Promoting child and adolescent mental health through theater in Gaza

UNESCO has partnered with the Basma Association for Culture and Arts in Gaza to increase children’s resilience through puppetry. an environment in which children can express their feelings and understand their experiences and find hope among the difficulties they face.

This program focused on various activities such as listening to music, singing, playing, telling stories, acting, and other exercises aimed at helping children overcome grief and fear as they struggle to return to their normal lives. This program extends over 15 sessions held within one month, and allows 30 children and teenagers between the ages of 11 and 15 years to participate in each session.

Children held celebrations and performed theater performances using these puppets to tell stories about their trades and crafts, and to share the results of their training and experiences with their families.

The events of the play expand to show daily life during a conflict as children discuss the past and present reality In the play, the children remember when which they were happier and rejoicing, and then turns to a harsher reality in which there is conflict. Dance once symbolized weddings and joyous celebrations, but has turned into a way to express grief and sorrow in times of conflict.

The dolls return in the final chapter with a hopeful message: “Life does not end, even in times of war. There is always room for hope.”