Les enfants de Gaza

Les enfants de Gaza
Par Saleh al Naami
Khamis Wafi, 10 ans, a une bonne raison d'être heureux : c'est la première fois qu'il ne sursaute pas au bruit d'un ballon qui éclate. Cette "prouesse" est le résultat du traitement supervisé par Ali Nasman, un psychiatre qui s'occupe de douzaines d'enfants palestiniens de la Bande de Gaza, en particulier dans les régions du nord, traumatisés par le fracas des explosions des opérations israéliennes qui ciblent la Bande de Gaza, en particulier pendant l'Opération Eté Chaud qui a commencé à la fin février.
L'idée de base du traitement est d'habituer les enfants aux bruits des explosions, de manière à en réduire les effets psychologiques. Ce processus a eu des résultats positifs sur quelques enfants, alors que d'autres continuent d'être terriblement effrayés lorsqu'ils entendent un ballon exploser.

La situation est tellement commune qu'investir dans le traitement des chocs psychologiques subis par les enfants en conséquence des opérations de bombardement se justifie pleinement. Ibrahim Hawash, 42 ans, appelle fréquemment sa femme pendant ses gardes nocturnes pour s'assurer qu'elle suit le traitement prescrit pour l'énurésie de leurs enfants.

Le docteur de la famille a confirmé que les quatre enfants, qui sont à l'école primaire, ont perdu leur capacité de contrôle de leurs vessies à la suite du choc qu'ils ont subi lorsque les Jets de l'armée israélienne ont bombardé une maison près de la leur, dans le camp de réfugié de Jabalya, au nord de la Bande de Gaza, pendant la campagne militaire Eté Chaud.


Les quatre enfants se souviennent toujours de la nuit terrifiante, lorsqu'ils ont soudain été réveillés par le bruit assourdissant de l'explosion et se sont rendus compte que les vitres de leurs fenêtres avaient atterri sur leurs lits.

Ibrahim, qui travaille dans un service palestinien de sécurité, a dit que ses enfants, terrorisés, refusaient de dormir seuls et insistaient pour dormir dans la même chambre que leurs parents.

Il a ajouté qu'il a mis du temps à persuader deux de ses enfants de repartir à l'école, tellement ils avaient peur que les opérations israéliennes de bombardement aient lieu sur le chemin de l'école, ou pendant qu'ils étaient en classe. Des milliers d'enfants palestiniens ont fait l'expérience de ce que vivent les quatre enfants Hawash.

Le Docteur Aish Samour, directeur de l'Hôpital Psychiatrique de Gaza, a déclaré que 30% des enfants palestiniens de moins de 10 ans souffraient d'énurésie à cause de frayeurs profondément enracinées et il mentionne d'autres tics nerveux tels les ongles rongés, les cauchemars, des douleurs physiques aux causes inconnues, les pleurs et l'introversion.

Il explique : "Un enfant exposé à une telle violence devient violent dans ses relations avec ses collèges ou ses frères et sœurs. Cet état diminue son niveau éducatif et affaiblit sa capacité à se concentrer". Il souligne que les enfants palestiniens qui ont traversé ces terribles expériences pendant les invasions et les bombardements obéissent moins à leurs parents et à leurs familles.

Samour a établi que depuis le début de cette année, le pourcentage d'enfants qui viennent fréquemment à l'hôpital a augmenté. L'hôpital reçoit actuellement 33 enfants par mois, ce qui représente une augmentation de 30% par rapport à l'année dernière.

Samour souligne que 47% des enfants ont subi de chocs psychologiques sans que leurs familles s'en rendent compte. "Les enfants de Gaza ne mènent pas des vies normales. Ils subissent des souffrances psychologiques dues aux actions de l'occupation israélienne, qui ont des impacts négatifs sur leurs vies, leur santé psychologique et leur capacité d'adaptation à la vie", dit-il.

Selon une étude conduite par le Programme de Santé Mentale Communautaire de Gaza, chaque enfant palestinien a été exposé à plus de neuf événements traumatisants. L'étude ajoute que 95,6% des enfants ont vu des blessés ou des morts, et 95% ont été affectés par les bruits des explosions.

L'étude indique de plus que tous les enfants ont été exposés à des chocs psychologiques, 60% des enfants ont expérimenté un choc psychologique modéré, 6,7% un choc psychologique mineur, alors 33,3% ont expérimenté un choc psychologique majeur.

L'étude indique que 15,6% souffrent de troubles post-traumatiques mineurs, 62,2% de troubles post-traumatiques modérés, alors que pour 20%, les troubles sont sévères.

Le Docteur Eyad Al-Sarraj, directeur du Programme de Santé Mentale Communautaire de Gaza, a constaté que les enfants palestiniens ont perdu le sens de la sécurité et du bonheur. Selon une étude conduite par ce programme, 45% des enfants disent qu'ils ont vu les soldats israéliens battre et insulter leurs parents, devant eux.
"Le fait que les enfants palestiniens se réfugient dans des organisations palestiniennes reflètent leur désir d'acquérir une identité nouvelle et forte qui pourra les protéger", ajoute Al-Sarraj.

Al-Sarraj a souligné que l'état chronique de malnutrition qui affecte leurs capacités intellectuelles complique encore la situation. Il ajoute que l'accumulation de répression et de violence affecte les capacités mentales et créatives des enfants palestiniens et les pousse à avoir recours à des actes extrêmes qui sont le reflet de la douleur et de la frustration qu'ils ressentent.

Al-Sarraj a indiqué qu'environ 36% des garçons entre 8 et 12 ans, et 17% des filles, souhaitent mourir dans des opérations martyres contre l'armée israélienne.

Selon une autre étude palestinienne, 15% des enfants de la Bande de Gaza ont subi, de l'armée israélienne, une perte dans leur famille, 9% ont un membre de leur famille qui souffre d'un handicap après avoir subi les tirs des forces de l'occupation, 21% ont un membre de leur famille en exil et 42% ont des membres de la famille détenus politiques.

Samih Abu-Zakieh, pédiatre et directeur du Centre d'Art des enfants palestiniens, souligne un autre danger qui menace tous les enfants, même s'ils ne sont pas directement exposés aux opérations israéliennes, à savoir les scènes douloureuses dont les enfants sont témoins via les différents moyens médiatiques, en particulier les chaînes satellitaires, qui ajoutent à la pression psychologique que les enfants subissent.
http://www.youtube.com/user/PCAC2008
Il estime que permettre aux enfants de regarder ces scènes est "une violation des droits des enfants". Abu Zakieh a mis en garde contre ces impacts très négatifs qui ne sont pas pris en compte, et dont les conséquences sont désastreuses. Il suggère la mise en œuvre de programmes destinés à alléger la pression que les enfants ont subie pendant les récents événements sanglants.

Pourtant la souffrance des enfants palestiniens ne s'arrête pas au niveau psychologique ; des douzaines d'enfants ont été tués pendant le premier quadrimestre de cette année. Selon un rapport du Département des relations nationales et internationales de l'Organisation de Libération de la Palestine (OLP), le nombre de Palestiniens tués par les opérations militaires israéliennes à l'intérieur des Territoires Palestiniens depuis le début de l'année est estimé à 274, dont 50 enfants (deux étaient des nouveaux-nés de 20 jours et 7 mois), et 18 femmes.

Selon les données du Bureau Central Palestinien des Statistiques, 50% de la population de Cisjordanie et de la Bande de Gaza a moins de 16 ans. Cela signifie que près de 2 millions d'enfants ont souffert, d'un point de vue psychologique, de la répression israélienne.

Le Docteur Fadl Abu Haien, professeur de psychologie à l'Université Al-Aqsa à Gaza, pense que les enfants palestiniens, en conséquence de la pression psychologique qu'ils endurent, ont recours à différents moyens pour s'adapter à la dure réalité, indiquant qu'un résultat commun est le calme en réaction à la tension, l'anxiété, la peur, l'isolement, l'introversion, qu'ils se mettent en retrait et prennent rarement part aux activités sociales et familiales.

Dans sa recherche scientifique, Abu Haien conclut que les enfants palestiniens ont recours, en réaction à la pression, à des comportements inappropriés par rapport à leur âge. Il ajoute que dans certains cas, la peur des opérations israéliennes et les problèmes psychologiques sont tels que leur conscience d'enfant est perturbée et se traduit par des problèmes de somnambulisme et de santé.


Le Docteur Tayseer Diyab, chercheur éminent dans le domaine de la santé mentale, a conduit, avec une équipe de psychiatres, une étude approfondie sur l'impact de la violence et le blocus israéliens sur les enfants palestiniens de Gaza. Diyab a déterminé qu'il y avait une augmentation substantielle de la violence parmi les enfants, dans et hors de l'école, des formations de gangs, des bagarres à coup de chaînes et de bâtons et l'utilisation d'un langage grossier.

Les résultats indiquent que les enfants deviennent plus insensibles et qu'ils perdent la notion du danger, comme par exemple lorsqu'ils se rassemblent dans les endroits où des bombardements ont eu lieu et qu'ils ramassent les restes des missiles.

Le Docteur Diyab raconte l'histoire d'un des enfants qu'il suit et qui lui a demandé : "Est-ce qu'il y a de l'électricité au ciel ?". Il a ajouté : "J'ai peur quand il n'y a pas d'électricité".

Les psychiatres qui ont pris part à l'étude ont demandé à 26 enfants d'imaginer le meilleur endroit qui soit, et les résultats ont montré qu'aucun d'entre eux ne pouvait penser à nulle part, tellement leur imagination est enfermée dans des lieux rattachés à la tristesse et à la souffrance, comme les cimetières ou les prisons.

De même pour l'exercice de dessin, on a demandé aux enfants d'illustrer une image de leurs maisons dans leur quartier, et la plupart d'entre eux ont dessiné une petite maison, ce qui dépeint la tristesse qui les submerge.


De plus, il faut aussi prendre en compte la souffrance psychologique des 300 enfants détenus dans les prisons israéliennes. Le Docteur Fouad Al-Khuffash, directeur du Centre Ahrar pour les études sur les prisonniers, dit : "Les services secrets israéliens placent chaque enfant palestinien détenu en isolement pendant une semaine, où une enquête est mené sur son implication dans les jets de pierre", ajoute-t-il. Il dit que les enquêteurs menacent les enfants de viol, et ils les accablent d'insultes.

Lors d'une déclaration à Asharq Al-Awsat, il ajoute : "Insulter un enfant tous les jours, le menacer d'arrêter son frère ou utiliser d'autres menaces immorales détruit l'âme et est un motif de suicide". Il souligne que les services secrets israéliens continuent d'inventer de nouvelles méthodes pour obliger les enfants emprisonnés à devenir des espions pour détruire le tissu social palestinien.

Al-Khuffash ajoute que le Shabak israélien dépend des enfants détenus pour l'implantation du plus grand nombre possible d'espions au sein du peuple palestinien. Le Shabak propose à tous les enfants détenus de rejoindre ses services, et les frappe et les menace de viol pour les convaincre de prendre le chemin de la trahison.

Source : Asharq alawsat
Traduction : MR pour ISM

The Children of Gaza

The Children of Gaza

09/04/2008
By Saleh al Naeimi



Gaza, Asharq Al-Awsat- 10 year old Khamis Wafi has good reason to be happy; it is the first time he has not jumped at the sound of a balloon bursting. This “achievement” was the result of treatment supervised by Ali Nasman, a psychiatrist who is caring for dozens of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, specifically in the northern regions, for the shocks that they have suffered as a result of the sounds of explosions launched during Israeli operations that targeted the Gaza Strip, in particular during Operation Hot Winter that began at the end of February.

The treatment process is based on the idea of accustoming children to the sounds of explosions in order to reduce their psychological effect. There have been positive results amongst some children whereas others are terribly frightened when they hear a balloon bursting.

Investing in the treatment of children for psychological shocks that they have suffered as a result of shelling operations is truly justified since the condition is so common. Ibrahim Hawash, 42 years old, frequently calls his wife during his nightshift at work to make sure that she follows the prescribed treatment for their children’s involuntary urination condition. The family doctor confirmed that the four children, who are in primary school, have lost the ability to control their bladders as a result of the shock they suffered when Israeli army jets bombed a house close to their home in Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip during the Hot Winter military campaign.

The four children still remember this terrifying night when they suddenly woke up to the deafening sound of an explosion and found that glass from their windows had landed on their beds. Ibrahim, who works at a Palestinian security agency, said that his children refuse to sleep alone and insist on sleeping in the same bedroom as their parents out of fear. He added that it took a lot of effort to persuade two of his children to go back to school as they are afraid of Israeli bombing operations taking place on their way to school or whilst at school. Thousands of Palestinian children have experienced what Hawash’s four children are going through.

Dr. Aish Samour, director of the Psychiatric Hospital in Gaza, stated that 30% of Palestinian children under 10 years of age suffer from involuntary urination due to deep-seated fear and mentions other nervous habits such as nail-biting, having nightmares, physical pains of unknown cause, crying and introversion.

Dr Samour explained that “A child exposed to this much violence becomes violent in his interaction with colleagues and siblings. This condition lowers his educational level and weakens his ability to concentrate.” He pointed out that Palestinian children who go through shocking experiences during invasions and bombings become less obedient to their parents and families.

Samour stated that since the beginning of this year, the percentage of children who frequently visit the hospital has increased. The hospital currently receives 33 children a month that is a 30% increase over the previous year. Samour highlighted that 47% of children have suffered psychological shocks without their families realizing it. “The children of Gaza are not children who lead normal lives. They endure difficult psychological suffering as a result of the Israeli occupation’s actions, which has a negative impact on their lives, their psychological health and their ability to adapt to life,” he said.

According to a study conducted by the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, every Palestinian child has been exposed to over nine shocking events. The study added that 95.6% of children have seen images of the wounded and dead, and 95% have been affected by the sounds of explosions. The study further indicated that all children have been exposed to some kind of psychological shock whereby 60% of children have experienced moderate psychological shock, 6.7% have experienced minor psychological shock, while 33.3% have experienced major psychological shock. The study indicated that 15.6% suffer from minor post-traumatic disorder, 62.2% suffer moderately, while 20% suffer severely.

Dr. Eyad Al Sarraj, director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, stated that Palestinian children have lost the sense of security and the sense of happiness. According to a study conducted by the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, 45% of children said that they had watched Israeli soldiers beat and insult their fathers in front of them. “The fact that Palestinian children take refuge in Palestinian organizations reflects their desire to gain a new strong identity that can protect them,” Al Sarraj added.

Al Sarraj pointed out that matters are further complicated by the fact that Palestinian children are suffering from a chronic state of malnutrition that affects their intellect. He added that the accumulation of repression and violence affects the mental and creative abilities of Palestinian children and pushes them to resort to acts of extremism that reflect the pain and frustration that they feel. Al Sarraj indicated that approximately 36% of boys aged between eight and 12, and 17% of girls, hope to die in martyrdom operations against the Israeli army.

According to another Palestinian study, 15% of children in the Gaza Strip have suffered a loss in the family at the hands of the Israeli army, 9% have one family member who suffers from a disability after having been shot by the occupation forces, 21% have a family member in exile and 42% have family members who are political detainees.

Samih Abu Zakieh, a children’s specialist and the director of (PCAC)a center concerned with Palestinian children’s art, highlighted another danger that threatens all children even if they are not exposed directly to Israeli operations, namely, the painful scenes witnessed by children via the different forms of media especially satellite channels, which add to the psychological pressure that children are experiencing. He believes that allowing children to watch these scenes is a “violation of children’s rights”. Abu Zakya warned against such negative impacts going untreated, the consequences of which can be disastrous. At the same time, he called upon implementing programs that aim to alleviate the pressure that children have experienced during the recent bloody events.

Yet the suffering of Palestinian children does not stop at the psychological level; dozens of children have been killed during the first quarter of this year. According to a report by the department of national and international relations in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), the number of Palestinians killed as a result of Israeli military operations within the Palestinian Territories since the beginning of this year is estimated at 274, including 50 children, two of whom were newborns (20 days old and seven months old) and 18 women. According to data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 50% of the population of the West Bank and Gaza Strip are under 16 years of age. This means that nearly two million children have psychologically suffered as a result of Israeli repression.

Dr. Fadl Abu Haien, a psychology professor at Al Aqsa University in Gaza, believes that Palestinian children, as a result of the psychological pressure that they endure, resort to different ways to adapt to this harsh reality, indicating that one common result is quietness in reaction to tension, anxiety, fear, isolation, introversion and that they withdraw and seldom take part in social and family activities.

As part of his scientific research, Abu Haien concluded that Palestinian children resort to behavior that is inappropriate to their age as a result of pressure. He added that in some cases, as a result of fear of Israeli operations and difficult psychological problems, the child’s consciousness is disrupted and can appear in the form of sleepwalking and health-related problems.

Dr. Tayseer Diyab, a prominent researcher in the field of mental health, conducted an in-depth study with a team of psychiatrists on the impact of Israeli violence and blockade on Palestinian children in Gaza. Diyab found that there was a substantial increase in violence amongst children, in and outside of school, by forming gangs and fighting using chains and sticks and using abusive language. The results indicated that children had become more insensitive and that they lacked a sense of danger as, for example, they would gather around places where shelling had occurred and would pick up remains of rockets.

Dr. Diyab recounted a story of one of the children under observation who asked him, “Does heaven have electricity?” He added, “I get scared when there is no electricity.”

The psychiatrists who took part in the study asked 26 pupils to imagine the best place that they could and the results showed that none of the children could think of anywhere since their imaginations were confined to places related to sadness and suffering such as cemeteries or prisons. As for the drawing exercise, children were asked to illustrate an image of the homes in their district and most of them drew one small house and this portrays the sadness that overwhelms them.

Furthermore, the psychological suffering of 300 children detained in Israeli prisons must also be taken into consideration. Dr. Fouad Al Khuffash, the Director of the Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies said, “The Israeli intelligence agency places every detained Palestinian child in a cell alone for a week where an investigation is carried out regarding his involvement in stone throwing,” he added. He said that investigators threatened children with rape and would hurl abusive language at them.

In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added, “Reprimanding a child everyday, threatening to arrest his brother or using other immoral threats destroys one’s soul and is a motive to commit suicide.” He pointed out that the Israeli intelligence agencies are continuing to create new methods to force detained children to become spies in order to destroy the Palestinian social fabric. Al Khuffash added that the [Israeli] Shabak security service depends on detained children in order to plant the biggest number of spies amongst Palestinian people. All detained children are invited to join Shabak and they are beaten and threatened with rape to convince them to go down the road of treason.

peace for children

peace for children
palestinian musical artistic group of children ,its purpose to reenter the spirit of justice , freedom and dignity for all the children besides working for peace to palestinian children.

This group is related to PCAC, and it was established in 2000. It includes a group of girls and a group of boys which work to put a smile upon the children faces.
The children felt that its very important to establish this group especially after the great suffering they go through in Palestine, the group aims at spreading awareness ,friendship ,dignity, freedom, equality, hope and respect among children through art.
Art is the main instrument used in our activities. Our deep faith in peace begins with peace for children and ensures the immediate need for humanity to all the children in order to live a peaceful and free life.
The international convention for the right of the children ensures a peaceful and secure life to all children…..
Al salaam children group says loudly…….
Let us live peacefully
Let us live freely
Let us live with dignity
International and local participation of activities
2000 : the group participated in the international festival in north Norway (in harstad city) and appreciated by presents.
2001-2003: Participated in many shows in PCAC ,schools and in establishments.
2003: participated in the ceremony festival shows.
2004 the group prepares to take part in different national and international. Festivals, shows ,besides performing many activities during the ceremony of the 10th anniversary of PCAC.
more information:
http://www.pcac.net

Palestinian Children’s Art Centre PCAC
Towards A Creative Palestinian Child
The P.C.A.C is a non-profit non-governmental institution that was established in 1994. It directs its activities and programs towards the development of the Palestinian child’s intellectuality. In addition, it reinforces the positive role of the Palestinian child in the process of building and progressing the Palestinian society.
History
The bloody and violent actions over the past decades in Palestine have affected the Palestinian children; their behaviour, and their natural life. After the February 1994 massacre at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron -- which was committed by a Jewish settler and led to the killing of 36 Palestinians -- the children of Hebron were shocked and their behaviour has been dramatically changed.
Objectives
Help children regain their natural life, psychological wellness, and explore the creative and talented children in all fields in order to achieve the P.C.A.C slogan “Towards A Creative Palestinian Child”.
Reinforce the Palestinian culture among children to assist in their progress on the psychological, social, and human aspects, in order to strengthen their role in building the future of the Palestinian society.

Activities
Children educational programmes
Yearly children’s meeting “Amal Alghad" Hope of Tomorrow: Children between 6-8 years Art and music workshops
Library
Public Education
Lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops, and exhibits on various child-related issues.
Research on children’s rights violations and drafting of updates and releases
Networking with Arab or international organisations
Future Projects
Enlarging the library of the centre that includes different books and stories for children.
Improving the music department to include more music tools. In addition, there is a plan to renew the available music tools.
Connecting the centre with the Internet.
Exchange programs of children with other countries.

Data of Organisation
Contac Person : Samih Abu zakieh
Director
Mobile:0599884858
Address : P.O.Box 616 – Hebrone, PALESTINE
Tel. : 00972-2-2224813
pcac2006@yahoo.ca
http://www.pcac.net
http://www.youtube.com/pcac2008

Aggressioni israeliane: rapporto del PCAC sugli effetti psicologici nei bambini palestinesi.

Aggressioni israeliane: rapporto del PCAC sugli effetti psicologici nei bambini palestinesi.
12-03-2008
Da IMEMC
Di Saed Bannoura, 6 marzo.

Il Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) ha pubblicato un rapporto sugli effetti dei continui attacchi israeliani, specialmente le ultime offensive lanciate contro la Striscia di Gaza, che hanno provocato 131 morti e 350 feriti, sulla situazione psicologica dei bambini.
Il rapporto ha mostrato che l’evidente ansietà e il terrore sono stati osservati sui bambini durante le invasioni militari israeliane, le sparatorie e i bombardamenti.
Alcuni chiari indizi di questi effetti sono evidenti nei disegni dei bambini poiché tutti loro ritraggono scene di violenza, carri armati, soldati, aerei da guerra e bulldozer che sradicano alberi, oltre a disegni che raffigurano funerali o persone uccise dall’esercito.
Il Centro spiega che i bambini non disegnano più scene che rappresentano la natura o che esprimono felicità, e ha aggiunto che l’arte è uno dei mezzi più efficaci che aiutano i bambini a comunicare ciٍ che hanno dentro di sé.
Samih Abu Zakieh, direttore del PCAC, specialista in Sviluppo del Bambino e attivista per la difesa dei diritti dell'Infanzia, ha dichiarato che “le scene dolorose che i bambini vedono alla tv o gli eventi di cui sono testimoni, li colpiscono negativamente”, e ha aggiunto che questi avvenimenti sono una diretta violazione dei diritti dell'infanzia.
Ha sottolineato inoltre che il tema della protezione dei bambini è una questione essenziale al fine di permettere loro di crescere in un ambiente sano e allo stesso tempo di provvedere ai loro bisogni.

Abu Zakieh ha detto che si rendono necessari una serie di programmi per educare i bambini e garantire loro un ambiente lontano da ansie e paure in modo da permettere loro di mantenere una vita normale.Abu Zakieh ha dichiarato, inoltre, che devono essere realizzati diversi programmi sanitari, educativi, medici e sociali in modo da alleggerire la pressione a cui i minori sono soggetti.
© Copyright Agenzia Stampa Infopal.itSede legale dell'Associazione Infopal e dell'Agenzia Stampa Infopal.itvia Bolzaneto 19/2 - 16162 Genova E-mail: http://ca.f509.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=redazione@infopal.it

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children

http://www.youtube.com/user/PCAC2008

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children
Thursday March 06, 2008 21:19 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC
The Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) published a report on the effects on the ongoing Israeli attacks, especially the latest offensive against the Gaza Strip, on the physiological situation of the children.

The report revealed that clear anxiety and fear was noticed on the children as the face Israeli military invasions, shooting and shelling.
Some of the clear indications of these effects were apparent in the drawings of the children as they all drew scenes of violence, tanks, soldiers, war jets, and bulldozers uprooting trees in addition to drawings representing funerals of residents killed by the army.
The center stated that the children are no longer drawing scenes from nature or scenes that express happiness, and added that art is one of the effective ways that helps the children to express what they face.
Sameeh Abu Zakia, head of the center, a specialist in Child development and an activist defending the rights of children, stated that the “painful scenes that the children see on TV or the events that they witness are negatively affecting them”, and added that these incidents are a direct violation to the rights of the children.
He added that the issue of protecting the children is an essential issue in order to enable them grow in a healthy environment while providing them with their needs in order to maintain a healthy life.
Abu Zakia said that a series of programs is needed to nurture the children and provide them with the needed environment far away from anxiety and fear in order to allow them to maintain a normal life.
Abu Zakia also stated that several health, educational, physiological and social programs should be implemented in order to relief the pressure that the children are subjected to.
palestine human rights news report saed at imemc dot org
Related Link(s): http://www.pcac.net/

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children*

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children* <">http://www.imemc.org/article/53123.html> Saed Bannoura, International Middle East Media Center 2/28/2008 The Palestinian Child Arts Center issued an urgent press release appealing international human rights groups and organizations specialized in the rights of children to intervene and protect the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip as they face a real humanitarian disaster. The Center called for immediate protection for the residents in the Gaza Strip, especially the children "as they are being killed and injured while all want they want is to live as they love life and want to live as any child in this world does". The statement of the center came after the Israeli army killed 27 residents, including several children, in less than 48 hours. On Thursday afternoon four Palestinian children were killed and one was critically injured when Israeli jet fighters shot several missiles at civilians in Jabalia town, located in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon. -- See also: Palestinian Child Arts Center <">http://www.pcac.net/Main.htm> and Palestinian Child Arts Center, old site <">http://www.pcac.net/old/>

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children
Written by IMEMC (Partenaire IM-L)
Friday, 29 February 2008
Saed Bannoura

The Palestinian Child Arts Center issued an urgent press release appealing international human rights groups and organizations specialized in the rights of children to intervene and protect the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip as they face a real humanitarian disaster.

The Center stated that what is happening in Gaza is a grave violation to the rights of the children and to all Children Rights Conventions. The Center called for immediate protection for the residents in the Gaza Strip, especially the children “as they are being killed and injured while all want they want is to live as they love life and want to live as any child in this world does”.

The statement of the center came after the Israeli army killed 27 residents, including several children, in less than 48 hours. On Thursday afternoon four Palestinian children were killed and one was critically injured when Israeli jet fighters shot several missiles at civilians in Jabalia town, located in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon. Medical sources identified the four as, Mohamed Hamudah, 7, Ali Dardonah, 8, Omer Dardonah, 14, and

please act now to prevent more palestinian children from dying or getting injured‏‏

Dear Friends
We Write to you on behalf of palestinian children living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Things are happening around us . Events are happening around us too fast . Relatives and friends are falling everyday . sometimes we do not realize what is going on . but what we know is that nothing is like before . We are too afraid to go school and even if we go we have to come back home early . which is certainly going to effect the educational process . We are afraid from a lot of things .Our friends suffer from lack of food and medical care .
And there are others who have no social life , which is the right of any child to have .
So many questions come to the mind of every child homeland .Why is this happening to us What did we do wrong? Is it because our people are defending themselves ?Unfortunately we ask ourselves but no answers come to mind .
We are like children in other countries . We want to study and play and plan for our future But the Israeli occupation and the daily attacks are killing any hopes we have for the future . We do not want to live like this.
We ask the international community to offer protection for us and for our people we want a healthy normal childhood we hope that is not too much to ask .
Friends , please act now to prevent more palestinian children from dying or getting injured

Sincerely
Palestinian children living in the occupied territories
Contact Information: =============================================== Palestinian Child Arts Center-PCAC-
HEBRON-P.O.BOX.616 PALESTINE
http://www.pcac.net
Tel 00972-2-2224813
Fax 00972-2-2220855
DIRECTOR-00972-2-2217393
E-MAIL: pcac@hotmail.com
pcac2000@hotmail.com
pcac2006@yahoo.ca

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children

PCAC published a report on the psychological effects on Palestinian children
Thursday March 06, 2008 21:19 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC
The Palestinian Child Arts Center (PCAC) published a report on the effects on the ongoing Israeli attacks, especially the latest offensive against the Gaza Strip, on the physiological situation of the children.
The report revealed that clear anxiety and fear was noticed on the children as the face Israeli military invasions, shooting and shelling.
Some of the clear indications of these effects were apparent in the drawings of the children as they all drew scenes of violence, tanks, soldiers, war jets, and bulldozers uprooting trees in addition to drawings representing funerals of residents killed by the army.
The center stated that the children are no longer drawing scenes from nature or scenes that express happiness, and added that art is one of the effective ways that helps the children to express what they face.
Sameeh Abu Zakia, head of the center, a specialist in Child development and an activist defending the rights of children, stated that the “painful scenes that the children see on TV or the events that they witness are negatively affecting them”, and added that these incidents are a direct violation to the rights of the children.
He added that the issue of protecting the children is an essential issue in order to enable them grow in a healthy environment while providing them with their needs in order to maintain a healthy life.
Abu Zakia said that a series of programs is needed to nurture the children and provide them with the needed environment far away from anxiety and fear in order to allow them to maintain a normal life.
Abu Zakia also stated that several health, educational, physiological and social programs should be implemented in order to relief the pressure that the children are subjected to.
palestine human rights news report saed at imemc dot org
Related Link(s): http://www.pcac.net

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children

Palestinian Child Arts Center appeals protection for Gaza children
Thursday February 28, 2008 23:43 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC
The Palestinian Child Arts Center issued an urgent press release appealing international human rights groups and organizations specialized in the rights of children to intervene and protect the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip as they face a real humanitarian disaster.
The Center stated that what is happening in Gaza is a grave violation to the rights of the children and to all Children Rights Conventions.
The Center called for immediate protection for the residents in the Gaza Strip, especially the children “as they are being killed and injured while all want they want is to live as they love life and want to live as any child in this world does”.
The statement of the center came after the Israeli army killed 27 residents, including several children, in less than 48 hours. On Thursday afternoon four Palestinian children were killed and one was critically injured when Israeli jet fighters shot several missiles at civilians in Jabalia town, located in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon. Medical sources identified the four as, Mohamed Hamudah, 7, Ali Dardonah, 8, Omer Dardonah, 14, and his brother Deib, 11.
palestine israeli attacks news report saed at imemc dot org

One Hundred Ways for Peace from Palestine

One Hundred Ways for Peace from PalestineBy Samih Abu ZakiehLes éditions de la Pleine Lune, Quebec, Canada, 2007, 208 pages, $20The dove of peace - a worldwide symbol first made famous by Pablo Picasso - has passed into the capable hands of Samih Abu Zakieh, an artist and teacher who keeps hope alive in hell. Director of the Palestinian Child Arts Centre in Hebron for 15 years, Abu Zakieh is one of the rare community movers who meets the stringent standard for pacifism set out by Mahatma Gandhi: “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.”That is a tough sell on the ground in occupied Palestine, where Abu Zakieh was born and grew up, whipsawed by the deafening clamour of tanks and bulldozers which enclosed the street where he lived under curfew. He imploded and flew inside out on the wings of a dove, which he began drawing. Followed by another, and others, sometimes twos and threes. Doves swirling tapestries of local and universal reference. And for the children he worked with, the doves also became engines of empowerment.Now a tri-lingual book brings together Abu Zakieh’s drawings and his words: De Palestine, cent chemins pour la paix / One Hundred Ways for Peace from Palestine, published in Canada by Les éditions de la Pleine Lune. His commentary - presented in Arabic, French and English - grows out of long-time research into children’s reactions to war. Abu Zakieh is the author of numerous articles on the artistic expression of children in times of war. He regularly gives lectures on art, education and the rights of Palestinian children, at international conferences in Turkey, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Iraq, the United States, Jordan and Egypt.The tone is low key, whether matter-of-factly itemizing brutality under the occupation, or affirming the priority of self-restraint: “Just to control yourself when encountering violence in these most difficult conditions is a victory, but to spread a smile across the lips of the children who are our future-builders is an even greater victory.” Its engaging images and bracing discourse make this book a gem for any bookshelf, and an inspiring gift to give, and a breath of fresh air towards a self-fulfilling prophecy.(Courtesy of the publisher)

"Children in Palestine, dream of Peace& Freedom"

"Children in Palestine, dream of Peace& Freedom"

When media talk about Palestine and the dramatically situation who lives the country always forget children, the daily life, their daily life under occupation… They are an ordinary kids, with ordinary dreams who just wants to live their childhood in a peaceful environment.
But, even in the worst situation, you'll find someone trying to draw a smile on the children's faces. Samih Abu Zakieh, a Palestinian artist, is a good example of this. His heart is full of love ready to help children, to support them. This passion, the same he uses for his paintings, helps children of Hebron to develop themselves in such a dramatic situation.

In 1994, after the Massacre of the Abraham Mosque in Hebron where 36 inhabitants were killed by a settler, Samih, with some of his colleagues, decided to do an artistic workshop. With this workshop they pretended to let children draw and play to relief the effect of the violent shock they had after the brutal massacre.
He would never imagine the effect of this tragedy in the children before see their drawings, which were just in two colors, red and black. The use of these colors was a clear sign of the massacre's effect on children. The black color expresses the sadness while red expresses the blood which filled the streets of that area, especially inside the great Islamic mosque.

From the suffering to the creativity

After this impacting experience Samih and his colleagues Fayez, Ayda, Diyab, Na'ila, Samia and many others were ready for the next step, establish a organization for children , where Art and Children were the priorities, trying to relief the impact . There, they could also play, dance, sing, smile, and learn. This was the first purpose of the PCAC, Palestinian Child Arts Centre.
Step by step, from the simple and humble work, PCAC has developed to an organization which organized their work to develop the children's skills and capabilities. Ceremonies, festivals, art workshops, art exhibitions are a good example of this change.
Child's Rights has a special importance in this center, during over past years they try to let know children and society everything about this convention, always through arts.





Future of PCAC

Its well knows this center all over Palestine but not only here has been recognized the work of Palestinian Child Arts Center. The center has achieved compliments from all over the world. As Samih says" we are poor, we don't have the money, but we have the thoughts and creativity ".

When they started working for the Arts Olympiad 2007, they faced many problems. The most important and struggle one was/is the economic crisis who is living the country and the impossibility to leave or move inside the country. "We are not able to leave the city whenever we want, but in fact we live as we're inside a cage. They open the doors for us whenever they desire". That situation doesn't help to the appropriate develop of the center programs and desires.
They can't and they don't forget the main aim of this center, children, even the situation seems impossible. The risk of murder, siege, eviction or home demolishing is there, and those children can just think about how to survive, not about fun activities.
The drawings of the Olympiad are full of suffering. When they were asked about the topic, Art & Sport, and about the relation of those topics with children, it was amazing their answers." Palestinian sport is in danger, we as children are not able even to play. Look at our drawings to see the tragedy we live in".

But there is a little ray of hope, even the political/economical situation is getting worst in the last days, PCAC and Samih will continue the work that started 12 years ago. Never give up, children are the future of Palestine, the political actors of tomorrow, and not just PCAC, all the society must works for them.