Day 13

5 min. Trauma therapy for a child in Bethlehem

So that children can rediscover their language

Trauma Healing through Music and Play Therapy for Children in Palestine

Sarah is eight years old and lives with her family in a refugee camp in Bethlehem. In her short life, she has already been through a lot. Sarah often has nightmares, is anxious, and withdraws more and more. Her mother is worried and takes her to the trauma care center.

Here, in a safe environment, Sarah can finally express her feelings. "I can finally understand why I am sad!" she says. Through music and play therapy, Sarah's inner strength is slowly being rebuilt.

Her mother is thrilled with the progress: "Sarah is finally shining again and is less anxious. She keeps talking about the beautiful experiences in the therapy group." Even her therapist notices the changes: "Sarah is dealing with her emotions more openly and has found her voice again."

Trauma Healing through Music and Play Therapy for Children in Palestine

need

Therapy services for traumatized children in Bethlehem and the surrounding area

activity

Music and play therapy to help children process their traumatic experiences

Measurable performance

Number of hours of music and play therapy performed

Result

The children can better deal with the consequences of the trauma and are psychologically stable

Systemically relevant impact

Improved mental health and participation in social life for the children

background

The situation of children in Palestine is challenging for various reasons. They grow up in an environment marked by conflict and violence. Many children in Bethlehem have witnessed or experienced things that they cannot process at their young age. Their parents are often overwhelmed: the history of the region has left its marks on them too, leading to significant emotional strain (Farajallah, I., 2022).

When children survive trauma, it shapes their future lives. Many of them suffer from what is called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some children experience sleep disorders or nightmares. Others become angry or withdraw and no longer participate in life (Marie, M. et al., 2020). Children who have experienced violence therefore need professional therapeutic and trauma-sensitive support.

Wings of Hope is committed to ensuring that children who have experienced violence are provided with therapeutic support and guidance. Here, they learn in a protected environment that their symptoms are normal reactions to abnormal events. They discover their resources and develop positive coping strategies. In this way, victims can become true survivors.

The good deed

With your good deed today, you are helping children in Palestine who have been traumatized by experiences of violence. Your donation contributes to helping children process their difficult experiences through trauma therapy. Child-friendly methods are primarily used: In play therapy, children can express their feelings. Through activities like drawing, making music, relaxation exercises, and role-playing, the young patients develop important stress management and resilience skills. Positive experiences in the therapy process help the children experience joy and growth. Additionally, the programs help the children better understand their symptoms and learn to manage their emotions in a healthier way. After the therapy, the children are psychologically stabilized, can better recognize their needs, regulate stress, and reintegrate into social life.

About Palestine

n/a

Capital city

5,165,775

population

as of 2023

3,367.6

Gross domestic product per capita per year in USD

as of 2023

0.716

Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

as of 2023/2024

Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus. Christmas is celebrated here three times: Catholics and Protestants on December 25th, Orthodox on January 6th, and the Armenian Orthodox Church on January 19th.

About the organization and further information