The ongoing occupation of Palestine has traumatized children & caused psychological damage. Physical activity improves mental and 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 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. Children show signs of severe psychological distress including bed-wetting, nightmares, aggression, and difficulty eating, sleeping or speaking.

Solution

This project will provide cycling and sports activities for children in Gaza and create safe cycling tracks for children and youth in at-risk communities in the West Bank. 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. We have built safe areas for children in play and cycle and piloted sports and psychosocial activities for children in Gaza. Together we can do more!

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.