Despite fear, Gaza children still have hope
Reageer (0)Added by PT Editor Mohammed Said El-Nadi
14-2-2010Gaza children have suffered a lot under Israel's cruel siege. The recent war on Gaza destroyed any hope they had of a normal life, replacing it with fear. But now they are trying to return to normal life, even while they are still under siege.
The first attack of the war hit Gaza in the morning when schools were in session. Everything was quiet; the students were attending their lessons, when all of a sudden, a terrible explosion shocked the children ....
One of the aims of that Israeli war was to destroy the people of Gaza emotionally as well as physically. However, the surviving Gazan children still hope to fulfill their dreams.
Currently, a number of organizations and associations are working to restore the optimism of the children of Gaza by offering activities and projects to help, trying to make them forget the horrors of that war.
The children of Gaza also need the support of the international community. That is why they are sending messages to the world, asking to be supported in their quest for a happy life, just like any other child elsewhere.
A study published by the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme found that 87 percent of children are now afraid of darkness, which causes them to cling to their parents at night, unable to sleep alone. Ninety-two percent feel insecure, anxious and tense. Sixty-eight percent are having problems at school, like lack of concentration. 76 percent of them are showing behavioral problems like isolation, social withdrawal, and aggression. 70 percent of them are constantly in a bad mood, feeling frustrated and depressed. 34 percent of the children are suffering from bedwetting, and are in need of consultation and family counseling.
The children of Gaza are asking foreign visitors a lot of questions, such as "are Palestinian children worth just as much as other children in the world?" If so, why are they intentionally treated as sub-humans? Foreigners usually can't answer these questions. Meanwhile, Palestinian children always look hopefully towards the future expecting one day to overcome their fears.
It is high time now to think of what we can do for the children of Gaza, to at least bring the innocent smile back to their faces.
Story and photo by Majed Ismael Abusalama
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