Norfolk's Rev John Aves legacy helps Palestinian refugees

It was almost 20 years ago when the much-loved the Rev John Aves collapsed and died while walking along Star Street in Bethlehem. He has been working at the Dheisheh refugee camp which he loved with a passion.

<4> Rev John Aves, who died almost 20 years ago, but his memory lives on (Image: Aves Family Photo Collection)He had been spending three months with the Ecumenical Accompanier Program for Palestine and Israel (EAPP) Quaker Organisation. He lived in the camp, the largest in Bethlehem.

Following his death the John Aves Education Project (JAEP) was established by his widow Anne, sons Ben and Edmund. The team now includes Elizabeth Magem, Nicholas Taylor and Samia with supporters across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Anwaar, supported by the JAEP, with her midwifery degree at Bethlehem University (Image: JAEP)

Since then it has paid for the education of 61 young women and 19 men living in the camp to study for an undergraduate degree at their local universities and raised no less than £500,000. But what of the future at this terrifying time of death and destruction?

Yasmeen who graduated from Al-Quds University and is looking forward to becoming a doctor (Image: JAEP)Members of the project are in contact with their partners at Al-Quds University, a campus university in Abu Dis near Bethany, Bethlehem University and their students.

The campus of Al-Quds University – a different world (Image: JAEP)

“Checkpoints in the West Bank are closed, which means travel is restricted, so universities are shut and teaching and learning has returned online,” members explain.

“Universities are also shut to keep those that live nearer and can walk to the university without going through a checkpoint safe."

The Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem (Image: JAEP)

“We have heard that four young men have recently been killed in Abu Dis/Bethany. Our students tell us of nightly incursions into Dheisheh (and other camps in the West Bank) by Israeli Defence Force soldiers. How difficult it must be to live and study in such volatile surroundings,” they say.

Razan who graduated from Al-Quds University (Image: JAEP)The work of JAEP feels even more relevant as a grass roots project which financially supports the university education of young adults living in the refugee camp.Bethlehem University – a different world. Photo: JAEP (Image: JAEP)

As Anne says: “Every time I’m in Dheisheh I understand more and more why John was drawn to these warm, welcoming and dignified people who never give up hope for a better future.”

Members of JAEP meeting the students and joining their classes before home learning was resumed (Image: JAEP)Reverend Canon Dr John Aves, was the priest in charge of St Giles, Norwich, honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral, and diocesan director of continuing ministerial education.

A member of a family of builders and farmers, he served at Brixton Prison, St Peter Mancroft, Norwich, and Attleborough before heading back to the city.

He was passionate about his work in the refugee camp where he was when he died aged 52 and would be determined for it to carry on and grow.

A street in the Dheisheh refugee camp (Image: JAEP) For the 10th year JAEP is selling Christmas cards at the Original Norwich Christmas Card Shop at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich Cathedral shop and the Revelation Resource Centre at the St Michael at Plea Church, Redwell Street.

Every card spreads awareness of their work.