Welcome to First Of The Month
The Big Read from Amos Trust
When the first lockdown began in March 2020, we were in the middle of producing the spring edition of our newspaper, Words Of Hope. Due to the challenges that Amos faced at the time, we felt that printing and posting a 24-page, full colour newspaper was perhaps not the best use of our resources, so — reluctantly, we decided to stop production.
This is its replacement — First Of The Month. Digital-only, long-form essays from Amos staff, friends and creative collaborators. In some ways it’s the opposite of the newspaper — it will only really cover one (sometimes broad), subject but it will be much more in-depth.
Each new edition will be available to read from our website on the 1st of each month for free. We’ll send out an email reminder for each issue so just sign-up here or use the button below if you don’t already receive occasional emails from us.
We imagine you reading it while sitting in your favourite chair. With a fresh cup of something. We hope you enjoy it.
Digital-only, long-form essays from Amos staff, friends and creative collaborators.
“Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is incredibly difficult for any woman, wherever they may be, whatever their situation. Receiving this diagnosis if you live in Gaza is even more devastating and complicated.” Katie Hagley writes about her recent visit to Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.
After a long wait, members of the Amos team were recently reunited in person with our partners and friends Karunalaya in Chennai, India. For some of us, it was our first visit. For others, a welcome return. Karin Joseph writes.
Musician Brian Eno said, “Palestinians are not asking you to save them. By calling for a boycott of Israel, they only ask you not to help Israel oppress them.” Chris Rose writes about Amos’ distinct view of Cultural Resistance and how we believe musicians, artists and writers have unique capital regarding boycotts.
Earlier this year, Amos Director Chris Rose visited our partner uMthombo in Durban, South Africa. It was an opportunity to connect with the uMthombo team after a long time due to pandemic restrictions and to witness the work of their frontline staff as they journey with young people living on the streets of Durban. Here are some of his reflections on that visit.
Over the past few months, we’ve been getting to know six climate activists who are fighting against climate and gender injustice in their communities and countries. Today, we’d like to introduce you to three of them. These three young women, whom we’ve met in person at the COP26 or virtually over the past few months, are passionate advocates for the rights of women and girls who are most affected by the climate crisis.
When I was a child, one of our neighbours in Gaza was a TV journalist, and she would let me wear her press vest. There I was, in a too-large navy-blue vest, holding the pestle that my mother used for crushing spices like a microphone, pretending to read the news from an Al-Jazeera news ticker. I would always end the ‘report’ by identifying myself as the Palestinian press icon: “Shireen Abu Akleh, Al Jazeera, The Occupied Jerusalem.” Walaa Sabah from We Are Not Numbers in Gaza writes about the killing of Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh.
Hello. Are you sitting comfortably? Welcome to 6 Stories, a literary update on our work from around the world. As the writer, James Joyce once said, “in the particular is contained the universal.” For what is given as being uniquely ours is often what we most have in common with every other person on this planet.
“I gave myself ten months to do it but gave up, defeated after four, admitting this would never be a popular fundraiser and that I was no runner. So Run The Wall was shelved.” Katie Hagley writes about how, eventually, Run The Wall became such a success.
“Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s ‘moral compass’, has shaped the ethos of Amos Trust, moulded our spirituality and inspired our imagination as much as just about anyone. His theology of hope has called us to seek out the very best sides of our human nature and his example has stirred us to activism. He showed us the power of hope.” We remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“Entering the Old City is a wonderful induction into Palestinian food and markets. Women from the surrounding villages sell fresh produce on the steps, the aroma of cardamom-infused coffee from street vendors hangs in the air.” Gemma Bell and Heather Masoud take us on a journey to the markets, restaurants and kitchens of Palestine. Photography by Issy Croker.
“Looking around at this moment, the way women and girls’ rights are being rolled back around the world can feel overwhelming, like a tidal wave.” In light of continuing violence and rights violations worldwide, Amos’ Karin Joseph asks, where can we find hope in the fight for gender justice?"
Amos Trust works alongside a wide variety of partners to promote equal rights for Palestinians, to campaign against Israel’s apartheid policies and to call for an end to the military occupation of the Palestinian territories. We seek to find creative ways to raise awareness, educate and challenge stereotypes by communicating the message and experiences of our partners and friends in the different areas within which we work.
As we re-launch our travel programme, the August edition of First Of The Month sees Amos Director Chris Rose inviting some of our Trustees to talk about the circle that we can’t square. “Are we trying to dance on the top of a pin? To justify the impossible? Is it like re-framing the question: “Which brand of cigarette will do me the least harm?” We all know the answer is none of them.”
The July edition of Amos’ First Of The Month sees the staff team write about hospitality. And food. “We have learnt so much from our partners and friends around the world, but possibly the greatest thing has been the gift and power of hospitality.” Dig in.
For the June edition of Amos’ First Of The Month, guest contributor and former Amos trustee Martin Wroe writes about Occupy, BLM, XR — and wonders if protest makes any difference. “There are moments in history when we are so incensed at the direction our politicians want to take us, at what they have done and at what they have left undone, that all we can do is take to the streets. But does a million people on a march make any difference? Does two million?”
“In the past few years, it’s been my great pleasure to be part of two large groups that have visited Nicaragua. We have gone to see the inspiring work CEPAD is doing in these communities that are facing the effects of climate change.” Peter Bone shares his experiences of travelling to Nicaragua with Amos Trust.
First Of The Month — a new big read from Amos Trust. Digital-only, long-form essays from Amos staff, friends and creative collaborators. For April’s edition, Asmaa Tayeh from We Are Not Numbers in Gaza writes about losing her 95-year old grandmother.
We work alongside grass-roots partners in Palestine, South Africa, Nicaragua, Burundi, India and Tanzania.
Reaching children on the streets, addressing their trauma, working with them and their families to reintegrate them into their homes, to realise their rights and recover their future.
Working with local and international peace activists, and partnering with grass-roots projects, to call for a just peace, reconciliation and full equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis.
Addressing the impact of climate change and the causes of extreme poverty, building sustainable rural communities and empowering them to realise their rights.
Bringing people together to meet our partners from around the world, visiting the communities they work in and seeing their projects in action — building solidarity and lasting friendships.
Amos Trust
Room 11
St Margaret’s House
15 Old Ford Road
Bethnal Green
London
E2 9PJ
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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