We Too Want To play
Because Theatre Changes Lives…
Every Child Deserves a Chance
Why we are doing it?
In Gaza, there are more than 1 million children that have been suffering poverty, war trauma and so many hard issues we can only imagine, and children’s theatre is a great healing escape, imaginative space that is more necessary than ever, to reconnect and reimagine and resist and we artists are the best people to make it happen.
I have been dreaming about making children’s theatre a reality in Palestine since I arrived in Australia, especially after working on a few children’s productions and absorbing the amazing work made by various Australian children’s theatres.
What have we done so far?
*Buildings :
We have secured a building, generously given by the Gaza Council to support our vision! We are honored by their trust and will do our best to make sure the theatre is running this time next year. Yeah!!!
*Partners and collaborators:
Early last year we raised around $25k to start the first toy libraries in Palestine, hundreds of mothers donated their children’s toys to support the cause. We packed 280 boxes of toys that were sent to Gaza from the north to the south of the country.
The first library started in Shajayeah neighborhood, and since then we have collaborated with 7 different organizations to engage children of all ages and areas around Gaza, two in West Bank, in children hospitals, neighborhood community centers, early childhood centers and the largest is in Gaza State Library.
The most recent collaborators are the “Hamla Toy Library” which is being renovated after the war on Gaza and a toy library by the beach, which includes open-air theatre and nature-based playing area.
*Toy and props Making:
We have collaborated with Zinah organization to supply Gazan hand made toys for libraries and props for theatre, and work together with “Hamla” to mentor young people to make their toys from sustainable materials gathered by local community artists and activists.
What do we need?
According to the Council experts the building needs $70-100k US to get renovated and to be equipped with proper theatre needs and together with the toy libraries as a host for the mobile activities of the theatre we estimate that $150k to cover the borrowing system, toy supplies, laptops, electricity fees, and running the space fees.
(a detailed video will be shared soon- wasn’t ready for birthday release )
Our Team:
These achievements wouldn’t happen without an amazing committed team of artists, activists and theatre-makers from all around Palestine, especially Ali Mouhana, which has been leading a huge change in sustainability. As a brilliant director and theatre-maker, Ali will be leading the project on the ground.
We will gradually announce our inspiring ambassadors of this so-needed campaign. And as for now we are calling all people who care about children and young people access to art and theatre space, right to play and develop in a safe supporting artistic environment, to donate, and help us make our dream and children and theatre makers in Gaza’s dream become a reality.