2006 Popular Achievement Festival in Gaza
Gaza Festival, PA group performing.
Photo: Ibraheem Khadra.
For the first time QPYP in Gaza decided to have a festival at the end of the current Public Achievement cycle. One month ago the staff and participants felt that it might be hard to organize everything since the Israeli invasion into Gaza was starting.Similarly, last year's closure and division of Gaza into three parts before Israeli disengagement made the celebration impossible.
This time the staff realized that the young people did a great job. About 95% of youth groups have completed their initiatives successfully. Within these circumstances they decided to organize the festival and we scheduled it for July 27th.
The organizing efforts went on for days in spite of the problem with electricity, which had the most effect on production of the publications needed for the festival. They worked long hours during the day and sometimes during night hours in order to take advantage of some electricity.
One of the PA groups preparing for
their performance.
Photo: Ibraheem Khadra
Finally the Festival day came. The morning of the event they received the news that about 25 people killed in Gaza city. They were saddened and extremely worried but they continued with the planned activities. 800 people came to join the celebration of the successful completion of the cycle.
"It is not easy to explain in words what happen on Thursday July 27th. This date will be in my mind for long time and I am sure hundreds will keep it in theirs as well. It was wonderful - very organized, successful, people came from many organizations, universities, schools, ministries, youth organizations, families with children -everything was great. We made sure to let people know about the Public Achievement and youth engagement in this program. Every aspect of the festival was planned to tell a story about something. The program included exhibitions, presentations, stories from coaches and participants, PA choir, art expression, etc. I can say that it was a new birthday for Public Achievement in Gaza. This success will put more responsibility on us to do even better."(Amal Sabawi-QPYP Gaza Director)
^ Top of page |
Email this page