Healing and thriving: Thousands of children take part in World Vision's Summer Camps

"I prefer going to bed early so I don’t hear the sounds of incursions and violence in the streets of my village at night. I used to play outside until late, but now I’m afraid to leave the house when the sun begins to set," says Nader*, from Tammun, a village in the Tubas governorate. Like Nader, many children in the West Bank face a harsh reality with no safe spaces to play, meet friends, or simply enjoy moments of innocence. Since October 7, 2023, the situation has only worsened. Schools are often closed, and the threat of violence constantly looms. With the escalating conflict, multiplying checkpoints, and deepening economic hardships, many children have been confined to their homes, isolated from friends and their familiar routines. As a result, they carry the heavy burden of stress, anxiety, and trauma—wounds that can last a lifetime.

In response to this, World Vision International, in partnership with local village councils, organized summer camps in 73 villages across the West Bank from July to September 2024. Over the course of nine days, nearly 9,400 children, aged 6 to 14, participated in fun activities in a safe environment where they could enjoy being children once again. “It’s the first time in a very long period that I’ve had fun and learned new things in my village. The camp was a wonderful break from the everyday routine. I cherished every moment,” says Malak*, 11, from the area of southern Nablus.

During the camps, children also participated in daily mental health and psychosocial support sessions to help them manage stress, anxiety, and trauma during these difficult times. “The camps came at a time when our children were anxious due to the conflict in Gaza and the daily incursions in the village. My son was deeply traumatized by the security situation and refused to play outside with other kids. The summer camp gave him a chance to express his feelings and release energy through activities,” said Iman*, a mother from Tubas governorate. "He came back with more confidence, a positive outlook on life, and new skills. The transformation in just a few days was incredible" adds Manal*, a parent from As-Sawiya in the southern Nablus area.

The camps were facilitated by 240 local volunteers, all trained by World Vision. Despite the challenges, these dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to make the camps an unforgettable experience for the children in their villages. “Setting up the camps is hard work. We put in a lot of effort to plan and ensure everything went smoothly. But seeing the kids’ joy and excitement makes it all worthwhile. Their happiness really makes all the effort pay off,” says Marram*, a 34-year-old facilitator.

These camps also marked the second anniversary of the Makani (“My Space” in Arabic) clubs, after-school programs managed by World Vision in more than 75 villages across the West Bank. Over the past year, more than 15,000 children have attended these clubs on a monthly basis. The aim of the initiative is to support children’s education and encourage their development, ultimately improving their resilience in a fragile context. Through learning and practicing important life skills, children are able to improve their mental health, perform better in school, and strengthen relationships with their families and communities. “I feel like I’m part of a large, supportive family committed to positively influencing the behaviour and skills of children. Our mission is to help them thrive, find joy, and embrace life to the fullest,” says Aisha, a facilitator from Qusra.

Beyond life skills, the Makani clubs also offer psychosocial support to help children cope with stress and trauma. "One of the best things in my life is going to the local club on Saturdays and meeting my friends. We discover new games, talk about ourselves, and express our feelings. At the club, we’re all accepted and welcomed just the way we are. It feels like much more than just a club." The Makani clubs will resume at the end of September 2024, welcoming all children aged 6 to 14 in 74 villages across the West Bank, providing them with a few hours each week to simply be children—far from their daily worries.