Screening and Discussion with the film makers (01.03.2006)

"Basket Kids"

A documentary video by Cheb M. Kammerer and Jawad Siyam

Jerusalem´s Mehane Yehuda Market is the biggest out door market in Israel. Recently it became also known as the most dangerous spot in Israel: no other place has been targeted more often by suicide bombings.

Basket Kids, directed by Cheb M. Kammerer and Jawad Siyam, 15 min., Arabic&Hebrew * English subtitles, 2006
www.basketkids.hamifal.net

Ala is a 12 year old boy from the neglected Anata refugee camp in the outskirts of Jerusalem. The economic distress of his family made him decide, that he wants to help his family to survive instead of attending school. Like many other childern he searches for work in the alleys of the Mehane Yehuda Market.

They children are exploited by some of the merchants as cheap labor power, available for a couple of shekels. Relating to the security threat they might pose, the market´s police and security forces disapprove the childrens presence on the market.

Uri Amedy, a representant of the markets management feels responsable for the children. Against all opposition, he initiates the social project "Basket Kids". In the bomb shelter of the Community Center he establishes a space where the children can meet with a teacher and a social worker or just have a bit of leisure time with people who see them as children.

Jawad Siyam, a Palestinian social worker from East Jerusalem is the main contact person for the children. He can´t persuade the children to go back to school, but he can offer them to use the projects facilities and participate in the educational programm it offers.