Children in Gaza are growing up in a society permeated by restrictions and conflict-related violence. This leaves them with a deep sense of psychological insecurity for their future. Palestinian children older than ten living in Gaza have now witnessed three wars in their short lives. Since children aged 11 or less in Gaza have only known life under blockade, there are increasingly more children displaying high levels of stress-related symptoms, requiring mental and psychosocial support at various levels.

As you may know, I am part of the management team for Palestine Music Expo ("PMX"), which was set up to showcase the music of a wide range of talented Palestinian musicians to the international music industry. We have held 3 successful annual events so far and are having a positive impact. In the light of recent events, we have decided to support a music-related relief activity in Gaza next month, organised by trusted arts practitioners and childhood mental health experts from Gaza until other civil society organization regain their strengths and continue their work with children on a longer-term. Amos Trust as a registered humanitarian charity with a history of working in Gaza, is the trusted partner for conduit of funds. 

The purpose of this relief activity initiative is to contribute to the remedy of psychological and emotional wounds of Gazanian children caused by the recent war on Gaza. We want to give them a chance to get back to being children. By doing so, we will be decreasing the pain experienced currently by children, the fear, anxiety and worry caused by the war, until other civil society organization regain their strengths and continue their work with children on a longer-term.
We will use music as a medium for psychosocial support by offering an open-air festival to Gazan children in which they can watch, dance, sing, enjoy and be relieved from the hideous sounds of bombs and explosions that they have just experienced. 

 The festival will take place on the 17th of July on Gaza City Beach and it's estimated that 800-1500 children will participate. The festival will offer a safe space for the children to interact and engage in activities that are fun and joyful. A young musician's band will sing and play live cartoon songs from Batman, Pokémon etc and the young Gazan rapper MC Abdul will perform.

Please give what you can. Solidarity is an idea but it's also an action. The situation in Gaza is can only be cured by a heavy dose of transformational justice along with serious system change. However,  as Marian Wright Edelman said "If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much'. 

Thank you for helping.

Sarah