Whyld Wanderer

An overwhelming amount of people have evacuated from Gaza to Cairo since October 2023 with more than half of them being children. Exposure to occupation, war and uncertainty can cause a state of shock but children in conflict show remarkable resilience and can recover with appropriate assistance such as mental health support, child friendly spaces where they can play, and education programs. El3eza strives to be a sanctuary for these children to express their emotions, process their trauma, discover themselves, and feel empowered to follow their dreams and passions with the support of their community.&nbsp; The word el3eza is difficult to translate, however, you could compare it to a mixture of pride, dignity and/or resilience but it's not just a word... its something you feel. El3eza Centre is a place that cultivates this feeling within everyone that visits - the children never stop saying "!غزة العزة".(Gaza El3eza!) <img src="https://giveth.mypinata.cloud/ipfs/QmTUFoRwB6C6K878d1rC7zSgFYwdFg1A47jLkJWdz9Vefs"> El3eza offers the youth not only the safe space that they need to process their trauma with others who can relate but also the resources and support to define who they are and what lies ahead for them on the horizon of their currently undetermined future. This happens through creative activities as well as opportunities for expression, discovery, and empowerment. <h1>In the first 4 months</h1>The doors opened at El3eza Centre on July 15th 2024. Since then there has been an overwhelming sense of community established through numerous workshops, activities, and events. At least 1600 children have now passed through the doors. <h2>Football Program</h2>What started as a fun weekly game with 10-15 kids has developed into a full program consisting of 10 games per week involving more than 230 children each week. There has even been a Champion's League established and one of the players is in the process of being signed to Al Nasr Cairo Club professional team! <h2>Threads of Hope Program</h2>Tatreez, meaning ‘embroidery’ in Arabic, is used to refer to the traditional style of embroidery practiced in Palestine. In 2021, this art was recognized by&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UNESCO</a>&nbsp;as an important&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intangible_cultural_heritage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">intangible cultural heritage</a>. The 'Threads of Hope' program hosted at El3eza aims to give Palestinian women in Cairo the opportunity to come together to learn this tradition while offering a safe space to relate, process their experiences, share their stories and form meaningful connections. As the women progress, they are creating pieces that are sold to support their collective efforts and give them an opportunity to generate income to support their families. So far, 40 women have completed this training series and have created beautiful pieces. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/threadofhope88?igsh=MTVkNHM2Y2JuNjF0NA%3D%3D&amp;utm_source=qr" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check out their work here!</a> <h2>Dabke &amp; Breakdancing</h2>Some of the teens have stepped up and started leading their own workshops! These weekly sessions have given them a sense of purpose, igniting their existing passions and enabling them to pass down their traditions to others in their community. They have choreographed performances for some of the cultural events hosted at El3eza and a few of them were even invited to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FuuKSXisu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">perform at the Cairo International Film Festival 2024</a>! <h2>Cultural Events and Celebrations</h2>It is important to celebrate heritage and culture within community... especially when your culture is actively being erased. There have been a number of events hosted at El3eza that focuses on just this. Food, music, dancing, singing, sharing stories and breaking bread together are the key pillars bolstering these gatherings. <h2>Workshops and Activities</h2>In addition to the highlights above, El3eza offers a wide variety of ways to participate in the fun. Below you will find a list of the different workshops and activities that have been held at El3eza Centre.So far, there have been appx 250 sessions completed with an average of 45 children per session..<ul><li>Art/Music Therapy</li><li>Montessori</li><li>Engineering/Model Making</li><li>Drama/Theatre</li><li>Drawing/Painting</li><li>Tatreez for Kids</li><li>Craft Making</li><li>Storytelling &amp; Snacks</li><li>Jewelry Making</li><li>Fun with Science</li><li>Trips to Museums and Theme Parks</li><li>Trauma Informed Care Workshops for Facilitators</li><li>Women's Circles</li><li>1 on 1 Therapy Sessions</li></ul> <h1>Plans for the Future</h1>In this environment we have learned that we must be agile and able to quickly align with the emerging needs of the collective. Now that there has been a foundation established, we hope to not only expand on the programs already in place but also start some new ones. Below are a few of the new opportunities currently on the horizon. Self-Directed Learning Program for TeenagersWe will soon begin to offer more to the adolescent age group. As a teenager, navigating life changes is stressful enough not to mention when everything has been turned upside down. In collaboration with <a href="https://youtu.be/InUAShk7wZ0?si=SGJXJbm2A-JTI3sO" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mesahat</a>, we plan to start a program for teens focused on self-directed democratic learning. Expanded Sports ProgramThe process has begun to build more professional football teams with regular training schedules and tournaments. The ultimate goal is to take one of the teams on an international trip to play against teams in South Africa. In addition to leveling up the football program, we are working to add other sports into the mix with opportunities to participate in sports like, basketball, swimming, and handball. <h2>Thank you all for your never-ending support! </h2>All donations collected by this project will be used to purchase supplies, provide snacks/drinks, and maintain the facilities.

El3eza Centre
Whyld Wanderer

$5,878.45

El3eza CentreWhyld Wanderer

$5,878.45

El3eza Centre
Whyld Wanderer