02 September 2011

Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory: In Gaza late last July, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme organized a volunteer event to promote volunteer action and volunteering values.

Seventy  children  acted as volunteers and provided care for  elderly residents at the Elderly Centre in Gaza by distributing meals under the supervision of five local volunteers. The children also visited  and exchanged  gifts with the  residents who usually receive a minimum of attention from the community.

"It was amazing to see both generations interacting together and also the smiles of happiness on their faces," said Tahani Tahboub, UNV Operations Assistant in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The activity was followed by a drawing session conducted and facilitated by Al-Qattan Centre for Child in Gaza City. The drawing activity aimed to give the children an opportunity to express their impressions, thoughts and experiences on volunteering after their interaction with the elderly people.

The drawings will be submitted for inclusion in  a children’s book on volunteerism to illustrate a global representation of impressions, thoughts and experiences of the next generation of volunteers and mark  the 10^th Anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10).

This activity was led by the Elderly Centre in Gaza along with the UNDP Office of Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People and the Al Qattan Foundation, one of the most active reputable NGOs in Gaza.