The Rachel Corrie Children's Center in Rafah, Gaza provides children with a place to play, learn and take part in social and cultural activities. They are setting up a new room for free play and upgrading their library. The center is named for a young woman from the US who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer while trying to prevent demolition of a Palestinian home in Rafah. The center is dedicated to building relationships between the children and youth in Rafah and their peers in other countries
Children's lives in Rafah, Gaza are marked by military occupation and poverty. Since its opening in 2003, the Rachel Corrie Center has welcomed thousands of children. From English classes to summer camps to storytelling, the center provides a respite from the hardships of daily life. However after 10 years, the center is in a state of disrepair. They just completed major building renovations but they do not have the toys, books, and art supplies necessary for their activities.
This campaign will provide the Rachel Corrie Center with the funds to purchase the items they need locally. The Center will refurnish a play room for kids, add new books to their popular children's library, and purchase toys and art supplies. Hundreds of children will access the center each month free of charge and will have the opportunity to play and learn away from the hard realities of life in Gaza.
The impact provided shares the gift of knowledge and play with children who are living under occupation in Gaza. The first equipment purchased lasted almost ten years. This Center is available and open to any local resident or international who is in Gaza, and a donation will help further secure the Center as a place where people come to learn about Rachel Corrie and her life, make connections, and where value and respect for the rights of all children is taught.
