Responding to brokenness.
Your funds are on their way to Palestine. The first Joyful Sale of Broken Objects delivered £486 to people there.
The second distribution, this time of £5,000, is underway. We work with our wonderful Palestinian partners, using their advice to make the best use of your funds. This is what you (all) did:
A Broken community centre. A Community and Peace Centre in the West Bank was recently attacked by Israeli soldiers. They did a considerable amount of damage inside the building and used it to mistreat about 50 blindfolded young men and boys from the locality. But because of your participation in the Joyful Sale, £1,000 was dropped into their bank account. We respect their courage and resilience. The funds will be used by them to assist in the community recovery.
Broken water systems, schools, and homes. An inspirational organisation that works tirelessly to reach people affected by violence done by the Israeli army and settlers always needs cash, because the violence and destruction continues every day. This Palestinian initiative does things like repair destroyed Palestinian schools, repair vandalised village water systems, and secure medical treatment for Palestinian children. It is a phenomenon; active, compassionate and full of love. You stepped up, and they received £2,000. One of the team here has seen their work on the ground. It’s hard to imagine money better spent.
Broken bones. Because of your Joyful Sale purchases, someone we know went into a West Bank medical centre where they treat people with gunshot wounds, and left them with £530. The centre will use the funds to deliver more treatment than would otherwise have been possible. As well as that, an 11 year old boy that we know, partly paralysed by an Israeli bullet for ‘being cheeky’, received £110 from a bunch of random strangers - Joyful Sale participants - to help him get a medical operation he needs in Jordan to help him walk again. You did that.
Broken futures. One of our community contacts recommended that we stand with a West Bank women’s centre where women and girls come together to support one another and learn new skills they need to survive and cherish their loved ones under the violent and illegal Israeli military occupation. So you did, by handing over £530.
Two Broken homes. Two families who have had their home destroyed (one for a second time) and their hopes devastated by the Israeli army, were of concern to our advisors. Seeing the injustice, you - all of you who have participated so far - gave them £300 to share between them. There is value in letting them know we are with them for justice.
Broken objects. Finally, in this list, you (metaphorically) walked into a shop/shops where Israeli soldiers had smashed things up, and instead of offering sympathy you said, don’t worry about this lot, I’ll buy it all and help you clear up. Handing over £510 the cash helped the shopkeeper, suppliers, and their families and others affected by hunger and violence. And you reminded the shopkeeper that this is not charity, it is justice and less than they deserve.
We hope that participating in the Joyful Sale of Broken Objects has indeed been joyful so far. Thank you for bringing a little justice to people in Palestine.
The Joyful Sale is growing – please join in again and pass it on to your friends.
