By Heidi Groover
Some children in Palestine could soon be playing on their own jungle gym, thanks in part to a University of Montana club.
The University of Montana Mount of Olives Arabic Language and Culture Club is fundraising for Playgrounds for Palestine, a nonprofit organization that provides playground equipment for Palestinian children.
The group is selling raffle tickets for cooking lessons with local chef and restaurateur Ray Risho, a gift certificate to the Silk Road and belly-dancing lessons at Aniysa Middle Eastern Dance and Supplies, among other prizes.
The club’s goal is to raise $1,000 a month until school ends and then members will continue fundraising until they reach the total cost of the playground equipment, roughly $4,500.
Ashleen Williams, a junior majoring in political science and president of the club, said University faculty inspired her idea.
“One of the touching things for me is that my Arabic professor and mentor Samir Bitar grew up playing in the dirt in Palestine,” Williams said.
She heard about the organization from professor John Measor and said she believes the issue is important because “this is about children and their right to a childhood—all children.”
Williams said the group has not received any criticism for supporting Palestine, which can be a sensitive and controversial issue.
“Playgrounds aren’t very controversial,” said Liz Higgins, a senior majoring in sociology and member of the club. “Schools can be kind of questionable because people ask, ‘Why? What are they teaching? Is it going to lead to something bad?’ But children are children, and they deserve to play and have a good time, no matter what.”
Sam Risho, co-owner of the Silk Road, said he didn’t have a second thought about helping out with this cause.
The restaurant donated a gift certificate for the raffle and has also been helping the group with advice and supplies, he said.
“Palestine is an area in need of something good. Anything that we can do to help out, we’re willing to do,” Risho said.
The group plans to donate part of its proceeds from the International Culture and Food Festival on March 14 and hold more fundraisers throughout the semester to raise $3,000 by May. One former club member, who now works with Playgrounds for Palestine and others who live on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, will be involved in coordinating with the organization, Williams said.
“This project is important because it brings a positive image in what is usually a very negative discussion,” Williams said. “But there is hope. Hearing stories from Samir has really cemented in me that we have hope for the future.”
Raffle tickets are $1 each, or six for $5, and can be purchased from Williams at (425) 210-8724. Raffle winners will be drawn March 22.
