Learning To Trust
During the day, they sailed and swam. At night, they stayed up late to talk. But for campers in the Seeds of Peace program, summer wasn’t all fun and games. These Palestinian and Israeli kids went to camp in the U.S. to make friends of their enemies.
Palestinian Absal Nuseibeh, 16, keeps in touch with his Israeli friends from the Maine woods. “There were problems at first,” he said. “But the problems turned into a friendship.”
Founded in 1993 by journalist John Wallach, Seeds of Peace teaches the art of trust. At the end of each day, campers discussed the problems back home. “The meetings brought up anger,” said Israeli Daana Dishon, 14. “But it was good to confront issues.”
Campers had a great time during the “Color Games.” Kids were assigned to red or gray teams that competed in contests. For the first time, Palestinians and Israelis were on the same side. “We found solidarity and ignored nationality,” said Nuseibeh.
Now at home, the kids say they are hopeful about the new agreement between Palestinian and Israeli leaders. They say the pact can be as strong as the friendships they have made through Seeds of Peace. “It’s finally progress,” said Dishon. “Life is too short to make enemies.”