Palestine: The Prime Minister plays football with kids in Hebron

Palestine: The Prime Minister plays football with kids in Hebron

In the stands, but also on the field with the players, the Palestinian Prime Minister joined in a football match organised by Terre des hommes on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of the European Commission’s humanitarian aid and civil protection (ECHO). The idea was to offer the kids from Hebron a day of relaxation.

In the sports centre of the town of Hebron, a team of 21 youngsters from 10 schools in the region of Hebron where Terre des hommes works, faced a team made up of Terre des hommes staff. After a few introductory words, the Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Salam Fayyad, kicked off the game and played the first ten minutes of the match on the Tdh side, whilst representatives of the European humanitarian aid played on the kids’ side. Although the youngsters train every day, the Tdh team finally managed to score seven goals to three, to the delight of the 2,700 children in the stadium, together with representatives of the regional authorities, the town council and the Ministry of Education. At the end of the match, all the players got together for a tasty snack. The youngsters all got presents (frisbees and T-shirts) from ECHO for taking part, and enjoyed a performance by clowns.

“We care, we act” was the motto of the day. The Palestinian youngsters live in a daily state of oppression due to the Israeli occupation, which is particularly extreme in the Hebron area. Terre des hommes sets up this type of psychosocial activity to let them breathe freely for a bit, to express their stress and fears and to get together. Violence is also very present in these children’s lives, whether at a domestic level, at school, or just between themselves.  Parents and teachers are closely involved in these activities; supported and advised as to education respecting child rights.

This special day was organised in collaboration with the humanitarian aid and civil protection of the European Commission (ECHO) and the Upper Ministry of Education (MOEHE).