Child-friendly spaces as pivotal platforms for education and emotional healing
The journey of most of the people living in internally displaced people camps in the Southern governorates of Yemen, is often marked by displacement and fear. Amidst this backdrop, child-friendly spaces emerge as sanctuaries of hope and healing. For Lokman’s mother, the child-friendly space is a lifeline for her visually impaired son, who otherwise lives in a world constrained by darkness and danger. "He can't see the games or distinguish between them. He can't go out," she shares, her voice a blend of fear and hope. "This space... it changes his mood, and he can start interacting with other children and gets used to learning and discovering in a safe environment."
For these children, the child-friendly space represents a transformation. Fatima 5 years old shares, "I like the safe space and I feel happy every day I play here. I learn lots of things." Hamdi adds, "Before we used to play with toy guns in the street under the sun, but the organisation let us play here instead." These spaces are more than just play areas; they are classrooms for life where conflict is forgotten, and creativity is fostered.
The positive impact spills over into the lives of parents as well. One mother’s narrative encapsulates the profound change these spaces can induce: "Before this space, I was tired, I had a depression... but when I was treated, I understood. I started to appreciate my family... They taught me how to depend on myself and how to raise my family and take care of my children." The transformation is clear, peace and respect have replaced the shouting and chaos within her home.
These child-friendly spaces serve as pivotal platforms for education and emotional healing, reshaping family dynamics and offering relief from the turmoil of conflict.
Yet, for all the healing they bring, these spaces need the world's attention and support to sustain their vital work. They require hands ready to build, hearts willing to care, and resources prepared to support.
