A day that's purely fun is a rarity for the women residents of the highly traditional and conservative Railway and Barbur neighborhoods in Ramle and Acco. But at the end of June, forty of the women met in Israel's Triangle region for a day of fun, solidarity and new learning experiences. This rare opportunity to leave the deprivation of their unrecognized neighborhoods and the claustrophobic constraints of their daily lives behind was a good enough cause to transform the opening 'getting acquainted' session into a celebration of music, dance and song. Meanwhile, the 24 children who accompanied their mothers on this adventure were cared for and entertained by Rana Awadi and Rasha Foodi, the Ramle and Acco community workers who had organized the day in the framework of SHATIL's Mixed Cities: Towards Recognition, an EU-supported project.

The group, some of whom are currently participating in personal empowerment programs operated by the project in Ramle and Acco, proceeded to Kfar Kara. There they met with women who, following their participation in an economic empowerment program, had established an olives enterprise and formed the Min Aj'eliki Association. Its impressive director, Amneh Kena'aneh, recounted how the idea was born, the challenges encountered and successes enjoyed. The questions and keen interest expressed by the Ramle and Acco women – not to mention ideas for their own enterprises – were indicative of the appeal that economic empowerment programs could have for them.

Further social and cultural activities at the Alahlam Park wound up the day in which these two groups of women shared and bonded. Last weekend, they had an additional opportunity to break out of their isolation and further these new relationships when they participated at another Mixed Cities: Towards Recognition multi-activity event that included a volunteer workday in Barbur to build a much needed children's playground (see story below).