This year, I will be cycling 240 kms in Norway in support of two wonderful organizations; Cycling4Gaza and PACES. 

PACES was founded nine years ago for the almost exclusive aim of developing and funding much-needed sports programs for Palestinian children: for boys who would otherwise be on the streets with nothing to do and therefore exposed to potential extremism, violence and radicalization, and for girls who would be stuck at home feeling marginalized and not empowered. Their initial sets of programs were for 400 children at 6 locations around the Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ramallah areas. The aim was to add 200-300 children per year but thanks to the generous support of many friends, and institutions, they will have over 6,000 children in their 2016 program cycle, which Cycling4Gaza is supporting. 

Though PACES coach the children football, basketball and volleyball as a means of getting them into their programs, PACES emphasize the importance of education covering topics such as personal hygiene, work-ethic, and community service. The PACES model provides for regular and ongoing coaching for the children in groups of 20-25 at least twice a week. Incredibly, 50% of the children in the programs are girls.

In September of 2010 two health programs were launched:

• A vision-screening and treatment project with a hospital in Jerusalem through which the eyes of all the children in Palestine were tested and treated. In addition, this program has a general hygiene component through which children are taught many aspects of personal health to which they generally do not have any access.
• An intense anti-smoking and anti-drug campaign that exposes the children to the perils and dangers of drugs and smoking that are very common and easily purchased in Palestine.

Last year PACES enhanced their health and safety programs by expanding the personal hygiene aspect of the awareness campaign and now have a program that certifies all the coaches in up-to-date first aid techniques.

As for vocational training, PACES have a program that encourages their “graduates” to return as trainee coaches. They provide them with training and encourage them to be mentors and leaders to the younger boys and girls in the core program. Furthermore, PACES take teams to Europe to participate in tournaments and are proud of the incredible achievements and performance of the children. They recruit their children whose attendance record and behavior stand out. PACES
stress the importance of conveying a good image about Palestine through sportsmanship and exemplary behavior.

PACES are also happy to announce that in 2016 the program cycle will create essential employment for over 600 coaches in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. These jobs are for young men and women who would otherwise have very few opportunities of work.

The funds raised through Cycling4Gaza will be used to support 700 children and their coaches in Gaza. 

• Support 28 female and male coaches
• Support field staff members and programs communication
• Provide uniforms and equipment for 700 children and their coaches; which are bought locally to support the local economy
• Civic and social activities that includes health, hygiene, environmental and educational awareness sessions and fun activities for the children
• Coaches capacity building workshops, parents public meetings and other activities with the sports centers and clubs
• Support one team of boys/girls from PACES children in Gaza to participate in the 2016 Norway Cup
•  PACES sports program in West Bank and the refugee camps in Lebanon.