Summary

75 years of occupation & displacement has traumatized Palestinian refugee children. Physical activity improves mental physical health and provides children living under occupation a taste of childhood. The Big Ride for Palestine is teaming up with MECA to raise funds to give Palestinian children in refugee camps opportunities to cycle and play. Ride with us for Freedom, Justice & Equality for the Palestinians! Sign up for the Big Ride at www.thebigride4palestine.com and support our fundraiser.

Challenge

Palestinian children are growing up under Israeli occupation with few opportunities to play and cycle. In Gaza, Israeli military attacks have left tens of thousands traumatized. In the West Bank, frequent night raids, home demolitions, and arrests threaten the safety and wellbeing of children and settlements cut communities off from open spaces. The situation in overcrowded refugee camps is even more dire.

Solution

This project will provide cycling and sports activities for Palestinian children living in refugee camps. After their families were displaced 75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of children are growing up in crowded refugee camps with no space spaces to play. We will be providing children, especially girls, opportunities to learn how to cycle and play other sports which will improve both their mental and physical health.

Long-Term Impact

Studies show that physical activity reduces mental health problems. This project will contribute to psychosocial efforts to help Palestinian children to heal and make them more resilient against the risks of severe anxiety, depression, aggression and withdrawal. The project is particularly vital for girls who rarely have the chance to learn and practice sports due to social restrictions that we will challenge in our work.