Ibdaa' Cultural Center Gutted by Arson

During the early morning hours of 26 August an arson attack in Deheishe Refugee Camp destroyed the computer lab, part of the Across Borders Project, and parts of the library of Ibdaa' Cultural Center. Thirteen computers and computer desks were destroyed while the server and scanner was stolen. Losses are estimated at $25,000 in equipment alone.

Within days of the fire, several fundraising events were held in the Bethlehem area to help reconstruct the computer lab. Refugee children from Shatila Camp collected a symbolic donation of $15 for the rebuilding project. Since the computer lab was constructed just over a year ago, refugee children and youth from Deheishe have been corresponding with refugees from Shatila camp in Lebanon. Donations for the reconstruction of the computer lab can be sent to:

Committee to Rebuild Ibdaa'
Bank Name: Palestine Investment Bank
Branch: Bethlehem Branch, West Bank, Palestinian Territories
Account Name: Committee to Rebuild Ibdaa
Account Number: 051940 - 72580 (for donations from overseas)
Account Number: 72580 (for donations from Palestine)
Across Borders Project Opens First Center in Lebanon On September 30, the Across Borders Project opened its first computer center in Bourj al- Shamali Camp near Tyre joining two other centers already up and running in Deheishe Camp- West Bank and in Khan Younis-Gaza Strip. For more on the Across Borders Project see:www.acrossborders.org.