A team of local and international artists are seeking funding to paint murals in the Balata Refugee Camp [West Bank,Palestine]. We have put lots of love and intention into the project, and now we need your support on the final step. 

BEAUTIFY BALATA INITIATIVE

Beautify Balata is an Art Initiative sponsored by registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit Beyond Us & the Yaffa Cultural Center inside Balata. The project is simple but immensely impactful: Paint the Walls of the largest refugee camp in Palestine with beautiful art murals from professional street artists, Local and International.

Through collaborative, participatory public art-making, our initiative will promote healing, self-expression, and community experience by giving the children of Balata refugee camp a voice through art. Give a voice to the voiceless in the community, and allow them to paint their own reality. We believe art has the power to heal and inspire. Aside from the murals done by children, the artists will complete at least 10 Murals throughout the camp, to uplift & inspire the community with colors.

The project features children being guided by artists to make a mural of their own, such as one of all their hands with names. The project will also feature educational workshops to the children of Balata and lectures to artists in the community, provided by local and international artists. 

WHY BALATA CAMP?

Built as a temporary refugee settlement in 1950 for some 5,000 people, Balata is now home to over 27,000 people and sits on 0.25 sq. km. of land.  Balata has a larger population density than Manhattan by four times and is the largest refugee camp in the West Bank. Balata is notorious for unemployment, overpopulation, and poor infrastructure. Especially since 2000, conditions within the camp have worsened significantly and the general spirit of the camp has become more desperate. Youth make up for 60% of the population.

HOW WILL THIS HELP?

By providing access to educational and artistic resources, Beautify Balata will give the children of Balata camp the opportunity to create a community of truthful and inclusive self-expression.  The chosen local and international artists will paint their own murals and mentor the youth in the camp as they create their own art pieces. The project will also feature educational workshops which will focus on storytelling, enabling youth to shape their own narrative and launch transformative social change. Our initiative will provide an artistic platform for the community to express their struggles with the international community while also facilitating their collective healing.  

This initiative directly impacts the minds of the 32,000 residents in Balata each year by literally turning their concrete surroundings into a vibrant art piece, inspiring growth.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS 

> At least 15 colorful street Murals will be painted around the camp from local Artists & international artists from 5 countries. 

> Workshops with the kids in Balata, led by artists 

> Educational Exchange between local & international artists.

> Children of Balata will make and designs Art Murals of their own on walls

> Painting inside Yaffa Cultural Center (the main cultural & recreational center for kids in the Balata camp)

> International artists learning about Palestinian art culture.

ARTISTS 

• Local Art from Yaffa Cultural Center Artists and:

  • @el.7mz //  https://bit.ly/2MkBZU9

  • Majada Hashem // https://bit.ly/2yU334R

  • @justi_crusti // https://bit.ly/2KuUhAJ

• @Chris_Dyer // [Canada] // https://bit.ly/2UWqUNH

• @Himbad // [UK] // https://bit.ly/2KelvKu

• @Mue_Bon // [Thailand ] //  https://bit.ly/2Ya6Iu7

• @themetanoist // [USA] // https://bit.ly/2Ka5vJw

• @sebtoussaint [France ] // https://bit.ly/2YpugXt 

BUDGET

SPONSORS

We would like to thank our amazing sponsors: Jobedu, Ziet & Zatar, & Al-Yasmeen Hotel.

Their contributions are helping make this project a reality!

INSPIRATION

ABOUT BEYOND US

Beyond Us is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by Jallal Abdelhadi in 2017, Beyond Us was catalyzed by his trip to Palestine where he taught English in the largest refugee camp in the West Bank: Balata.

Jallal was moved to action both by his travels throughout Palestine and his family’s ethnic history as Palestinians.

Beyond Us was formed to become a bridge between individuals who are passionate about humanitarian relief and communities who need access to resources. It does this by identifying critical needs in communities and resolving these problems through project-based efforts.

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