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Recent visit to Nahr el Bared

This was the first opportunity PfP had to visit the playground since its establishment in 2009. PfP founder, Susan Abulhawa, was delighted to report back that the playground looks great and the kids are getting great use out of it. Susan took the opportunity, while in Lebanon, to visit the camp and spend some time with the kids at Nahr el Bared. It was then she noticed that there is a tremendous need for youth facilities and activities and Nahr el Bared remains horribly impoverished. But thankfully due to the generosity of PfP and MECA supporters, Susan was heartened to see so many smiles because of the playground Playgrounds for Palestine had built!

A letter from Jenin

“…..that letter made my day ……It is worth all the efforts that we did at the fund raising party, and makes me feel that we need to do more so we can help more and more of our children.” Palestinian Liberation Organization Refugees Affairs Department Popular Committee of Services Jenin Camp Acknowledgment Honorable, Playgrounds for Palestine In co-ordination with ANERA Popular Committee of Services – Jenin refugee camp is honored to present our deepest thanks and gratitude to Playgrounds for Palestine for the financing of the children play ground in the Jenin refugee camp, which was carried out in coordination with ANERA foundation. It has had a great impact in bringing joy and happiness to the hearts of children in

Support Playgrounds For Palestine (with your feet or with your wallet)

Playgrounds for Palestine (PfP) is always looking for exciting new ways to raise much needed funds to build playgrounds for children in Palestine. This year is no exception, as PfP founder Susie Abulhawa will put on her racing shoes and run this year’s Philadelphia Half Marathon on September 21st. http://www.ingphiladelphiadistancerun.com/home.html And in case Abulhawa hasn’t put her body through a grueling enough experience in September, on November 23rd she and veteran Palestinian-American journalist (former Al Jazeera producer, and current Editor-in-Chief of the Palestine Chronicle) Ramzy Baroud will then run the Philadelphia Marathon. Susie’s children Natalie and

Fun Day in Nahr el Bared

September 12 was no ordinary day for the kids of Nahr El Bared Camp. Over 200 children gathered in the Mazen Afifi Playground for a fun day organized by PfP partners Bait Atfal Assoumoud and ANERA. The purpose of the event was to entertain the children and at the same time embellish the park established by PfP, MECA, and the Afifi’s in partnership with ANERA. The kids enjoyed their gifts and a variety of fun

Host a Palestinian Olive Oil Party

When you help PfP fundraise by buying our olive oil or hosting an olive oil party, you are doing more than simply providing playgrounds for Palestinian children. The World Bank estimates that Palestinian agriculture accounts for about 25% of the GDP, and olive trees are raised on at least 45% of all cultivated land. Traditionally, the Palestinian market for olive oil was internal, production met demand, and there were not excesses of oil to be exported to other

PfP’s Summer Film Nights!

On August 12th, PfP is screening Saverio Costanzo’s 2004 film Private. This film explores the Palestinian situation through the means of an allegory. Here’s a short description: “Inspired by real events, documentary filmmaker Saverio Costanzo’s feature debut is a minimalist psychological drama about a Palestinian family of seven suddenly confronted with a volatile situation in their home that in many ways reflects the larger ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people.” (Palestine Online Store) And here’s what you need to know: WHAT: PfP’s screening of Private WHERE: Ethical Society Building–1906 Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia PA WHEN: Wednesday August 12th, 2009 @ 7PM On August 15th, PfP is screening a second film, the documentary Jenin Jenin. This film features accounts of Palestinian’s who survived the Jenin Massacre of 2002. Here’s a short description: “This documentary chronicles the Jenin Refugee Camp after the Israeli

Thank you for another successful fundraiser

Thanks to all of you, our gala dinner and concert proved to be a wonderful evening and a successful fundraiser! We raised over $17,000 and still counting. To read all of the sordid details, click here To watch a video of the best moments of the evening, click here To donate, click here

Announcing A Gala Dinner and Concert for Gaza

On May 3, 2009, PfP will host a wonderful evening with friends and supporters for the benefit of the children of Gaza. The evening will feature a concert by renowned Lebanese singer/songwriter May Nasr. The evening will feature a concert by renowned Lebanese singer May Nasr. You can listen to her music online. Her voice is mesmerizing. Trained by Zaki Nassif, a composer for Fairuz, she is one of the few artists who can truly sing Fairuz songs with their full meaning and liveliness. It was the knowledge of this potential that brought Zaki Nassif out of retirement upon hearing May�s voice. The event will take place at the beautiful ACE Conference Center with is picturesque setting. The evening will also include…. Gourmet dinner, silent auction, raffle and door

My Annual Olive Oil Party for PfP, by Karen Kovalcik

When I first learned of Playgrounds for Palestine’s incredible mission and gifts to children in need of hope, the obvious reaction was how can I help? After a few conversations, I found out about the wonderful olive oil that comes from this holy land and how the purchase of it brings goodness to so many. I had no idea of

Please sponsor our run in the Philadelphia Marathon!

Dear friends, family, and supporters of PfP – Please Sponsor Us! As many of you know, Ramzy Baroud and I are teaming up this year to run the Philadelphia Marathon in November to raise money and awareness of PfP. Toward that goal, on Sunday, 21 September, I (along with my wonderful neighbor, Nelson Dunham) ran the Philadelphia Half Marathon, mostly as a half way point in training, but also to put on the table

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Phoenix Elementary in Gaza

We are excited to announce the launch of an initiative we’ve been working on for a while. PfP established a school in Gaza for grades 1-5. We’re in our third week now of operation and it’s amazing. The school is a mixture of traditional and non-traditional learning. The first few days were focused on getting to know each other, consulting with children about what they want to get out of the school, how they want to decorate the space, and assessing their skills and abilities. It was decided to name the school: Phoenix Elementary. مدرسةالعنقاء As you can see, the kids were over the moon to be in a classroom after their lives were turned upside

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Enjoy, laugh, play! Our donation is for the children of Palestine in memory of our beloved friend, Marita Boullata.  Marita lived in Palestinian in her early marriage. She championed its land, culture and people, especially children.