Help Traumatized Palestinian Children

Summer camp just ended at the Spafford Children’s Center (SCC) in East Jerusalem. The children who come to SCC live with the strains of the ongoing occupation and the stress of increased restrictions on Palestinians in Jerusalem making days of fun and exploration at SCC even more valuable.

Field Trips

There was a visit to the village of Khirbet al-Saadiya where the campers explored the site, played games, and enjoyed a delicious picnic. In their SCC t-shirts the campers had a day full of adventure and learning, where they discovered the history of the area and enjoyed the breathtaking natural surroundings. Camp also included a visit to a Jerusalem archeological museum and a trip to an equestrian club in Beit Sahoor where they had a day riding horses, learning about their care, and petting their soft noses.

Swimming

It was hot for the three weeks of the July summer camp at SCC so a trip to a swimming pool in Jericho brought welcome relief. Outfitted with arm and ring floats and goggles, the SCC children were ready to have fun and practice their swimming strokes.

Clever Counselors

Every summer the chairs in the courtyard of the SCC get another coat of paint. This year blue, red, and yellow were added to the metal arms and seats of the chairs. The imaginative camp counselors at the SCC find ways to engage the children in fun and useful activities so that they recognize the importance of contributing to their community.

They also create games with simple materials. Feet and hands drawn on paper and arranged in one of the SCC rooms makes for a challenging game of balance mixed with giggles and fun.

Palestinian children live with stress every day and like all children they need safe ways to release their stress and enjoy just being a child. Your donations to the American Friends of the Spafford Children’s Center support these special summer events as well as the educational, therapeutic, and recreational activities that continue throughout the year.