A vibrant and interactive cultural-artistic environment was created for the children and youth participating in the workshops and activities delivered under the Resilience Project – Implementation of Artistic and Cultural Activities for Children and Citizens in Bethlehem. The program offered a diverse range of creative experiences, including handicrafts, drama and theatre games, embroidery, puppet-making and animation, drawing, music, and other artistic activities.

More than 400 beneficiaries of children and youth have taken part in 23 workshops. They found in these activities a space and an opportunity to release the pressures caused by the difficult political situation and the daily practices of the occupation. Through the workshops, they gained new ways to express themselves using creative and practical tools.

Sewar, a 12-year-old participant, showed remarkable skill in the quality of pieces she produced during the mosaic workshop. Trainer Mahmoud Abu Jarayesh expressed his belief that she has a promising future in this field.

Trainer Munther Banoura highlighted how happy he was to see shy and introverted children actively engaging in theater games after receiving the encouragement they needed to participate.

Trainer Manwah Abu Jumaa was impressed by the beauty of the mirrors made by the children using clay, and she enjoyed watching how much they enjoyed the clay-shaping process.

Trainer Natalie Hodali pointed out the importance of these workshops and activities in supporting the personal development of children, nurturing their creative talents, and giving them a safe space to express their feelings and aspirations.

Parents of the participating children praised the positive impact of these activities, especially given the limited recreational and training opportunities available to children in Palestine, and Bethlehem in particular.

The workshops were hosted at the Peace Center – Bethlehem Municipality and coordinated by Power Group.
The RESILIENCE project, implemented by MedCities with funding from the Barcelona City Council, aims to strengthen Bethlehem’s economic resilience in alignment with the city’s Strategic Development and Investment Plan (2023–2026), with a special focus on supporting vulnerable groups, especially women and children.