29th, June 2006
YMCA Rehabilitation program presentation
Our second day of Journey for Justice was spent in Bethlehem. The day began with a presentation by Nader Abu Amsha, the Rehabilitation program director, about the importance of the psycho-social intervention that the rehabilitation center is implementing throughout the West Bank. After the presentation the participants where invited to ask questions about the work of the rehabilitation center.
Meeting university' students
At 10 AM the bus left the YMCA towards Bethlehem University. There, the participants were lead by an academic, who showed them some of the university facilities, afterwhich they watched a short documentary movie on the university' background and difficulties it has been facing by Israel policy since it was established. Then, a discussion took place with students who were present during this event. Later, all the participants, the volunteers and some of the academics were joined for lunch at the university' cafeteria.
Bethlehem old city and church of Nativity
After that, the participants went for a tour in the old city of Bethlehem and the markets until they reached the church of nativity where a tour guide took the group around and inside the church of nativity and the milk grotto. He shared all details and historical background about those places.
Meeting Palestinian Legislative Council members
The participants were supposed to meet with some members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). However, the meeting was canceled as the members were arrested by the Israeli Occupation Forces a day before.
Home stays with families
Later after noon, all the participants left to stay with host families, where they spend the evening with the families, have dinner and breakfast with them, and sleep until the following day.
