URGENT, FROM GAZA
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ISM North Carolina
Jan 17, 2009, 8:31:19 PM1/17/09
to rachel...@googlegroups.com
As Gaza is under horrific attack, Fida Qishta and other volunteers are working to send stories and pictures out to the world. Fida breaks the siege virtually, every day, as a citizen journalist. This is crucially important now while the international press is denied access to Gaza. Please help us support this important work. We will supply cameras, tapes, and equipment. Please consider making a $5 donation now to Rachel's Words. (Tax deductible info below.)
March 16th will be the 6th anniversary of Rachel Corrie's death. Fida says the six-year-olds in Rafah have never experienced anything as terrifying as what is happening now. We'll provide background information below, and additional links with many different ways to support Gaza. Please act now - but don't forget Gaza when the current crisis is over.
Donate through Paypal here. Tax deductible checks of any amount can be made out to our fiscal sponsor, "The Brecht Forum," earmarked "Rachel's Words" and mailed to Rachel's Words, PO Box 1125, New York, NY 10276. We will send you confirmation of receipt.
Thank you for your support.
Rachel's Words
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Background:
Fida Qishta is a 23-year-old teacher and independent journalist who lives in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Fida knew Rachel Corrie. When Fida organized some women to be on call around the clock - to help salvage people's belongings from their homes before demolition - she named the group "Rachel's Way." As the local ISM coordinator in Rafah, Fida continues the work that Rachel was engaged in.
Fida founded the Lifemakers Center, providing several hundred children with a place to learn and play in Rafah. Her greatest concern is the collective trauma of Gaza's children. When she's not at the Center, Fida documents events at the hospitals, schools, homes, fishing boats - and in her own neighborhood. Fida writes a blog from her home. Her previous house was demolished; for over a year her family lived in a rented room connected to a building outdoors, with no facilities. During this period she was invited by the Rachel Corrie Foundation on a U.S. speaking tour.
In the last year she formed "Gaza Eyes Open," networking with other citizen and professional journalists, sharing skills, and bringing us news of daily life in Gaza. When we compiled a list of equipment to start the project, Fida added "chalk," for the Lifemakers Center - there was no chalk in Gaza because of the siege.
Videos by Fida:
Articles by Fida:
The Observer, January 11, 2009
The Guardian, January 3, 2009
December 29, 2008
IMEU, March 9, 2008
Fida's Blog:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
DONATE TO ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING EMERGENCY RELIEF:
SIGN PETITIONS FOR GAZA:
THE NEXT STEP:
By Naomi Klein, The Nation, January 7, 2009
For support and contacts of people in Gaza or to volunteer, please contact the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People, via ga...@imemc.org, or call 989-607-9480 (from the US and Canada) or 972 2277 2018 (from other places)
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