- Title: Educational initiative provides solace to Gazan children in Cairo
- Date: 17th November 2024
- Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (NOVEMBER 9, 2024) (REUTERS) DRAWINGS ON THE WALL OF A CLASSROOM / CHILDREN ATTENDING ARABIC LESSON AT ‘AHFAD AL ZAYTOUN’ AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR GAZAN CHILDREN IN CAIRO GIRL SITTING IN CLASSROOM TEACHER AND CHILDREN DURING ARABIC LESSON CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN CLASS TEACHER WRITING ON WHITEBOARD ARABIC TEACHER INSTRUCTING BOY VARIOUS OF BOY WRITING FOUNDER
- Embargoed: 1st December 2024 12:49
- Keywords: DISPLACED EGYPT GAZA GAZA WAR GAZAN CHILDREN HAMAS ISRAEL
- Location: CAIRO, EGYPT
- City: CAIRO, EGYPT
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Middle East
- Reuters ID: LVA001027216112024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Young Gazan children who endured the trauma of war find solace in this after-school community program in Cairo, Egypt.
‘Ahfad Al Zaytoun,’ Arabic for ‘Grandchildren of Olives’, offers educational, mental health and cultural activities to help Gazan children residing in Cairo rebuild their lives.
Founded by Egyptian-Canadian Israa Ali, the volunteer-run initiative provides educational and creative programs for over 330 children aged from 6 to 17 by offering academic assistance, including lessons in Arabic, English, German, and maths, alongside activities such as graphic design, journalism, photography, and embroidery.
"There’s an educational aspect and a recovery aspect in it, and with both, they will grow with us. Hopefully, their emotional and physical health will improve while also learning," Ali said.
Since launching in May, the initiative, now in its second phase, has drawn widespread community support, with volunteers donating their time, material and expertise to foster a nurturing environment.
"Sitting at home was very annoying for me because, in Gaza, I used to spend most of my time either at the club or at school. When I came here (to Ahfad Al Zaytoun), I felt like I could finally use part of my time productively and stop thinking about other things,” fourteen-year-old Zeina Masoud, a participant in Ahfad Al Zaytoun, said.
As many as 100,000 Gazans had crossed into Egypt during the war between Israel and Hamas, where they lack the papers to enrol their children in schools, open businesses or bank accounts, travel, or access health insurance.
(Production: Sayed Sheashaa, Dina Sakr) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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