In the middle of a war zone, where fear has replaced laughter and destruction surrounds daily life, children in Gaza carry wounds that cannot be seen. Their days in displacement camps are filled with trauma, silence, and uncertainty, with no place to simply be children. To heal their young hearts, Al-Amal Society for Women and Children launched a project to create safe spaces for displaced children; places where they can learn, play, and dream again. These spaces offer much more than physical safety: they restore the joy of childhood, help children rebuild essential skills in reading, writing, and drawing, and give them the freedom to play on slides, swings, and playgrounds designed just for them.
The Challenge
The creation of safe spaces in the middle of war came with enormous challenges. The destruction of schools and playgrounds, limited resources, lack of safe infrastructure, and the deep emotional trauma experienced by children all stood in our way. It was heartbreaking to meet children who had forgotten how to smile, or to hear mothers share how their children no longer spoke or played due to the overwhelming fear they carried. Bringing joy and learning back to them felt almost impossible amidst so much devastation.
The Solution
But Al-Amal Society refused to let these challenges defeat our mission. With the help of local teachers, psychologists, and volunteers, we transformed makeshift tents and empty spaces inside displacement camps into vibrant, child-friendly areas. We provided books, drawing materials, and educational games to stimulate young minds, and we built small playgrounds with slides and swings where children could laugh freely again. Emotional support sessions were also introduced to help children process their trauma and regain a sense of normalcy. Every detail was designed to remind them that childhood still belongs to them.
The Result
The overarching goal of these resources will be to support Tijuana in addressing the humanitarian needs of migrants through the assistance of grassroots organizations that are focused on capacity building, convening, and infrastructure development.
Our Message for you
But the need is vast, and thousands more children are waiting for the same chance. With your support, Al-Amal Society can expand these safe spaces and continue giving Gaza’s children the tools, care, and joy they deserve. Every donation is not just a gift of books, toys, or slides; it is an investment in healing, in rebuilding young lives, and in ensuring that even in war, childhood is not lost.