Bustan L'Shalom is dedicating 2010 to the community of Quasr Al-Sir, working on matters of Environment, Economic Development and Community. During the coming year, Bustan is hoping to finish the construction of it's Green Community Center. While the construction is taking place, Bustan will focus its efforts on several main activities:

 

 

1. "Rikma Ambassadors" - in cooperation with the Heschel Center, this program aims to seed the principals of sustainable development amongst a core of men and women, members of the Quasr Al-Sir community. Throughout the program the group will learn different skills of sustainability, and along side the village's managing committee, formulate the community's vision for the future. As part of the program, the participants will design and implement various projects that will not only contribute to the community's quality of life, but also raise the general awareness on matters of sustainable development.

 

2. Community Formation Activities: Working with and for the community requires strong and closely bonded individuals. Bustan wishes to begin is community development projects with a "Green Fair" day, with both fun and educational activities, such as a free-trade market, mud-building workshops, recycling-for-art classes and even a Camel Race! The day will end with a facilitated group-discussion on the community's vision on its own growth and development. The day will be led by the participants of the "Rikma Program" mentioned above.

 

3. Village Construction Committee: Bustan wishes to form a committee of professionals, which will include an engineer, a construction manager, a green architect and a lawyer, which will gather on fixed basis and provide the community with advice on matters of construction and planning.

 

4. Women and Men Cooperatives: Bustan believes that the formation of village cooperatives will be of a true benefit to the community's economic and social development. Bustan is already aiding the group of Bustan-Trained Green Construction Workers to form their own cooperative, and is now investigating different possibilities to aid the women of the village to form their very own business cooperative.