Shati camp makeover

Here is one from Gaza, where after the war a group of artists got together to paint the houses in Shati refugee camp in Gaza city.

Shati Camp gets a makeover

Over the next week, the normally grey homes lining the sea front at Al Shati refugee camp, in the Gaza strip, are being given a colourful make-over by local artist and inhabitants.

Men on a scaffolding paint the facade of one of the sea front homes. Al Shati, Gaza
Men on a scaffolding paint the facade of one of the sea front homes. Al Shati, Gaza

Al Shati, also known as Beach camp, is a cramped refugee camp north-west of Gaza city. With a population estimated at 87,000 and squeezed in an area of 0.52 Square Kilometers, it is the third largest in the occupied territories. It is also amongst the poorest areas in the Strip.

Jehad Naiem Abaas, 25, an artist from Bet Lahia, takes part in the PADICO sponsored project to give Al Shati refugee camp a make-over. "So kids can run around surrounded by colour," he said. Shati, Gaza
Jehad Naiem Abaas, 25, an artist from Bet Lahia, takes part in the PADICO sponsored project to give Al Shati refugee camp a make-over. “So kids can run around surrounded by colour,” he said. Shati, Gaza
Mohammad Akila 20, lives in Shati and helps the Palestinian artists with the make-over of the normally grey buildings. "It's a beautiful idea, the kids will be happy and Shati will look really good." Shati, Gaza
Mohammad Akila 20, lives in Shati and helps the Palestinian artists with the make-over of the normally grey buildings. “It’s a beautiful idea, the kids will be happy and Shati will look really good.” Shati, Gaza
Project participants unload painted tyres from a tuk-tuk. Al Shati, Gaza
Project participants unload painted tyres from a tuk-tuk. Al Shati, Gaza
Al Shati refugee camp is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The month-long project is sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Al Shati, Gaza
Al Shati refugee camp is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The month-long project is sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Al Shati, Gaza

Dalia Adelrahman is the brain behind the project and explains the idea came from thinking about puzzles. She already successfully coordinated the make-over of Gaza city’s port earlier this year. “Over one month, we will paint some 90 homes, the ones on the sea front and part of the taller ones visible behind them.” The effort is sponsored by the Palestinian holding company PADICO.

Dalia Adelrahman, from Gaza, is the project's coordinator. She is behind the recent sea port make-over. The idea came from thinking about puzzles. Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza
Dalia Adelrahman, from Gaza, is the project’s coordinator. She is behind the recent sea port make-over. The idea came from thinking about puzzles. Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza
Usama Abu Ambra, 27, left, sits on the steps of one the brightly painted homes in Al Shati refugee camp. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Abu Amra didn't complete high school but works as a photographer and artist.  "We are doing this so children can play in pleasant surrounding, to make Shati more beautiful". Shati, Gaza
Usama Abu Ambra, 27, left, sits on the steps of one the brightly painted homes in Al Shati refugee camp. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Abu Amra didn’t complete high school but works as a photographer and artist. “We are doing this so children can play in pleasant surrounding, to make Shati more beautiful”. Shati, Gaza
Artist Jehad Naiem Abaas, 25, from Bet Lahia, takes part in the Al Shati refugee camp make-over sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza
Artist Jehad Naiem Abaas, 25, from Bet Lahia, takes part in the Al Shati refugee camp make-over sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza

Rami, who grew up in Shati, is a refugee from a village called Hamada, now in Israel, near Ashdod. “The sea moisture creates a lot of problems in the houses here,” he said.

Al Shati refugee camp is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The month-long project is sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Al Shati, Gaza
Al Shati refugee camp is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The month-long project is sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Al Shati, Gaza
Artist Mohamma Nijim, 22, from Sheikh Adwan, takes part in the make-over of Shati refugee camp. The project saw some 30 locals and artists involved. Shati, Gaza
Artist Mohamma Nijim, 22, from Sheikh Adwan, takes part in the make-over of Shati refugee camp. The project saw some 30 locals and artists involved. Shati, Gaza
Hamada Dere, 22, from Sheikh Adwan, is an artist taking part in the Al Shati refugee camp make-over. Showing photos of his paintings on his mobile phone he said proudly: "Everyone in my family draws, my brothers and my sisters, my brother was even selected in a talent show." Al Shati, Gaza
Hamada Dere, 22, from Sheikh Adwan, is an artist taking part in the Al Shati refugee camp make-over. Showing photos of his paintings on his mobile phone he said proudly: “Everyone in my family draws, my brothers and my sisters, my brother was even selected in a talent show.” Al Shati, Gaza

“They require a lot of maintenance both inside and outside. We would like to finish the outside with Jerusalem stone to protect the structure, but it’s so difficult to bring in and expensive. These colours at least will make the children happy and Shati will look neater.”

Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza
Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza

Adelrahman explained that due to conservative social norms in the camp, and the dangerous nature of some of the work, only men would take part. The group numbers about 30 and is made up of locals and artists from Sheikh Radwan and Bet Lahya.

Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza
Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza
Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza
Al Shati refugee camp, Gaza is given a make-over by Palestinian artists and inhabitants. The project was sponsored by the Palestinian share-holding company PADICO. Shati, Gaza
Al Shati unravels along the seafront north of Gaza city. Many inhabitants complain that over the years sea moisture has damaged many of the homes both inside and outside. Although the make-over is a temporary cosmetic solution, locals believe it will still enhance the area. Al Shati, Gaza
Al Shati unravels along the seafront north of Gaza city. Many inhabitants complain that over the years sea moisture has damaged many of the homes both inside and outside. Although the make-over is a temporary cosmetic solution, locals believe it will still enhance the area. Al Shati, Gaza