Gaza Summer Games
Last year’s “Summer Games” initiative in Gaza provided much needed recreational opportunities for the youth of the beleaguered territory. These types of opportunities are rare in Gaza.
As the largest youth recreational initiative to have taken place in Gaza to date, UNRWA’s Summer Games 2008 catered to over a quarter of a million participants over a period of 10 weeks. The activities on offer include swimming and a variety of sports, arts and crafts, creative reading, drama, environmental activities and field trips to the newly opened Museum of Archaeology in Gaza.
Ghadeer Amawi, aged 13, said of Summer Games: “Here I do something… I swim, draw and build sand castles… I feel sad when it is time to go home.”
“At home, I don’t do anything but help my mother. I feel bored all day. But here, I feel there isn’t enough time in the day to practice everything!” she added.
Diana Al-Za'anin, 10 years, another Summer Games participant, said, "I like drawing very much. Here, I build houses and shelters in the sand and swim with my friends all the time. In Beit Hanoun, people rarely go to the sea because of the difficult situation. But here we are provided with everything."
Hanin Al-Kafarneh, 12 years, shared the same opinion: "Here, I am very happy with my friends in Summer Games. I hope it will be repeated many times. I like swimming the most, as well as building sandcastles."
John Ging, UNRWA director of operations in Gaza, said: “The children of Gaza deserve and need an escape from the psychological trauma of their daily misery.”
Noting that every single item of equipment for Summer Games – including footballs, coloring pencils and even paper – had to be specially brought into Gaza by UNRWA, Ging stated, “It is so important to provide children with the opportunity that children in other countries often take for granted. The potential for a better future will only be achieved if Gaza’s younger generation is provided with the semblance of a normal life – creative learning experiences, room for self-expression, and opportunities to develop their skills”.
“Over 400 UNRWA teachers and education staff will be giving up their summer vacations in order to work on this. I pay tribute to them and all staff who have worked tirelessly on this project for their dedication and commitment,” said Ging.
