By Konrad Suder Chatterjee | Communications Manager and Resource Developer
Dear friends,
Because of you, children in Palestine are not facing trauma alone.
In recent weeks, after the completion of the previous cycle of our psycho-social interventions, ASHTAR Theatre has launched a new phase of our Sport Theatre programme across various institutions, schools, and refugee camps in surrounding areas in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. As the crisis deepens and communities continue to experience instability and loss as well as existential threats to their livelihood and the right to their land and self-determination, the need for safe, structured accessible non-medical psycho-social support has only grown. We are responding by expanding our reach step by step, working where access is possible and where schools and community partners are urgently requesting support.
Sport Theatre is a dynamic methodology that merges the physical energy of sport with the expressive language of theatre. In school courtyards, community centres, and refugee camp spaces, children gather in circles. They move, compete, collaborate, reflect, and create. Through role-play, storytelling, physical exercises, and collective games, they begin to release stress held in their bodies and articulate emotions that often remain unspoken. In environments where daily life can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, these sessions offer structure, safety, and moments of joy.
Teachers and community facilitators consistently report improved participation, stronger peer connection, and noticeable changes in confidence among children who were previously withdrawn or anxious. Alongside working directly with students, we continue training educators and local partners to use drama-based psycho-social tools, ensuring that this support does not disappear when a workshop cycle ends. Sustainability remains central to our approach.
Thanks to 1,057 donations and the commitment of hundreds of supporters worldwide, we have raised $124,918 toward our $200,000 goal. This generosity has also allowed us to launch this new phase and continue working despite extremely challenging conditions.
However, expansion requires stability. One-off donations allow us to initiate workshops in new locations. Monthly donations allow us to sustain them. They ensure continuity for children who rely on consistent, safe spaces week after week. Regular support enables us to plan long-term, working with more teachers, and respond quickly when new schools and refugee camps request intervention.
When a child enters our circle, we make a promise: you are seen, you are heard, you are not alone. With your continued support, whether through a single contribution or a monthly commitment, we can keep that promise and reach even more children who urgently need it.
Thank you for standing with us.
With gratitude f rom Ramallah and Palestine,
ASHTAR Theatre Team
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
