We’ve now reached the end of the fourth week of the
project, and we only have two weeks to go! Time is flying and
we’re getting to know the staff and children really well, and
look forward to seeing their enthusiastic faces each week. We are
very pleased to be able to say that by the end of this week every
staff member involved had led at least one activity within
sessions, and what’s more, a small handful took on the
challenge of conducting whole group session with enormous success!
The staff are very enthusiastic and seem really eager to explore
how music can be used therapeutically to help children within their
school.

Our time here is divided between three schools; two days at the
ELS in Beit Sahour, two days at Dar al-Kalima in Bethlehem, and one
day at Hope School in Ramallah. We are slowly getting used to the
long journey to Ramallah, and found the energy to go to Taybeh
Oktoberfest this Saturday, having completed another successful day
at Hope School. This Annual Village Festival brings live music and
dancing to the West Bank, and is literally known as the village of
retreat. It was the perfect end to the day and we sampled the local
brew and danced to the sound of Palestinian Hip-Hop group DAM until
early sunset!

Despite having been a tiring week, we are very excited to see
how the staff will continue to develop the ideas and skills we have
been sharing this week. We are hoping to kick start our fifth week
in Palestine with staff at ELS Beit Sahour leading group sessions,
and completing the school day with a music therapy experiential
group for all staff members at the school.

Will be in touch soon with more news!

Best wishes

Teleri and Hazel