Background

Jerusalemīs 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.

Ala is a 12 year old boy from the neglected Anata refugee camp in the outskirts of Jerusalem. The economic distess of his family made him decide, that he wants to help his family 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 marketīs police and security forces disapprove the childrens presence on the market. Specially when a suicide bombing occured the children face a lot of hostiliy and abuse.

Uri Amedy, a representant of the markets management feels responsable for the children - first of all for humanitarian motives: "Basically, these kids are paying their childhood as a price, mainly because of the problems where they come from, the economic distress of their families."
Against all opposition, not only from the Israeli side, but also from the Palestinian side, that treats all Jewish initiatives with a great deal of mistrust, 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 works with Uri. He is the main contact person for the children. He knows, that in most cases he canīt 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. He also meets the parents of the children and tries to help to improve their situation at home. He knows, that only a change in their immediate social environment will gradually bring the children back to attend school or a professional training.