Emergency Fund for the Bedouin of Petra (Covid)
Donation protected
OBJECTIVE
An emergency fund is sought to help support the Bedouin families of the ancient site of Petra , Jordan. The families have lost their primary source of income due to the lack of tourists since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, more than a year ago. The village of Umm Sayhoun currently numbers between 1500 to 2000 inhabitants of the Bedoul tribe with approximately 200 individual households. Our goal is to raise US$11,000 to buy foodstuffs such as milk/formula, rice, bread, fruits and vegetables, canned/boxed goods, cooking oil, diapers and hygienic products as needed. Should we surpass this goal, any additional funds may be used to purchase seed for grain crops and vegetable gardens, food for livestock, and other basic needs.
Bedoul children pre-pandemic
THE STORY
The Covid-19 crisis has decimated Jordan's tourism industry and has hit the Bedouin inhabitants of Petra especially hard as their local economy is organized entirely on tourism. For decades, households in the Bedoul village of Umm Sayhoun (situated at the north entrance to the archaeological site), have been an integral part of any visitor's experience of the archaeological site, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World ). They sell souvenirs, create intricately designed sand bottles out of the colorful Petra sands, and escort weary travelers on camelback along the colonnaded street and on donkeys up the high cliffs to see the more remote, hidden monuments. They also work as tour guides, and maintenance workers, and contribute skilled labor on archaeological excavations, all of which is dependent on a steady stream of tourists, international travel, and foreign expeditions. When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, international flights came to an abrupt stop, and the necessity for social distancing halted all local tourism. One year later, visitors to the site are rare, jobs are scarce, and families are struggling (Read a news article about the impact of Covid-19 on the Petra Bedouin).
The Petra Garden and Pool Complex archaeological project has operated in Petra since 1998. During normal times (pre-pandemic), members of the U.S.-based archaeological team would work side-by-side with Bedouin workers, uncovering the remains of a 1st-century-BC royal garden located in the center of the ancient city. During each summer field season, the team resides in a dig house in the village and enjoys participating in the activities of the families' daily lives and their warm hospitality, forming valued, life-long friendships. In this time of crisis, the archaeological project would like to give back to the community with this emergency fund.
Archaeology students and men from the Bedoul tribe excavating.
The entire American-Bedoul excavation team in 2018.
Archaeologists enjoying Bedouin hospitality.
An emergency fund is sought to help support the Bedouin families of the ancient site of Petra , Jordan. The families have lost their primary source of income due to the lack of tourists since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, more than a year ago. The village of Umm Sayhoun currently numbers between 1500 to 2000 inhabitants of the Bedoul tribe with approximately 200 individual households. Our goal is to raise US$11,000 to buy foodstuffs such as milk/formula, rice, bread, fruits and vegetables, canned/boxed goods, cooking oil, diapers and hygienic products as needed. Should we surpass this goal, any additional funds may be used to purchase seed for grain crops and vegetable gardens, food for livestock, and other basic needs.
Bedoul children pre-pandemicTHE STORY
The Covid-19 crisis has decimated Jordan's tourism industry and has hit the Bedouin inhabitants of Petra especially hard as their local economy is organized entirely on tourism. For decades, households in the Bedoul village of Umm Sayhoun (situated at the north entrance to the archaeological site), have been an integral part of any visitor's experience of the archaeological site, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World ). They sell souvenirs, create intricately designed sand bottles out of the colorful Petra sands, and escort weary travelers on camelback along the colonnaded street and on donkeys up the high cliffs to see the more remote, hidden monuments. They also work as tour guides, and maintenance workers, and contribute skilled labor on archaeological excavations, all of which is dependent on a steady stream of tourists, international travel, and foreign expeditions. When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, international flights came to an abrupt stop, and the necessity for social distancing halted all local tourism. One year later, visitors to the site are rare, jobs are scarce, and families are struggling (Read a news article about the impact of Covid-19 on the Petra Bedouin).
The Petra Garden and Pool Complex archaeological project has operated in Petra since 1998. During normal times (pre-pandemic), members of the U.S.-based archaeological team would work side-by-side with Bedouin workers, uncovering the remains of a 1st-century-BC royal garden located in the center of the ancient city. During each summer field season, the team resides in a dig house in the village and enjoys participating in the activities of the families' daily lives and their warm hospitality, forming valued, life-long friendships. In this time of crisis, the archaeological project would like to give back to the community with this emergency fund.
Archaeology students and men from the Bedoul tribe excavating.The entire American-Bedoul excavation team in 2018.Archaeologists enjoying Bedouin hospitality.Organiser
Leigh-Ann Bedal
Organiser
Erie, PA
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