Khutwa - Step up

Children, women and young people in refugee camps in the West Bank strengthen their everyday skills through sport. Thanks to free spaces, they can develop and are protected from violence.

1.5 million Palestinians are still living in refugee camps under precarious conditions. Unemployment is high and many young people lack economic prospects. Violence is omnipresent in both public and private spaces.

Children and young people often live in precarious family circumstances in very confined spaces. Opportunities for sporting activities and playing together are rare, as is the freedom to develop their own ideas. In this environment, it is difficult for young people to use their energy positively and build up healthy self-confidence. Mental illnesses are on the increase. For young women, there are further restrictions and physical taboos within the patriarchal society.

The "Khutwa - Step by Step" project creates spaces for sport and play, thereby promoting social dialogue and cohesion. The sporting activities strengthen children - especially young girls - in their self-esteem and promote a sense of belonging and community. The children and young people learn non-violent communication for respectful interaction with one another. In this way, the project contributes to peace-building in a broader sense. In addition, the so-called "safe spaces", where girls and their mothers can meet outside of the family and build a stronger relationship.  

The "Khutwa - Step by Step" project uses an innovative and very practical, "physical" approach: During guided sports activities and games, children, young people and women are given the opportunity to discuss their needs and challenges. They learn to feel their own bodies and build self-confidence. Using playful approaches, they reflect on stereotypical gender roles and social norms. The training sessions are planned and structured according to the "Development through Sport" (Sports for Development) approach. This enables participants to transfer the skills they acquire during the training to situations and challenges in everyday life.

Frieda's partner organisation Palestine Sports for Live is also training teachers and social workers at 60 schools so that they can apply the Sports for Development approach in the Palestinian refugee camps. The children's parents and families are involved so that they can provide their children and young people with more targeted support. Mothers, who often live in isolation, gain self-confidence and new perspectives through the activities and dialogue in a protected environment.