Help the Children

Festivals 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

REMEMBER the INNOCENTS 2002 Despite curfews and an intrusive Israeli military presence in the area, Holy Land Trust held its annual Remember the Innocents festival on December 28th, 2002 just as scheduled. We worked in cooperation with the Wia'm Center, the SOS and Innad Theater, the Arabic Educational Institute, Indaa' Institute, the Arab Count Delegate, the National Emergency Committee, and the Children's Welfare Society. The Festival provided opportunities for Palestinian children to relieve stress and interact with other children in a comfortable and safe environment. A recent UNICEF report announced that 100% of Palestinian children suffer from the symptoms of trauma-so the need for providing safe and nurturing environments for Palestinian children is great. The event took place in a big hall at the Peace Center and lasted for two hours. Normally, Holy Land Trust's "Remember the Innocents" festival is held outdoors at the Nativity Square. Due to this year's Israeli military presence, festivities were kept indoors. We did move our activities outside briefly, however, and the children were able to make their voices heard by marching around the square with signs that read: "Stop killing our children," which was the main logo of this year's festival. The governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Mohammad El Madani, delivered a speech to encourage and offer hope to the children. His address was followed by one from Mr. Michael Nasser, the director of the Peace Center. The actor Khalid El Masso (who is enormously popular with young Palestinians) also performed for the festival with help from the Innad theater team. To conclude the festivities, Ibdda' Center led the room in a series of children's songs. Despite military incursions and curfews, Holy Land Trust and its Palestinian partners were able to host an enormously successful event which helped bring joy and hope into the lives of the children: the true innocents of this conflict. 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003