After children in Gaza were subjected to more violence & fear during the recent Israeli attacks in May, MECA and our partners acted quickly to provide Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) for more than 600 children. We organized three “open days” in different areas of Gaza where children and families had experienced especially hard times during the attacks with many homes damaged. During the open days, trained staff including psychologists and social workers, led the children in games, competitions, clown and puppets shows, and distributed new toys.

We have a lot of work ahead of us to continue helping these traumatized children and many more. But I was so pleased when I saw hundreds of children playing, running and laughing just one week after they lived through  heavy Israeli bombings. They were laughing because they escaped being killed this time too, as well as because they received psychological care in their most vulnerable and fragile times.

Actually, after days of deep sadness and tears, I also needed to see the smiles of children and absorb this energy so that I could continue my work.

These few moments of happiness cannot be forgotten. We are here, young and old, catching the moments of joy and clinging to them because we know that after days or months we may return to weeping in grief whenever Israel wants to launch a fresh attack.