Regularly, the EJE centers organize open day for children and mothers. When it is open day, everybody is welcomed in the center which presents its main activities. It is a way to reach out the local community, and meet with the parents.
On 19 January 2010, 83 children attend this open day, the majority were girls, in Deir Ammar Play and Animation center, located West of Ramallah, in the West Bank. There were more than 30 mothers who came to discover what the centers provides for the children. There were different activities organized such as group games, contests, dabka and expression dancing, wooden games, rules games etc. So everyone could find something attractive and interesting.
The mothers were encouraged to play and discover these activities by participating. Some of them were also very pleased for to discover what their children have achieved or produced in the center such as handicrafts or drawings.
Some mothers had such a good time that they asked for special days that would be only open for the mothers to play by themselves without worrying about their children. In Deir Ammar, there is no women center and a general lack of infrastructure for people to meet.
They also asked for the center to have more open days for all the children.
The children were also really excited and asked for more days. As a result of this open day, many children actually registered (it only costs 5 NIS per month) and the women feel welcomed and visit the center more often.
For the children who come regularly in the center, those days are also important. They feel proud to share “their” center with their mothers. They also felt responsible as some youth were themselves in charge of some activities: “our center is becoming better everyday”, one of them said.
