A group of Mustaqbali Program youth ran “Let’s be happy” initiative targeting tens of orphans from Gaza and north Gaza to alleviate trauma and psychological impact as a result of the 2014 war, the loss of their fathers and the hard living conditions they are passing through.

The initiative was launched by University College for Applied Sciences (UCAS) in cooperation with Tamer Institute for Community Education and Baytouna Society as part of the Welfare Association’s Mustaqbali Program which targets orphans of 2008 assault on Gaza, empowering them through healthcare, education and career development to contribute in a long term development of Gaza.

Maha Muhaisen, Mustaqbali Program Manager, said, “Let’s be happy initiative is a recreational and educational day for children orphaned during the last assault on Gaza to relieve their tension caused mainly after the loss of their fathers. I’m glad today that the children are reacting and spending some good moments in this initiative which is led by Mustaqbali youth who passed through a similar experience. Such interaction gave us all a lot of hope toward a better future for them.”

On other hand, Mohammed Afifi, UCAS Development Projects Manager, said “The initiative targeted 70 orphan children from Gaza and north Gaza areas with a number of distinguished youth from Mustaqbali Program who are involved in the project of supporting high education opportunities and capacity building for youth at Mustaqbali, which is a program funded by Abraaj Group in association with Welfare Association.”

Through the initiative, animators and participants took part in various activities and corners such as painting, storytelling, animation, clay games and poppet creation.

“I participated today in this initiative to help those children have an opportunity for optimism and see the future differently despite the miserable conditions they passed through. I was in their shoes a few years ago when I lost my father during 2008 war. I know very well the importance of support that they need to overcome such hard time in this life.”, Harith Sakhla, 21 years old, animator and Mustaqbali beneficiary.

Esraa Khatib, 12 years old, lost her father in the recent war; and her house was damaged. She said, “I am happy that I am here today in this initiative; I played, sang and painted. This is my first time to go out and enjoy my time since last year. I remember my father who used to take me out for picnic.”