Play and Learn

This is a huge project which has started in 2018 and aims to support and protect Jerusalemite children’s rights in sports and science in five main geographical areas in Jerusalem: Issawiya, Jabal Al-Mukaber, Silwan, the Old City and Shu’fat Refugee Camp, in addition to the Sheikh Jarrah area.

The project provides training in sports (football, basketball, wheelchair basketball), extra-curricular classes in several academic subjects, and legal awareness sessions.

The project’s most important achievement is the establishment of the first wheelchair basketball team in the city of Jerusalem, which started its training in 2020 and still ongoing. The team includes 11 players and has played a number of friendly matches to date. The team also participated in the Palestinian Wheelchair Basketball Championship.

Project achievements during 2021:

• Increasing the number of children benefiting from the project to 700 boys and girls on a yearly basis. 
• The staff working on the project has increased to 35 sports coaches, 17 teachers, nine coordinators and nine administrative staff.
• The implementation of 280 football and basketball trainings per month, and 170 classes in Arabic, English, mathematics, and computer basics, over the course of a year.
• Conducting 100 legal sessions to educate children about their rights.

The project is funded by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).