Following the war of 2021, HOPE initiated its Cultural Emergency Fund. Through this fund we can support a wide variety of initiatives set up by local artists and teachers to help children who are suffering the consequences of war and destruction. In times of great loss and emotional devastation, we intend to tap into this fund to provide whatever is needed – whenever and wherever – to offer the children of Gaza some relief.
Read more about this fund on our donate page
Since October 2023 a large number of projects have started in Gaza and beyond. With the deepest respect for all our local team members, who always just keep going, on this page we would like to present to you all the projects that have taken place over the last year, or are still taking place today.
It is now October 2024, and to date more than 16,700 children have been killed, and a similar number of children have been mutilated in Gaza. Many young and promising talented people have been murdered. Through these actions, the world has robbed itself of something of vital importance.
The image of the world we grew up with, a world that defended human rights, that world has now died itself.
Having to flee, losing your home, fleeing even further, fear of death, losing people, hunger, thirst, cold, heat, trauma! Sorrow!
Over two million people are packed together on 25% of an already very small territory (293 square km). 80% of Gaza’s buildings have been bombed. People are staying in tents, in the open air, or crammed together in the remnants of buildings. There are no more sanitary facilities and most hospitals have been bombed. Since the start of the war a miles-long row of trucks with relief supplies is waiting to get access to the territory.
We therefore take a deep bow to pay tribute to our Palestinian family members, colleagues, and friends. They are desperately hoping to stay alive and safeguard their knowledge, skills, and culture in order to pass these on to next generations. The simple fact that they are continuing their work has become an act of resistance in itself.
We have managed to stay in touch with everyone, sometimes in miraculous ways, which has allowed us to continue supporting them, and involving you in their unimaginable achievements.
PROJECTS
The Open Studio in the Palestinian Red Crescent Society building, our home base, has been severely damaged. For months it served as a place of refuge for over 10,000 people who could no longer rely on any kind of infrastructure. Heavily wounded people were lying on the floor next to people who were not-yet-wounded. The stench was indescribable. And yet, as soon as the situation allowed, people started giving lessons and organizing projects again.
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To many children, the Breakdance Academy in Gaza City has remained a place of refuge. Communicating with them is often difficult and sometimes we lose contact for weeks. However, they continue to offer shelter, exercise, diversions, and food. And they also create a constant stream of videos that are visible to millions of people via TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow MYUZ on Instagram
Although the Academy for Young Talent has been destroyed, it’s staff members are continuing their work. The small artworks created as part of this project are very touching. It is clear to see that these children are coached by professionals, in the fields of both the arts and trauma counselling. The lack of materials like paper seems to have made them even more creative. This has also resulted in a ‘traveling panorama’ that is exhibited in Europe.
Mohammed Shurrab. The media lab for children was destroyed by the bombings, which also meant all equipment was lost. Mohammed fortunately still has his camera which he consistently uses to makes reports.
He also moves from location to location to work with many hundreds of children and mothers. With his new team he combines activities in the fields of art and games with providing emergency aid, including education, food, and water.
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The Edward Said Conservatory was able to realize a heartwarming summer camp! You don’t often come across this much inclusivity.
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Mister Karam. As soon as he was able to return to his own neighbourhood, Mister Karam set up a school in three gardens. Here 250 children receive lessons on four days a week. Except for six teachers in basic subjects, there are also three therapists to help the children deal with fear and loss, and are trying to create a sense of security.
Mothers and daughters. Early in 2024, Maher Dawood and his wife Noha started a project for mothers and children. This project too consists of a combination of art, games and emergency aid, with an additional focus on hygiene and mental health. Due to Noha’s extremely difficult, but fortunately ultimately successful pregnancy, this project had to end after only a couple of months.
Cinema in the camps. An artist who is new to HOPE, Dorgham Quraiqi, came to us with the idea of showing films in the camps to give the children a chance to momentarily escape the senseless reality they are living in. After multiple evacuations, the cinema is now set up in the centre of Gaza.
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Swimming pools in the camps
During the sweltering hot summer, Dorgham travelled around with five paddling pools to offer hundreds of children an opportunity to cool down a bit.
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HOPE on the road. Mustafa Muhanna, a visual artist from Northern Gaza, also came to us with a proposal. With two of his friends, despite the incredibly harsh conditions in the north of Gaza, every day he gathers a group of young children in the streets. They then jointly engage in a variety of artistic projects through which they try to bring colour to the streets as a gift to unknown passers-by. His philosophy is: Try to love somebody you don’t know.
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Art and Stories in the Camp is a project by two young girls, Nour and Suha, who have joined a small pop-up school where they tell stories to inspire children to create something.
Hiba Saida and the BeeHomeAcademy are our strongholds on the West Bank. Hiba teaches in and around Ramallah in libraries, schools, and community centres. She is by no means always able to do her work as planned. The West Bank too is full of snipers. Also there are regular bombings and many buildings are being destroyed.
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At Catamaya Camp in South Lebanon, the Syrian theatre maker Yanal Mansour has been giving lessons in games and theatre to children who are living in an area that is far removed from the rest of society. Unfortunately he is currently unable to reach the camp, and the conditions in the camp remain unknown.
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The Artichoke Studio is a project by our team of art therapists in Beirut who remotely coach the various teachers in Gaza. They do everything in their power to help, but are currently under fire themselves in Lebanon and put to work for the local Red Cross.
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HOPE in Europe.
In Palestine, the Netherlands and Belgium, HOPE is also running at full speed. Whenever asked, Ingrid and Suzanne give lectures, build exhibitions, and teach. We all feel incredibly supported by various funds, organizations, and individuals. These include Marlon de Gruijter who went on a cycling tour to raise € 25,000 for Mister Karam’s school, and the Asser Institute who we started a collaboration with.
In Brussels there are regular events in collaboration with Pallets of Palestine where the situation in Gaza is presented through various art forms.
Multiple benefits have been organized to support HOPE, for instance at the MoMu fashion museum and Blikfabriek in Antwerp, ‘Samen voor Morgen’ (Together for Tomorrow) in Brussels, Rotary The Hague and Rijswijk, Fella Eindhoven, and various private initiatives.
Would you also like to organize a benefit for HOPE?
Please let us know!
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