Digital Media Camp
The Media and Arts Unit at the Lajee Center organized the first Digital Media Camp, hosting a group of distinguished media professionals to discuss the fundamentals of digital media, television reporting, and video filming, with a special focus on photography as the camp’s main theme.
The camp included 22 young men and women from the Aida and Azza refugee camps and the areas surrounding Bethlehem. They learned the basics of photography, how to control camera settings, different shooting styles, angles, and image sizes, along with various other topics related to this field.
During the camp, participants applied what they learned through training sessions both inside and outside the center. The camp concluded with a trip to the village of Battir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site threatened by settlement activities, where participants captured stunning photos of the village’s landmarks and its picturesque nature.
We are currently preparing for a special photo exhibition to showcase the participants’ creativity and reflect their great efforts during the camp.
Solidarity Event for UNRWA
The Lajee Center, in collaboration with the Badil Resource Center and the Global Palestinian Refugee and Displaced Persons Network, organized a support and solidarity event for UNRWA in front of the UNRWA clinic in Aida Camp. The event was attended by dozens of Palestinian refugees from the camps of Aida, Al-Azza, and Dheisheh.
The event aimed to shed light on the dangers of the Zionist-American campaign aimed at dismantling UNRWA and ending its role in Palestinian camps both within the homeland and in the diaspora. This campaign poses a threat to the rights of Palestinian refugees to education, healthcare, and social services.
Participants in the event emphasized the need to protect UNRWA as the international institution responsible for Palestinian refugees since the Nakba. They stressed that any attempts to end its role constitute a direct violation of refugee rights, foremost among them the right of return.
This event is part of a series of activities and measures organized by the Lajee Center in cooperation with local partners to strengthen popular efforts to protect UNRWA and ensure the continuation of its essential services to Palestinian refugees.
Lajee Library
This month, four activities were conducted at the library for a group of children through storytelling and drawing.
Activities with the kindergarten students began, including a story activity and an activity based on the story, which will continue over the upcoming months.
Writing and Illustrating New Children’s Stories
The creative storytelling journey at Lajee Center continues, as children actively participate in writing and illustrating their own stories. Through engaging workshops, they are developing their imagination, storytelling skills, and artistic expression.
Creative Writing Sessions
The children’s first story is nearly complete, showcasing their ability to craft meaningful narratives. Meanwhile, they are also working on a second story, exploring new ideas and characters. These sessions encourage young writers to express their thoughts, emotions, and cultural identity through storytelling, helping them develop confidence in their creative abilities.
Illustration Workshops
In parallel, drawing sessions led by artist Mohamed Al-Ra’i resumed, with children beginning to bring their stories to life visually. During two sessions this week, they focused on character development, learning how to illustrate the characters they had envisioned in their stories. This hands-on experience allows them to enhance their artistic skills while strengthening the connection between words and images.
A Creative and Educational Experience
These workshops provide children with a platform for self-expression, blending literature and visual art to create unique, original stories. By writing and illustrating their own narratives, they not only develop language and artistic skills but also learn the power of storytelling as a way to share their experiences and heritage.
Lajee Music Institute
Children began theory lessons with the teacher Zaid Hilal last month, who divided the students into 3 groups based on their levels. The sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with each session lasting one hour.
Training for the children on all instruments continues, and two new students have joined the music classes.
The choral group continues its training with teacher Yasmin Al-Atresh.
The Palestine Children’s Council
Malak Da’amseh participated in a three-day children’s meeting organized by the Global Movement for the Defense of Children. Her involvement included representing children’s rights and engaging in discussions related to child advocacy.
A significant part of this event was the elections for the Palestine Children’s Council, where Malak was elected as a member. This position allows her to contribute to decision-making processes that impact children in Palestine, advocate for their rights, and work alongside other young representatives to bring attention to important issues affecting children in her community.
Her participation highlights the importance of empowering children and giving them a voice in shaping policies and initiatives that affect their lives.
Circus School
This month, four groups of students, each consisting of nine participants, continued their intensive circus training. The first week of training was led by Gonzalo, and now Miguel, coaches from Payasos en Rebeldía in Spain. Training sessions take place four days a week, allowing students to refine their skills and develop new techniques. Miguel will be with us for two months, not only assisting with training but also offering Spanish language lessons for our circus students.
Additionally, this month our students had the wonderful opportunity to perform a special circus show for the children of Frère Kindergarten in Bethlehem. This performance was part of the grand opening of their new playground, bringing joy and excitement to the young audience. Additionally, we conducted a circus workshop, introducing the kindergarten students to the magic of circus arts and giving them a hands-on experience.
Winter Environmental Camp
The Health and Environmental Unit at Lajee Center launched the Second Winter Environmental Camp, targeting children from Aida and Al-Azza refugee camps. The initiative aims to enhance environmental awareness and strengthen children’s connection to nature through interactive and creative activities.
The five-day camp combined educational, creative, and recreational activities designed to develop participants’ skills and highlight their talents.
On the first day, the children were introduced to the camp’s objectives, which include engaging younger generations in the Environmental Club, developing their environmental skills, discovering their environmental talents, and strengthening their bond with nature through hands-on activities.
To foster interaction and teamwork, participants engaged in group games designed to break barriers and encourage cooperation. Additionally, they expressed their creativity by crafting artworks that reflect Palestinian identity, including string art representations of the Palestinian map and the iconic character Handala, using nails and wool thread. They also created recycled plant pots from plastic bottles, promoting eco-friendly practices.
On the second day, the focus shifted to educational and artistic activities, where children crafted wooden frames and bases for plastic bottle recycling, transforming them into plant pots. These creations were then filled with plants, reinforcing the value of handmade environmental projects. Furthermore, participants engaged in dialogue sessions, learning about Palestinian national symbols and their inspiring stories.
As part of the third day’s activities, the Health and Environmental Unit organized a trip to Mar Saba Monastery, east of Bethlehem. The children enjoyed the natural beauty of the area while taking part in cultural and environmental activities. They also prepared a traditional Palestinian meal, Galayet Bandora (tomato stew cooked over fire), fostering a spirit of teamwork and collective engagement.
On the fourth day, the camp featured a recreational activity alongside an awareness lecture on environmental conservation. The session covered the importance of protecting natural resources, key eco-friendly behaviors, and ways to address local environmental challenges.
On the final day, the camp concluded with a trip to Cremisan Monastery in Beit Jala, a site under threat of confiscation. The children learned about the area’s environmental significance and its historical and cultural importance. Additionally, they participated in a session prepared by fellow campers, where they presented information about the martyrs and prisoners from Aida Refugee Camp.
The closing activities included various recreational events in the scenic surroundings of Cremisan, bringing the camp to a memorable and engaging conclusion.
Dabka Unit
The Dabka Unit at Lajee Center continued its training sessions led by the trainer Samah, engaging three different age groups of children in the traditional Palestinian dance.
Through these sessions, participants not only honed their dancing skills but also deepened their connection to Palestinian heritage. The training focused on rhythm, coordination, and group synchronization, fostering a spirit of teamwork and cultural pride.
These regular Dabka sessions aim to preserve and promote Palestinian folklore, ensuring that younger generations stay connected to their roots through dance and music.
Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten
January was a month full of engaging and enriching activities for our children. As they returned from their three-week winter break, they were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. Teachers focused on reviewing classroom rules and previously learned concepts to help children transition smoothly back into their routine.
One of the key events this month was our participation in the UNRWA Solidarity Stand on January 16, 2025. The children held banners advocating for their rights to education, healthcare, and social services while singing the national anthem, reinforcing their Palestinian identity and the right of return. This experience helped instill a sense of awareness and responsibility in our young learners.
To enhance the children’s connection with the environment, we launched a Recycling and Sustainability Program. The students engaged in a creative activity where they made soap bubble wands using recycled materials, promoting both environmental awareness and fine motor skill development. Additionally, the children explored the importance of winter greens, preparing a fresh salad with lettuce and arugula to learn about healthy eating habits.
Our Library Program with Kifah encouraged a love for storytelling and reading. Children participated in engaging storytelling sessions designed to enhance their imagination, language skills, and listening abilities.
Another highlight was our Fine Motor Skills and Art Activities, where children worked on strengthening their hand muscles through activities such as coloring, playdough sculpting, and cutting exercises. They also participated in a winter-themed classroom decoration project, where they created clouds, raindrops, and other seasonal elements to enhance their learning environment. Additionally, the children enjoyed a hands-on activity peeling pomegranates, which helped improve their finger dexterity and sensory skills.
Physical movement and cultural expression were also emphasized this month. The students participated in Dabke dance training three times a week, learning traditional Palestinian dance steps that encouraged teamwork and coordination.
Seminars on the Dismantling of UNRWA and Its Impact on Palestinian Refugees
Amid the ongoing U.S.-Zionist campaign aimed at dismantling UNRWA and undermining the Palestinian refugee issue, Lajee Center in Aida Refugee Camp held two dialogue seminars targeting youth and adolescents. The discussions focused on the implications of dismantling UNRWA and its impact on Palestinian refugee camps both inside Palestine and in the diaspora.
The seminars were led by Lajee Center’s director, Mohammad Al-Azza, and board member, Samir Al-Amir. They addressed key issues concerning the fate of Palestinian refugees, engaging with an interactive audience that included the head of the Popular Committee in the camp, Saeed Al-Azza, alongside several national figures, activists, and individuals interested in refugee affairs.
The sessions focused on several critical themes, the first being the question of when UNRWA’s role would end. The speakers emphasized that UNRWA’s mandate cannot end until the implementation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194, which affirms Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their original homes, recover their properties, and receive compensation for their suffering.
The discussions also examined the stance of the Israeli colonial and apartheid system and its allies toward UNRWA. The speakers highlighted that the Israeli occupation seeks to terminate the agency as part of a broader plan to erase Palestinian refugee rights and deny them the essential services UNRWA provides. This effort aims to create a new reality in which refugees are resettled far from their rightful return.
Another key topic was the potential consequences of dismantling UNRWA. The attendees underscored the severe ramifications of this decision, including depriving millions of Palestinian refugees of educational, healthcare, and relief services, exacerbating their suffering in refugee camps both in Palestine and abroad. Furthermore, they warned of the erasure of refugee identity and the loss of their right to return.
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants stressed the collective responsibility of Palestinians—both refugees and non-refugees—to defend UNRWA as an international witness to the Nakba of the Palestinian people. The speakers emphasized the need for intensified efforts through awareness-raising, political and media pressure, and advocacy campaigns to safeguard Palestinian refugee rights and reject international attempts to dismantle UNRWA.
The attendees affirmed that such discussions are crucial in raising awareness among Palestinian youth about the challenges facing the refugee cause and fostering a community movement capable of resisting plans that threaten Palestinian national identity and the right of return.
Health and Awareness Event at Lajee Center
The Health and Environment Unit at Lajee Center organized a special event for patients enrolled in the health project, with the participation of 55 men and women. The event aimed to raise health awareness and discuss important health and social issues.
The event began with a healthy breakfast for the participants, followed by an informative session led by Aya Darwish, Health and Environment Unit Coordinator, and Dr. Mohammad Abu Sroor. They highlighted the importance of the health project in improving patients’ lives and its role in providing educational and guidance services that help them better manage their health conditions.
During the event, Mohammad Al-Azza, Director of Lajee Center, and Samir Al-Amir, a board member, addressed the issue of UNRWA’s dismantling and the U.S.-Israeli campaign aimed at ending its operations. They emphasized that this campaign poses a direct threat to refugees, especially patients who rely on UNRWA’s health services. They clarified that while Lajee Center provides awareness and guidance services, it is not a substitute for UNRWA, which remains the primary organization responsible for providing relief and healthcare services to refugees.
The session also included an open discussion, where patients expressed their concerns about the impact of UNRWA’s service reductions and proposed strategies to counter this campaign. Their suggestions included raising community awareness, strengthening grassroots movements, and advocating at the international level to ensure the continuation of UNRWA’s essential services.
This event is part of a series of awareness activities organized by Lajee Center to promote health and social awareness among refugees and shed light on issues affecting their daily lives.
