In the north of the Gaza Strip, where war has reshaped childhood into a daily struggle for survival, thousands of children grow up inside displacement camps, surrounded by uncertainty, fear, and loss. Amid these harsh realities, Al-Amal Society for Women and Child continues to create moments of safety and hope through its Monthly Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) Projects, offering children a place to learn, play, and simply be children again.
The CFS project is designed as a recurring monthly intervention, providing children living in displacement camps with a structured, supportive, and protective environment. Each cycle of the project begins with careful preparation. Safe locations inside or near the camps are identified, ensuring accessibility and protection for children and their caregivers. These spaces are then thoroughly cleaned and prepared, creating a welcoming and hygienic environment where children can feel comfortable and secure.
Before activities begin, materials are carefully selected, cleaned, and organized. Educational tools, play items, art supplies, and recreational materials are packed in advance, with attention to safety, age suitability, and inclusivity. Every item is checked and prepared to ensure it supports both learning and psychosocial well-being, especially for children affected by trauma.
Once the space is ready, trained facilitators and volunteers set up activity areas that encourage expression, creativity, and interaction. Children participate in structured learning sessions, group games, drawing, storytelling, and psychosocial support activities designed to help them healthily process their experiences. Play becomes a tool for healing, while learning restores a sense of normalcy disrupted by war.
Hygiene and care remain central throughout the project. Spaces are cleaned before and after each session, materials are stored safely, and children are guided in simple routines that promote cleanliness and self-care. These practices help protect children’s health while reinforcing positive habits in challenging living conditions.
Beyond the activities themselves, the CFS project supports families as a whole. Parents, especially mothers, are reassured knowing their children are spending time in a safe, supervised environment that nurtures growth rather than fear. The project creates a pause from daily hardship, allowing children to rebuild confidence, social skills, and emotional resilience.
In the midst of displacement and loss, these child-friendly spaces become more than tents or rooms. They become islands of safety, laughter, and learning. Through its monthly CFS projects, Al-Amal Society continues to protect childhood, proving that even during war, children deserve care, joy, and a future filled with possibilities.