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.
More details about the fund on our donate page
Since October 2023 a large number of projects have started in Gaza and beyond. On this page we would like to present to you all the projects that have taken place over the last year, or are still active today.
With the deepest respect for all our local team members who, against all odd, always keep going.
It is now December 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, illnesses, extreme cold and heat causes deep trauma and sorrow!
Over two million people are packed together on 25% of an already very small territory (293 square km). 85% 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 put out of service. During 14 months, a miles-long row of trucks with relief-supplies repeatedly gets denied access to the territory leading to starvation and lack of all basic needs for all inhabitants.
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 building, our home base, has been badly damaged.
For months, it served as a refuge for more than 10,000 people who could no longer rely on any form of infrastructure. And yet, as soon as the situation allowed, people started giving lessons and organizing activities for children again.
For example, a summer camp has been held in different camps and many children are welcomed every day in the building in Khan Yunis.
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Although the Academy for Young Talent has been completely destroyed, it’s staff members are continuing their work. The 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.
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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. However, they continue to offer exercise, games and other diversions, and food. And they also create a constant stream of videos that are visible to millions of people via TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
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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 of the lives of children in Gaza.
He also formed a team with whom he moves from refugee camp to refugee camp to work with many hundreds of children and mothers. With this new team he combines activities in the fields of art and games with providing humanitarian aid, including education, food, ovens and water.
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"We Still Have a Future" Primary school. As soon as he was able to return to his own neighbourhood, Mister Karam set up a school in Khan Yunis. Here 350 children receive lessons on four days a week. Next to seven teachers in basic subjects, arts and dance, there are also three therapists to help the children deal with fear and loss.
The Ministry of Education has recently recognized the project as an official school and Unicef sees opportunities to support Karam and HOPE to further develop the school.
The Edward Said Conservatory was able to realize a heartwarming summer camp with music, art, dancing, circus and puppet theatre! You don’t often come across this much inclusivity.
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Mothers and daughters. Early in 2024, Maher Dawood and his wife Noha started a project for mothers and children. This project 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 successful pregnancy, this project came to an 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 unimaginable reality they are living in. After multiple evacuations, the cinema is now traveling around 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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Theatre in the camps
In November 2024 Dorgham came up with the idea to make a theatre play about life in the camps. There is a director, actors, musicians and a group of young girls who dance Debka. The play attracts a huge audience. The play ridicules the situation and really makes people laugh because they recognize themselves. Self-mockery is a fantastic way to pull yourself together.
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HOPE on the road. Mustafa Muhanna, a visual artist from Northern Gaza, also came to us with a proposal. Despite the incredibly harsh conditions in the north of Gaza, he and two friends gather groups of young children in the streets. They then engage them 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.
At the moment he is developing a puppet show with which he will tour Gaza City starting 2025. He even has taught himself ventriloquism for this!
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Art and Stories in the Camp
Two young women who feel responsible for their community have started telling stories to young children and visualizing these stories.
By choosing stories with important meanings and the accompanying activities, they try to let the children dream, fantasize and to feel free to speak about their situation and how to deal with it.
With the help of Hiba, a professional storyteller and teacher in the West Bank, we see that these ladies are developing themselves at a rapid pace. It is very encouraging when you see people stand up for their community and make great efforts to do something positive.
Hiba Saida and the BeeHomeAcademy are our strongholds on the West Bank. Hiba teaches in libraries, schools, and community centres in different cities and camps. She is by no means always able to do her work as planned. There are many raids all over the West Bank. Also there are regular bombings, shootings and many buildings are being destroyed.
BeeHome will expand in 2025. Online courses will be offered for which certificates can be obtained. Many young people in the diaspora want to do something for their community and the local children, but it is often very difficult to get education and diplomas. Offering online courses can help them start something and gain work experience. The certificates can help them find paid work.
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At Ketermaya 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.
After the war in Lebanon in 2024, the population of the camp has grown and despite the new situation in Syria, most families will remain for some time in Libanon before deciding to return.
The development of the children in this camp is lagging behind, which is why we are currently looking into the possibilities of having a life-skills teacher join Yanal in 2025 to train in subjects such as self-care, communication, stress management and self-awareness. We hope that this will increase their chances of achieving something outside the camp.
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The Artichoke Studio is a project by a team of art therapists in Beirut who remotely coach the various teachers in Gaza.
Despite the unstable situation in Lebanon, they continue to do everything they can to support. We are very grateful for their involvement. They are indispensable to us.
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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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