HELP CHILDREN WITH CANCER IN PALESTINE!

REPORT: SOLETERRE CHILDREN’S CENTER IN BEIT JALA

July 2025

A New Space for Healing, Open to All

In July 2025, Soleterre officially opened the Children’s Center in Beit Jala, a permanent hub dedicated to supporting children and families living with the invisible wounds of war and illness. The Center stands just opposite the Beit Jala Hospital, a location chosen not by chance: this proximity allows us to welcome children and families who are already navigating the hospital system (for oncology care or other treatments) but who also desperately need psychological support to face the traumas of violence, chronic illness, and displacement.

The Center was made possible thanks to the trust and generosity of a network of Italian private donors who believe in Soleterre’s longterm commitment to children’s mental health in Palestine.

Here, children find a safe, welcoming space where they can begin to heal through play, creativity, and psychological counseling. Families too are supported, offering caregivers tools and guidance to strengthen resilience in environments where daily life remains precarious and uncertain.

The Context: A Silent Crisis

In a region of 5.5 million inhabitants, served by only 250 active psychologists (one professional for every 22,232 people), the mental health crisis among Palestinian children remains largely unseen. Only 15% of children who need psychological support receive care, while 50% exhibit symptoms of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many suffer from Continuous Traumatic Stress Disorder (CTSD) — the socalled “Palestinian Syndrome” — born of constant threats, incursions, and humiliations.

For children already battling cancer, these wounds cut even deeper. The trauma of war compounds physical suffering, making their journey toward recovery even more fragile.

Our Mission and Objectives

The Soleterre Children’s Center has been established to respond concretely to these urgent needs. Our objectives are clear:

• Deliver more than 1,200 therapy sessions annually, reaching at least 400 children coping with trauma and fear.

• Integrate specialized traumainformed care for pediatric oncology patients (recognizing their double burden of illness and conflict).

• Establish safe, creative environments (playtherapy rooms, art and music workshops, and private counseling spaces) where children can begin to rebuild trust and express emotions.

• Provide capacitybuilding for local professionals, offering ongoing training and support to prevent burnout and strengthen the resilience of the wider community.

TraumaInformed Oncology Care

Children undergoing cancer treatment face not only physical hardship but also the persistent threat of violence. At our Center, every oncology patient receives personalized psychological care that acknowledges both the medical journey and the psychological impacts of war. This dual approach helps children — and their families — find moments of calm, build coping strategies, and foster hope amid uncertainty.

Looking Ahead

Over the next three years, our ambition is to:

1. Triple the number of annual therapy sessions to over 3,600.

2. Expand creative therapeutic spaces, adding new art/music labs and additional private counseling rooms.

3. Strengthen professional networks through broader training and supervision programs for local psychologists, educators, and medical staff.

Trauma may be unseen, but its scars run deep (especially for those already bearing the weight of serious illness). Soleterre’s work in Beit Jala stands as a longterm commitment to transforming silent suffering into stories of resilience and recovery.

Links:

• Inauguration Day Video