PCRF - Summer Camps

Summer Camps for Handicapped Children

In 2001, the PCRF started a new project to sponsor summer camps for handicapped children in the West Bank and Gaza. The camps were designed to provide handicapped and able-bodied children with fun cultural activities, as well as teach them about health education and physiotherapy. Hundreds of children have participated in these camps so far and we hope to continue this success in the future.

PCRF sponsors two summer camps in Bethlehem
From July 20 to August 7th, the PCRF sponsored two summer camps in the Bethlehem region for disabled youths. The first camp was in Dar Salah village, in cooperation with Salam Society. 80 children were in this camp, 40 of them disabled. The second camp was at Idbaa Center in the Dhesheh refugee camp and included 85 children, 20 of them disabled. The purpose of these camps are to integrate disabled and mainstream children together to help break down the negative stereotypes that exist in Palestinian society towards disabled people. By doing that with children, we hope to have a long-term societal change in the way people see those who are suffering from physical disabilities. Kids participated in social and cultural activities in these camps, taking field trips and enjoying summer time learning about their country and society.

PCRF sponsors two summer camps in Hebron
From July 1-15, the PCRF sponsored two summer camps in the Hebron region. The first camp was called "Alaqsa camp" and had 170 children attend, 20 of those kids being disabled. The second camp was called "The Hebron Grape Camp" and inluded 300 children, 30 of which were disabled children. Both camps offered the children a chance to participate in educational, social and cultural activities in the summer months when they are not in school, and to interact in a manner in which they can develop relations and tolerance of other children.

PCRF Summer Camp assists "Our Children" of Rafah
On Sunday, August 5th, The PCRF sponsored its newest summer camp in the Southern Gaza city of Rafah. The one-week camp, which was done in associatioon with CBR rehabilitation center in Rafah, hosted nearly 80 children (30 handicapped children). The camp was titled "Our Children" and it provided the children with many fun and learning activities during the duration of the camp. The goal of all of the PCRF summer camps is to provide handicapped and healthy children an opportunity to interact, breaking down some of the current stigmas.

PCRF Summer camps head to the North
The PCRF returned to the West Bank district of Jenin to host its latest summer camp for handicapped children. The two camps ran from July 7th-July 23rd and took place in the Arrabh village and Jenin camp. The Arrabh village camp was partially sponsored by the Community Based Rehabilitation Program and served 85 children, 12 of which were disabled. The Jenin summer camp was partially sponsored by the Local Community For Rehabilitation of the Disabled and served 130 children, 17 of which were disabled.

PCRF sponsors 2 summer camps in Ramallah area
From July 1-18th, the PCRF sponsored a summer camp in Qarawa Bani Ziad Village in the Ramallah district for 70 children, 30 of which were disabled. The name of this camp was the "Tomorrow Better Camp." The PCRF also sponsored the "Farah camp" in the village of AL Mazra'a Al Kebaleh village from July 4-23. This camp was for 60 children and had 25 disabled youths. Both camps were for children to participate in social and cultural activities, as well as a chance for mainstream and disabled children to interact in a positive environment.

PCRF sponsors 2 summer camps in Southern Gaza.
At the end of July, the PCRF began its newest season of summer camps for handicapped children in Southern Gaza. The camps were sponsored by the PCRF, in association with the Palestinian medical relief and was held in the villages of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia. This marks the 7th year that PCRF has run summer camps in Palestine, the first ones sponsored in the summer of 2001. The most recent camps titled "Hope" and "Smile", hosted nearly 50 children, 25 of which suffer from some sort of physical or mental disability.

PCRF sponsors summer
camps in Palestine
Every year, the PCRF sponsors summer camps for poor and also disabled children throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The purpose of these camps are to help integrate disabled youths into mainstream society with other children, as well as to give kids cultural and social activities during the summer months when there are very little other activities for children to participate in.

2006
PCRF Sponsors summer camps
for disabled youths in Palestine
In June and July of 2006, the PCRF sponsored summer camps in each district of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, providing thousands of poor and disabled youths free social and cultural activities during their summer break. This comes at an increasingly difficult time in Palestine, when Gaza is under attack and the West Bank under siege. Children have too few opportunities to enjoy normal activities, especially children who suffer from physical or mental disabilities. By bringing children from different backgrounds together in Palestine, we are hoping to break down the cultural stigma facing children with physical disabilities in Palestinian society, as well as provide children and their families a normal childhood experience at a time when children in Palestine are suffering extreme political and economic hardships. The following camps were sponsored by the PCRF:

1. Ramallah: June 26-July 6. (70 children total, 35 with physical disabilities).
2. Kufr Na'ima village: July 5 - July 20. (100 children, 20 with disabilities).
3. Jenin Refugee Camp: July 15-July 25: (150 children, 70 with disabilities).
4. Burqeen Village: July 10 - July 24: (100 children, 30 with disabilities).
5. Tulkarem: June 26 - July 5: (150 Children, 20 with disabilities). * in Cooperation with the Red Crescent Society
6. Atil Village: July 1-July 8: (50 children, 30 with disabilities). * In cooperation with the YMCA
7. Dheisheh Refugee Camp: July 22-August 3: (100 children, 20 with disabilities). * in cooperation with Ibda'a Organization
8. Beit Jala: July 14- July 30: (100 Children, 25 with disabilities).
9. Azmout Village: June 30 - July 15: (160 children, 25 with disabilities).
10. Tamoun Village: June 20 - July 8: (120 children, 15 with disabilities).
11. Hebron: July 1 - July 15: (80 children, 5 with disabilities). * in Cooperation with the French Society
12. Hebron: July 8 - July 22: (150 Children, 120 with disabilities). * in cooperation with the Red Crescent Society.
13. Qalqilya: July 15- July 21: (100 children, 50 with disabilities). * in cooperation with the Amal Society for the Deaf.
14. Qalqilya: July July 15-July 25: (120 children, 30 with disabilities). * in cooperation with the Cultural Forum.
15. Beit Hanoun: July 1 - July 8: (50 children, 25 with disabilities).
16. Jebalia Refugee Camp: July 1- July 8: (50 children, 25 with disabilities).
17. Deir El Balah: July 2-July 14: (50 children, 20 with disabilities).
18. Khan Younis: July 1 - July 13: (90 children, 40 with disabilities). * in cooperation with the Bank of Palestine, Community Based Rehabilitation.

2005

"Future Camp" Comes to Northern Gaza
On August 6th, the PCRF sponsored its latest summer camp of 2005 in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia. 60 children took part in the camp titled "Future Camp", which lasted for two weeks, ending on August 18th. Over one-third of the 60 children who participated in the camp had some sort of physical or mental disability that normally prevents these children from interacting with other children their age on a social and educational level. The PCRF Summer Camps have helped bridge the gaps between kids through many fun and learning activities during the weeks. The Future Camp was also sponsored in part by other organizations such as the Swedish Organization SOIR and a local rehabiliation organization (CBR).

The PCRF Provides Happy Summer for Disabled Kids
On July 17, The PCRF sponsored 4th summer camp of 2005 in the Bathan village area of Nablus. The camp was sponsored in cooperation with the Woman's Society and Local Council of Bathan Village and the Near East Organization. The camp which was titled "Happy Summer" provided nearly 100 boys and girls a chance to participate in several fun activities with the 17 disabled children who were also in attendence. The summer camps' goal is to help children learn how to work and co-exist with children with disabilities. During the two-week camp, the children participated in several fun and learning activities. The camp ends on August 4th.

Smiles Light up at Rafah Summer Camp
On July 12, The PCRF began its newest summer camp for handicapped children in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. The was named "Future Candles" and is scheduled to last until July 23rd. Over 100 healthy and handicapped children particated in the summer camp, which led the children through various fun and learning activites. Each child that attended in the camp was given a free T-shirt for his/her participation. This marks the third camp that the PCRF has sponsored this summer.

PCRF Summer Camp Comes Back to Khan Younis
On July 10, the PCRF sponsored a summer camp for handicapped children in the Bani-Suhaila area of Khan Younis. The camp which is scheduled to extend to July 21st has over 80 healthy and handicapped children in attendance. The two-week long camp teaches children how to co-exist with other children with disabilities, while also participating in several activities, sports, and art exercises. The children learn about art, music, culture, and health education. The PCRF is one of the first organizations to sponsor these kind of summer camps and has sponsored over two dozen camps since starting the program back in 2001.

PCRF Holds First Summer Camp of 2005 in Central Gaza
On June 25th, The PCRF, in association with Dier Al Balah Rehabilitation Center (D.R.C.), sponsored a summer camp for handicapped children in the Gaza town of Dier Al Balah. The camp two-week long camp was attended by over 50 children with 20 of those children suffering from various disabilities such as deafness and walking disabilities. The camp was the first PCRF Summer Camp so far in 2005. The PCRF has sponsored over 20 camps since the program was started in 2001, providing over 2000 children with a relief from the stress of life under occupation. See other photos 1|2|3|4

2004

PCRF Summer Camp Provides More "Hope" for Children in Gaza
On August 7-20th, the PCRF sponsored its ninth summer camp for handicapped children in 2004. The most recent camp, which was named Hope camp, was held in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun and was sponsored by the PCRF in cooperation with a local rehabilitation organization called CBR and a Swedish organization called SOIR. Over 50 handicapped and healthy children participated in the two-week long camp, which provided the children with many fun and learning activities, including art, music, and dancing.

PCRF Summer Camp in Hebron Has Large Attendance
On July 22-August 8th, the PCRF sponsored a new summer camp for handicapped children in the Hebron district of the West Bank. The camp, which was organized with the help of the Ahli Dura Club there, had over 140 handicapped and healthy children in attendance. The children participated in several fun and learning activities during the two-week camp such as art, swimming, field trips, health education, and the environment. Each child was also given a T-shirt for their participation.

Bethlehem Hosts Summer Camp for Handicapped Children
On July 14-August 2nd, Bethlehem played the host of the PCRF's 7th Summer Camp for handicapped children in 2004. The camp was sponsored by the PCRF in association with the Aman Community Center for people with special needs. Over 100 children (from 6yrs to 13yrs) from Bethlehem and the surrounding villages participated in the 17 day camp. Both handicapped and healthy children played together in various activities including swimming, sports, crafts, field trips, and drama. The camp provided an opportunity for healthy and handicapped children to work together and learn more about children with disabilities.

Summer Camps Provide Helping Hand in Central Gaza
On July 27th, the PCRF continued its sponsorship of summer camps for handicapped children by sponsoring a camp in the town of Nuseirat in Central Gaza. The camp was organized in coordination with the National Rehabilitation Society there. Over 100 children attended the camp, 40 of which were children with special needs, including many children in the PCRF's child sponsorship project. During the camp, the PCRF distributed many wheelchairs to the children who needed them as well as prizes for all of the participants.

PCRF Summer Camp Comes to Ramallah District
In the middle of July, the PCRF sponsored another summer camp for handicapped children in the West Bank district of Ramallah. Over 90 handicapped and healthy children participated in the summer camp. The children benefited by the various events and activities during the two-week camp, including swimming, drawing, and dancing. The children were also given free t-shirts for their participation.

PCRF Summer Camps Come to Qalqilya
In the end of July, the PCRF sponsored a new summer camp for handicapped children in the West Bank district of Qalqilya. The camp which was titled the "beautiful sweet" camp was organized to help ease the tension and feeling of isolation that many children, especially those with disabilities, are experiencing due to the occupation of Palestine. The camp was attended by over 80 handicapped and healthy children between the ages of 6-14 years old. The main focus of the camp was to promote interaction among handicapped and healthy children, while increasing awareness about handicapped children and discussing how to properly integrate them into society.

PCRF Summer Camp Provides "Hope" in Nablus
In late July, the PCRF sponsored a new summer camp for handicapped children in the West Bank town of Nablus. The camp which was aptly titled "Hope Camp" was a joint effort between the PCRF and the Palestinian General Union of the Disabled. Over 80 handicapped and healthy children between the ages of 7-15 yrs old participated in the two-week long camp. The camp provided the children with a mixture of learning and recreational activities, including sports, art, theater, and field trips.

Summer Camp Provides Needed Relief to Children in Deir Balah
On July 3rd-17, the PCRF sponsored a summer camp for handicapped children in the Central Gaza town of Deir Balah. The two week camp had 50 children in attendance, 30 of which were children with special needs. The camp provided several different activities for the children including sports, educational exercises, and technical training. The camp was a complete success despite the increasing tension and violence in the Gaza Strip. The camp was able to provide the children a much needed release from the stress and tension of the occupation.

PCRF Sponsors "Freedom Camp" In Khan Younis
On July 10-22, the PCRF sponsored another summer camp for handicapped children in the Southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. The summer camp was titled "Freedom Camp" and mixed a total of 80 handicapped and healthy children together through various fun and learning activities. The summer camp took place during a period of growing tension and violence in the Gaza Strip. The PCRF would like to thank everyone involved in making the camp and great success during these difficult time.

PCRF Sponsors New Summer Camp in Tulkarem
On July 26th-August 5th, the PCRF sponsored the fourth Summer Camp for Handicapped Children in 2003 in the eel village near the West Bank town of Tulkarem. The summer camp provided 75 children (55 healthy and 20 disabled) a chance to interact through various fun and learning activities. The ten day camp provided the children a much needed release from the stress of the war and occupation and the PCRF hopes to continue the camp again next year. Photos 1|2|3|4

PCRF Sponsors Summer Camp in Jenin
On July 1-20th, the PCRF sponsored the third Summer Camp for Handicapped children in 2003. The camp was held at the Selat Al-Hartheah Charitable Society in Jenin and provided 145 healthy and disabled children the opportunity to enjoy numerous fun and learning activities. The activities included health education, sports, swimming, art, cultural activities, and lessons in handiwork. The camp was successful and the PCRF is already trying to make arrangements to have more summer camps in this district in the future. Photos 1|2|3

PCRF Sponsors More Camps for Handicapped Children in Gaza in 2003
On June 16, the PCRF held a new camp for handicapped children in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza. The camp began on June 16th and lasted until June 31st. The camp, which was sponsored in association with Hetten Association, is designed to provide an opportunity for both handicapped and able-bodied children to interact through several fun and learning activities. The PCRF was able to provide 65 children, both male and female, an opportunity to take their minds off of the war and occupation and enjoy the benefits of being a child again.

PCRF Co-Sponsors AL Houria (Freedom) Summer Camp in Jebalia Refugee Camp for Handicapped Children
On June 1, the PCRF co-sponsored a two-week summer camp in the largest Palestinian refugee camp to mix handicapped and mainstream children and provide them a chance to learn cultural and social activities, and try to have some kind of normal childhood. 150 Children with 20 volunteers are participating in the camp, which the PCRF co-sponsored with the YMCA-Jerusalem, Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) in Jabalia, and SOIR Swedish organization for Individual Relief – Jabalia. The PCRF will be sponsoring other summer camps for handicapped children in Palestine during the summer.

PCRF Camp for Handicapped Children
in Central Gaza
On July 13, 2002 the PCRF sponsored a summer camp in the Nuseirat Rehabilitation Center in the central part of the Gaza Strip. More than 150 children participated in this camp: 48 Cerebral Palsy cases, 50 mentally handicapped children and 52 mainstream children from surrounding refugee camps. The focus on this camp was to provide children and their families a break during the summer, as well as to have children interact with other kids having special needs. This helps to break down the stigma in Palestinian society towards handicapped and disabled people.

PCRF Sponsor's Camp in Southern Gaza
The PCRF sponsored a summer camp for handicapped and able-bodied refugee children in the Sultan area of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. From July 1 until the 15th, the camp integrated disabled and able-bodied children in a variety of fun and social activities.

PCRF Camp for Handicapped Children
Comes to Northern Gaza
From June 15 to the 27th, the PCRF sponsored a handicapped children's summer camp called "Smile for Hope," in which more than 300 boys and girls between 6 to 12 years old from the northern Gaza Strip participated in the camps. There were 150 handicapped children, 100 poor children and 50 children from families whose fathers were either killed or in Israeli prisons. The activities of the camp included computer and video games, drawing and art, trips to the beach, library activities, Cultural activities, like the traditional Dabkah dance, and theater.

The Sponsorship of Six Summer Camps for Handicapped Children in the Hebron District
In early August 2001, the PCRF sponsored summer camps run by Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) in the Hebron districts of Yatta, Samou, Daheriah, Beit Awa and Dura East and West. Over 500 handicapped and able-bodied Arab children participated in these camps. The main activities of these camps were: the implementation of several activities by local medical organizations concerning health education, including health tests, for children. It also included some physiotherapy information and lectures on many topics, such as oral hygiene. Agricultural activities concerning the planting and care of trees, while stressing to the children the importance of agriculture in society, were also part of the camps. In addition, there were many cultural and art activities that included theater, drawing, story telling, and art workshops. Physical and sports activities, as well as traditional plays, were also part of the summer camps. According to a report by CBR, the ãexistence of the CBR program in the community allocated in the most remote areas and dealing with the most oppressed people, has given us the chance to support our children in this difficult situation and draw a smile on their faces.