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
“…..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
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 Amir also plan to do their part and run in the children’s 1 mile event. http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/ PfP plans to host a party the evening before the marathon, where people can gather to support
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 activities such as wall painting, trees and flowers planting and other interactive games. Children planted eucalyptus trees and climbing roses. Running races and tug-of-war were held. The children helped paint colorful murals, and over 500 Spider Man and Cinderella stickers were passed out
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 markets. Since 2006, however, Palestinian farmers have increased production dramatically, and the increase in supply means that there is tons of oil available to export. It has been a challenge for farmers to find markets for these exports. Other Arab countries, notably Jordan, have provided small markets, but they have also developed their own olive oil agriculture and are able to produce almost entirely the oil needed internally. Organizations like PfP which
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
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
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
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 the reverence of the olive trees in this region of the world, and the history of these 2000+ year old trees. The privilege of
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,
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 down. Grades 1-4 are focused on Arabic, English, math, and science, while grade 5 (along with anyone in grade 4 who wants) will solely
Play, while it cannot change the external realities of children’s lives, can be a vehicle for children to explore and enjoy their differences and similarities and to create, even for a brief time, a more just world where everyone is an equal and valued participant.