity for that “I can’t believe I’m here” feeling to come rushing back. I personally hope that this feeling never completely goes away, as I think it would be a shame for me to forget, even for a moment, how lucky I am to be here.

- Ashwini

Ashwini is a Fall Intern at TYO Nablus.

TYO out on the town!

The first evening of TYO’s event week was a smashing success. With event chairs Terry McAuliffe and Samia Farouki, TYO founder and his wife, Hani and Cheryl Masri, Congressman Jim Moran, The Economist editor Peter David, Steve Clemons of Washington Note and New America Foundation and countless other personalities, it was a night to remember at Cafe Milano!

At left, TYO Event Chair and former National Democratic Chairman, Terry McAuliffe with TYO Founder and President, Hani Masri, stand in front of Cafe Milano with the jumbo banner that co-host Franco Nuschese surprised us with. THANK YOU, Franco! Cafe Milano put on a typically high class and fun event for over 200 TYO supporters.

Representative Jim Moran joined the crowd, following remarks from Terry McAuliffe, TYO director Nell Derick Debevoise, former TYO intern Christina Sass, and founder Hani Masri, with his input about the huge potential for TYO’s work to make a real difference in Middle Eastern society as well as relations between the US and that part of the world.

Finally, the inspiring video, “What If?” was shown – if you missed it, check it out on YouTube now! And see more pics from the evening on our Flickr site.

Announcing “Suwarna,” a Triple Exposure photography exhibition!

Check out the latest post by Project Coordinator Doris on the Triple Exposure website:

We are pleased and proud to announce the date for the first Triple Exposure student photography exhibition! If you are in the area, please join us on October 29 at the Hashimiya School* in El Bireh, Ramallah.

“Suwarna” is an exhibition of photography taken by the participants in this project: Palestinian boys and girls, ages 10 to 16, who have used their cameras over the past year to capture their homes, neighborhoods, schools, friends, hobbies, and daily moments of beauty.

“Triple Exposure” is a TYO initiative that aims to develop identity, awareness, and vocational skills among children and adolescents through teaching photographic expression and the production of public art.

Updated on October 28 with new location.

Introducing our Fall 2010 Interns!

TYO is pleased to introduce the latest, stellar members of our Nablus team. Welcome, Fall Interns: Julie, Adrienne, Ashwini and Samee! Their classes begin today. After an informative and energizing 10-day orientation program they are excited and ready to go! Please continue to view this blog in the coming weeks for updates on their progress and reflections on their experiences in Nablus.

For now, here is a bit about our new team members straight from them!

Julie
I am Julie and I will be teaching girls’ dance and women’s aerobics classes and offering homework help to youth.  A native of the Washington, DC area, I graduated in 2008 from Georgetown University with a BSFS in Middle Eastern Studies.  After graduating, I mentored Middle Eastern and North African undergraduate students through the Middle East Partnership Initiative, served as a Congressional intern, led civic education programs for high school students, and worked as a research assistant for a former US ambassador at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.  Most recently, I spent a year working at the international conflict resolution NGO Search for Common Ground before heading to the San Francisco Bay Area this summer to brush up on my Arabic at the Middlebury at Mills Arabic School.

Adrienne
My name is Adrienne and I’ll be teaching basic photography as part of the Triple Exposure project and English to mothers of TYO’s Core Program participants. I graduated from Princeton a bit over a year ago, where I studied public policy (with a focus on international development) and Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures. I’ve spent this past year working for the UN World Food Program in Benin (West Africa).

Ashwini
My name is Ashwini, I will be teaching an Art and Empowerment course and English at a local preschool.  I finished my Master of Public Health about a year ago, and I have worked in human rights, youth development and health education for several years.  I most recently worked in rural India at a community health organization where I did qualitative research and program design in a number of villages, and after coming back to the States worked in Newark where I taught a course to adolescent girls as part of a summer leadership program.

Samee
My name is Samee and I will be teaching drama and a business English to male community members. I am a Palestinian-American who’s family comes from a village very close to Nablus. I am a recent graduate of Haverford College with a BA in Religion and a focus on Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. Most recently I worked at Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, a non-profit in Philadelphia.

Please join us in welcoming these exceptional young professionals to our team!

-Chelsey

Chelsey is the Program Coordinator at TYO Nablus where she directs the International Internship Program.

Spring 2011 Internship Application – Available Now!

We are recruiting highly qualified and motivated interns interested in community development, early childhood and youth programming, and conflict resolution to work at our flagship center in Nablus (West Bank, Palestine) for our spring programs (February – April 2011). Interns will create spring programs for children, youth and adults from refugee camps and other marginalized areas of the Nablus community. Each intern will develop and implement their own creative curriculum(s) through the spring, documenting development growth/gains in their class and in their participants, as well as informally acting as a liaison between TYO and the local community.

Read more about the program and download the application (PDF) today – it’s due by November 21, 2010.

Good Luck!

Vote for our film at the UN Alliance of Civilizations film festival!

 

Filming a scene from The Farthest Journeys

Check out the new post by Project Coordinator Doris on the Triple Exposure website:

During the summer, 6 of the best and brightest students from the past year’s Triple Exposure classes were selected to work on a special film project: a submission to the UN Alliance of Civilizations PLURAL+ Film Festival!

This year, festival organizers invited submissions on the topics of migration, diversity, and social inclusion. Our students – Hiba, Hala, Mahmoud, Mujahed, Taha, and Yaseen – were taught techniques in filming, acting, stop-motion photography, and story development. The kids themselves created the themes and story for Triple Exposure’s submission to the festival, entitled The Farthest Journeys. The Farthest Journeys illustrates the story of three young Palestinians who go on separate, sometimes fantastical, journeys to visit and pray at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Voting is now open for the “Youth Audience Award!” If you are 25 years old or younger, you can help us win.

“Triple Exposure” is a TYO initiative that aims to develop identity, awareness, and vocational skills among children and adolescents through teaching photographic expression and the production of public art.