Children, Play and Education (EJE) organized in Jericho the 2nd Play festival entitled “Let us all Play together” between 13-15 April 2010 to celebrate the Palestinian Child Day and the 20th anniversary of the ratification of the international Declaration of Children’s Rights.
The festival aimed at engaging children and adults in outdoor recreational activities together with raising their awareness on the essential role of play that can serve as a pedagogical and educational tool. Playing is an important activity for all. It is a source of entertainment but also of personal development. This is why EJE entitled the festival: “Let us play all together”.
The festival was organized in cooperation with Save the Children UK, Jericho Municipality, governorate of Jericho and Jordan valley and Al-Islah Society. It had taken place for three days in the Spanish Park, which provided a beautiful outdoors environment. The planning phase involved an intensive reparatory phase during which 60 volunteers were trained, half of them being teenagers and children. One of the principles of the festival was indeed that most of the games would be presented and explained by the youth themselves.
The festival was officially opened by Mr. Kamel Hameed, governor of Jericho and Jordan Valley with the presence of Mr. Jack Neno, general coordinator of Children, Play and Education, Mr. Jamal Al-Rjoub, general director of public affairs in the governorate of Jericho and Jordan valley and around 250 visitors.
The following days were overall very popular with an attendance of more than 500 visitors a day. The visitors came from all over the West Bank, especially from the districts of Jenine, Hebron , Nablus, Beit Furik. Remote villages from the Jordan valley also participated such as Al Jiflek. Visitors included many children from governmental and UNRWA schools but also adults and even elderly people from Jericho. As the festival was held in an open area of the Spanish Park, many people and families just joined out of curiosity.
During the festival, the participants had the unique opportunity to discover many games among the 150 presented. The games were of different kinds – scientific games, wooden games and rule games. Elderly Palestinians were delighted to play again with some wooden games that belong to Palestinian heritage, and to discover other games from other cultures. The rule games section was a chance for the children to discover that not only such games could be challenging but also entertaining. The scientific games section was also very appreciated, with some persons coming three days in a row to find the solution.
A great part of this success was due to the commitment of the volunteers. They truly assumed their role with genuine dedication. They prove to themselves and others that they were indeed capable of handling very well their tasks and take their rights in their own hands. For Issa from Al Qabat Jaber camp, “the most beautiful thing was that I learned how to make commitment and how to deal with people”. Another child, Abdelhamid, added: “the best thing was when the adults, and my parents came to me to ask how to play the games”. Others also stressed the opportunity that the festival gave them to meet again some friends they made in previous EJE events. For Batul from Al Aroub refugee camp, “I was so happy to make new friends and meet again some of my friends from other centers. It was also good that we learn how to share with others and collaborate”.
Many found the experience exciting. In Palestine, it is indeed very difficult to have access to such games. As Rana, 13 years old, from Alqabt Jabr girls school, stated:“we have no games at school…I am so happy to take part in such an event where I met my friends and came across many new games.”
Adults were also very pleased because they have not played for a long time. It also provided them an opportunity to share special moments with the children. Salem, a Red Crescent volunteer, declared: “I love children…I encourage such an event that help children to have fun and develop their skills…I hope the organization will keep organizing such an event … I really feel happy when I play with children.”
EJE team feels that a lot of progress have been made since the last festival in Bethlehem. They are now already planning for the next festivals in Hebron and Ramallah.
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