The genocide in Gaza has taken an unimaginable toll on Palestinian children. Most have lost family members and their homes. Schools have been destroyed, depriving kids of education and the everyday experiences of childhood.
Thanks to supporters like you, more children in Gaza are getting the chance to learn, play, and enjoy time with friends again. Recently, AFSC and partners rehabilitated a severely damaged and burned family home into a learning center for kids.
The project was challenging for our team on the ground. Israel continues to obstruct humanitarian aid to Gaza, so we cannot bring in the basic construction materials needed to rebuild and repair damaged buildings and infrastructure.
So our team adapts, sourcing—and even repurposing—what we can locally. We get creative. We turn wooden pallets into furniture and structural elements. We collect and reuse salvaged nails and other materials.
And step by step, our team turned a damaged, abandoned structure into a welcoming space for children.
Today, the center is filled with children’s voices, laughter, and activity. Kids take part in educational sessions, recreational activities, creative arts, games, and group exercises designed to support both learning and emotional recovery.
For many, the center has become a place where they feel safe, valued, and hopeful. They’re building friendships and finding moments of joy amid the most difficult circumstances.
Parents tell us they have noticed the difference, too. Their children are smiling more, interacting with others, and looking forward to each day at the center. Word has spread, and more families are now asking to enroll their children.
This center is one of five that AFSC supports in Gaza, serving about 1,500 children. A team of 30 facilitators works across these centers.
This learning center is proof of what’s possible, even amid devastation. With your support, we can create more spaces like it—and give more children a chance to be children and hold onto their humanity.
Thank you for being part of that work.
