The activity centres supported by EJE in the Gaza Strip draw up a program of activities at the beginning of the year which sets out activities for each month. This program is the same for all centres. It includes artistic activities (such as drawing, drama and dance) sports and games to improve cognition. In addition, trips are organized each week.
These centres are aimed at children and adolescents between 6 and 16 years of age. Following the events of December 2008 – January 2009 in this region, the EJE team in Gaza deplored the lack of a psychologist.
Centers overwiew in Gaza
Maghazi Center
EJE has supported the centre of Maghazi since April 2008. The centre hosted 160 children every day. However, it was decided in late March 2009 to end the partnership because of a lack of compliance with the contract signed between the centre and EJE (activity centre workers were often absent and did not respect the contract). Instead a new partnership with the Association Ajyal was initiated. This association handles refugees in the Al Tufah area which was hit hard by the bombing.
Ajyal Center
This activity centre is located in Gaza itself, in the centre of the old city. The centre shares the building with a neighborhood association, named Ajyal. Following the war in January 2009 the district has been much destroyed.
Bureij Center
Bureij camp is located in the center of the Gaza Strip. It’s a relatively quiet camp with no particular problem. The camp population is estimated at just over 31,000 inhabitants.
Khan Younis Center
The camp of Khan Younis is, as its name suggests, near the town of Khan Younis, formerly a major stopover for the old trade route to Egypt. The camp houses 68,000 refugees.
Rafah Center
Rafah is located on the southern Gaza border with Egypt. It is highly guarded by the Israeli army and the Egyptian authorities. The majority of Rafah residents do not work and without assistance from UNRWA they could not survive.
Jabalia Center
Jabalya camp is located north of the Gaza Strip near the border with Israel. It is the largest Palestinian refugee camp. Its population amounts to more than 100 000 inhabitants and is approximately 1.4 km2, making it one of the most densely populated places in the world.
