Over the course of one month, the Mayasem Association for Culture and Arts, with the support of UNESCO, urgently reached 5000 children and youth, alongside 3000 caregivers in the central and southern governorates of the Gaza Strip, providing them with much needed psychosocial support. Close to 10% of participants included people with disabilities.
Fostering Cultural Connection and Belonging
The activity’s primary goal was to nourish and immerse the participating children and youth in their cultural heritage, strengthening their sense of belonging amid hardship and daily life challenges. This was achieved by implementing a series of engaging trainings and performances in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah areas in Gaza, designed to engage with participants and uplift their spirits.
Highlights of activities:
Theater: Children participated in theater sessions, where they were trained to express themselves in relation to their lives through performances and storytelling.
Dabkeh: In the traditional dance sessions, children learned to perform dabkeh and traditional dance to the tunes of cultural music and communal spirit, celebrating their heritage. Dabkeh was inscribed in 2023 on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural heritage.
Music: Music sessions allowed children to sing together and foster a sense of community and joy. The combination of singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments helped children express themselves freely.
Popular Games: Engaging in traditional games, the children developed self-confidence and social skills. In addition to bringing them joy, the games were instrumental in teaching teamwork and social cohesion.
Drawing of Cultural Sites: Participants were introduced to 20 significant cultural sites in Gaza, which they then illustrated, providing a unique opportunity for the children and youth to learn about their heritage and express their creativity through art, while keeping the memories of these places alive.
Throughout these activities, UNESCO and its partner delivered necessary recreational activities and psychosocial support to children, youth and their families, while celebrating and reviving their cultural heritage.
