Circus School
The Circus School continued its vibrant training sessions for four different groups, totaling 40 committed students. Activities focused on acrobatics and aerial skills, with training taking place both inside and outdoors on the garden bridge. Kindergarten children from Zahrat Al-Yasmeen also participated in age-appropriate circus activities. The sessions were led by international volunteer Su, whose energy and guidance boosted student engagement. Preparations for a new stilt-walking street performance began with the creation of handmade costumes by the fourth group. Students across all groups showed full dedication and steady improvement.
Palestinian Child Day – April 5
Lajee Center’s Library and Circus School marked Palestinian Child Day with a special event for children from Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten and the library. The event aimed to raise awareness about children’s rights, focusing on education, play, and healthcare. Activities included interactive learning stations, a drawing and coloring corner, and a recreational area featuring circus games and physical activities. Children practiced balance and agility under the guidance of the circus team, emphasizing the right to play in a safe, joyful space. As they reflected on the suffering of their peers in Gaza, many children expressed heartfelt messages calling for protection of Palestinian children’s rights and lives. Additionally, a parallel session was held with 16 Dabke dancers, discussing the importance of children’s rights—especially education, health, and play.
Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten
April was filled with storytelling and discovery for students of Zahrat Al-Yasmeen. Preschoolers enjoyed a story titled Nahooleh (Little Bee), learning about teamwork and how bees make honey. The class then observed real bees in the garden. The students explored children’s rights through stories and hands-on art, including a session inspired by the story I’ve Grown Up and a craft activity making poppy flowers. Discussions about the signs of spring—including blossoming flowers, trees, butterflies, and bees—brought a seasonal spark to the month’s learning.
This month, children at Zahret Al-Yasmeen explored insects in their garden as part of a creative environmental activity. They learned about snails, ants, caterpillars, beetles, and even a chameleon—discussing where they live, what they eat, and their importance to the ecosystem. After interacting with the insects, the children chose their favorite ones, colored them, and shared why they found them interesting. The session was designed to build respect for nature while nurturing observational and creative skills.
Opening of the New Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Building
Lajee Center inaugurated the new building of Zahret Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten in a festive gathering attended by parents, children, staff, and representatives from local institutions. Board Chair Khaled Al-Azraq opened the event with a message of solidarity for Gaza and the northern West Bank, reaffirming that the Center’s mission of education and social development reflects the resilience and spirit of the camp. Kindergarten Director Magie Fattouleh shared the challenges faced since the kindergarten’s founding and highlighted the achievements of four graduating classes, all grounded in a child-centered, play-based approach.
A presentation followed, including a video about the kindergarten’s curriculum and a visual documentation of the building’s construction. The new facility features modern classrooms, integrated educational and recreational spaces, a large meeting hall, offices for staff, and dedicated areas for children with mild developmental needs. Visitors praised the design and emphasized the importance of creating safe, stimulating educational environments for young children. Zahrat Al-Yasmeen continues to serve children aged 3–5 with a focus on holistic learning, including dabke, circus, environmental activities, storytelling, and psychosocial support.
Palestinian Prisoners Day – April 17
Under the theme Child Prisoners: Between Law and Violation, Lajee Center organized an educational session for youth aged 12 to 18. The event focused on the legal and humanitarian issues faced by Palestinian child detainees. Guest speaker Majda Al-Azraq from the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs in Bethlehem provided a thorough overview of the violations endured by imprisoned children and the failure of international law to protect them. Former prisoner Samir Al-Amir gave a personal testimony about his arrest and the harsh conditions in detention. The session concluded with an interactive discussion where youth asked thoughtful questions and expressed a strong commitment to justice and awareness-raising.
QR Code Prisoner Documentation Campaign
In commemoration of Palestinian Prisoners Day, Lajee Center’s Media and Arts Unit launched a powerful street campaign in Aida Camp using QR codes to document the stories of local prisoners. QR stickers were placed across the camp, each linking to a digital profile of a prisoner, including their name, photo, sentence, arrest story, and personal writings. This simple but impactful campaign revitalized public awareness and re-centered the prisoners’ experiences in the daily life of the community, bridging modern tools with grassroots memory and advocacy
Creative Writing
The children’s story text has been finalized and illustration work is almost complete. The youth’s story is in its final revision stage. These projects are part of a broader effort to encourage narrative expression and empower young voices through literature.
Media Unit and Visual Arts
The Media Unit continued weekly sessions focused on photography, with April dedicated to learning about AV (Aperture Value) mode. Youth practiced adjusting depth of field in portrait photography, gaining hands-on experience with DSLR cameras. The Visual Arts Unit also played a key role in producing two videos for the kindergarten opening—one introducing the curriculum and another showcasing the construction process.
ACLAI Palestine Gym and Health Program
ACLAI Palestine welcomed full-time trainer Mohammad Mousa, who launched new training groups and assumed leadership of the men’s health program. The gym recorded over 1,300 individual visits in April. Lajee Celtic youth resumed joint training between the gym and the football field. A health initiative also began in collaboration with international nutritionists, launching a pilot program with 26 participants to explore healthier lifestyles through personalized support.
Lajee Celtic Club and Academy
April saw renewed energy in the football program. A series of administrative meetings laid the groundwork for future tournaments and international collaboration. The first team resumed practice under new coach Rami Masalmeh. The youth team participated in the Beit Sahour Junior League, winning three games and reaching the semifinals. Friendly matches for both junior and senior teams were held, including a competitive 3–3 draw with Shabab Al-Khader on a professional pitch. These matches are helping identify player strengths and prepare for future competitive seasons.
Women’s Unit
The Women’s Unit continued its administrative and financial training series, with sessions covering budgeting, Excel planning, and marketing. Women worked in teams to design kitchen work plans, calculate costs, and prepare promotional ideas.. The month closed with a group breakfast and reflection session. A final workshop will be held to help participants visually document and promote their work through media.
Health and Environmental Unit
Health workers conducted 223 home visits to 155 diabetic and hypertensive patients from Aida and Azzeh camps. These visits ensured patient follow-ups, added new patients to the program, and included data tracking via the Kobo system.
In environmental activities, seeds for Swiss chard, parsley, mustard greens, and lettuce were planted in trays, with the harvest being distributed to patients. The greenhouse on Abu Shaeera’s rooftop was maintained, and hydroponic systems at Lajee were planted with cucumbers and chard. Additionally, water towers distributed to patients were regularly monitored.
A new environmental club was created, and students were trained in gardening, including working with hydroponic systems and maintaining greenhouses. On April 25th, the club planted chard and lettuce in water towers and parsley in planters.
The unit hosted seven students from Aida Boys School to learn about hydroponic systems and start a school gardening project.
Educational Visit
Lajee Center and Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten welcomed an educational delegation from Hebron University and the South Hebron Education Directorate. The visitors included Dr. Mohammad Ajwa and 18 master’s students in early childhood education, who toured the kindergarten and center to learn about their educational and community-based approaches. They explored strategies focused on learning through play, environmental and artistic activities, and support mechanisms for children in difficult social conditions. The delegation expressed deep appreciation for the advanced educational model and the vital role Lajee Center plays in community empowerment.
Occupational Therapy Training
Students from Bethlehem University conducted an occupational therapy training program at Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten. The training aimed to support the development of children’s skills while integrating university students into local community initiatives.
Music Unit
Throughout April, theoretical music lessons continued for all participating students, divided into three groups, each receiving one hour of instruction per week.
Practical music lessons also remained consistent, with each student receiving a half-hour session per week focused on their chosen instrument.
