The "Bridges of Hope" project, initiated in April 2017 and completed by September 2017, was funded by the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) and completed in collaboration with local organizations, including the Freedom and Justice Center and Khutwat. This project targeted two schools in the old city of Hebron, specifically in the Al Sahla and Wadi Al Nassara neighborhoods, which are heavily impacted by conflict and violence. The primary objective was to support students and their mothers by fostering a safer, more nurturing environment and providing essential psychosocial support to help them cope with trauma. The project Benefits a number of 80 students “40 males and 40 females” along with 40 mothers.

The selected neighborhoods for this project are among the most unstable in Hebron, situated near the Keryat Arba settlement. Students and their families living in these areas have faced various forms of violence, including physical assaults, arrests, and psychological harassment by soldiers and settlers. The persistent violence and tension have significantly impacted their mental and emotional well-being, creating an urgent need for comprehensive support to alleviate trauma and foster resilience.

To address the critical issues faced by the children and their mothers, the "Bridges of Hope" project provided:

1. Psychosocial Support and Art Therapy: Recognizing the power of art as a healing tool, the project offered art therapy sessions, where participants used creative expression to process their experiences and emotions.
2. Parenting Skills Training: Workshops were conducted to equip mothers with essential parenting skills, focusing on child development, problem-solving, and emotional support. These sessions aimed to enhance their ability to nurture and support their children in such a challenging environment.
3. Cultural and Community-Building Activities: By incorporating traditional Palestinian cultural activities such as the traditional dance (Dabka), the project fostered a sense of identity, pride, and cohesion among participants.
4. Leadership Training: Empowering both mothers and children with leadership skills helped them build self-confidence and the capacity to advocate for their needs within their community.

The "Bridges of Hope" project’s activities were designed to generally address the needs of both the children and their mothers. Each activity aimed to provide psychological relief, foster community connections, and promote cultural heritage. The core activities were:

1. Leadership Training: These workshops focused on developing leadership qualities in both mothers and students. By cultivating leadership skills, the project aimed to instill a sense of responsibility and agency, enabling participants to become active contributors within their communities. This training included exercises on communication, decision-making, and conflict.
2. Psychology and Education Workshops: Mental well-being was a priority, and the workshops provided a supportive space where children and their mothers could learn about managing stress, emotional regulation, and the impact of trauma. Organizers included local psychologists who guided mothers and students in understanding mental health fundamentals and coping strategies. Education workshops further reinforced these themes, particularly focusing on how parents can support their children’s learning and development despite challenging circumstances.
3. Cultural Activities: Traditional Palestinian Dabka dancing was incorporated into the project as a means of promoting cultural pride and unity. Through Dabka sessions, children and mothers engaged in this expressive and rhythmic dance, which symbolizes Palestinian resilience and solidarity. By reconnecting with their cultural roots, participants experienced a sense of pride and belonging that bolstered their overall sense of well-being.
4. Theatre and Plays: Theatre arts offered participants a unique medium for self-expression. In drama workshops, students explored acting and improvisation techniques, helping them express feelings and experiences they might not otherwise articulate. These performances provided therapeutic benefits and offered a form of distraction and creative expression. In addition, the project included the production of a community play that allowed both children and mothers to engage in storytelling, symbolizing their struggles and triumphs in a shared, supportive environment.
5. Art Therapy Sessions: Participants created art pieces that reflected their personal journeys and feelings. Art therapy proved to be an effective tool in alleviating stress and promoting emotional healing. These sessions encouraged open communication, allowing children and mothers to share their stories visually and find relief through creative expression.

The project yielded significant outcomes for both the children and their mothers:

1. Psychosocial Well-being: Participants showed marked improvements in emotional health and resilience. Children developed coping mechanisms, while mothers reported a better understanding of their children’s emotional needs.
2. Enhanced Parenting Skills: Mothers gained valuable insights and practical skills, allowing them to more effectively support their children’s development.
3. Community Cohesion: The project created stronger community bonds, as participants shared common experiences and supported one another, creating a foundation for collective resilience.

The “Bridges of Hope” project played a pivotal role in building a more cohesive and supportive community in Hebron where tensions and violence are a daily reality. The activities encouraged participants to come together as a unified group, sharing experiences, and providing comfort and solidarity to one another. Through workshops and group activities, participants learned coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and trauma. This reinforced their emotional strength, which became a foundation for long-term personal and communal well-being. Cultural activities like traditional Palestinian Dabka dancing and theater helped reinforce a sense of shared identity and heritage. Such cultural expressions act as a form of resistance and solidarity in communities under pressure from external forces. also, Mutual Support Networks provided emotional support and practical help in navigating daily life challenges, such as schooling, safety, and child development. All these activities enable participants to feel pride in their heritage and build unity through shared traditions.

While the project did not have direct economic benefits, it indirectly supported the local community by empowering individuals to become resilient and hopeful for the future. This empowerment can contribute to long-term socio-economic stability by fostering a generation that is mentally and emotionally equipped to contribute to society. As emotional health is deeply connected to economic productivity. By addressing the psychological trauma faced by children and their mothers, the project helped create a mentally healthier community. The project’s impact on children’s mental well-being also supports the development of a more resilient future workforce. By equipping young people with emotional tools and leadership skills, the project lays the foundation for a generation that can contribute to the local and national economy in a positive and sustainable way.

The “Bridges of Hope” project stands as a powerful example of how targeted psychosocial support can have a profound impact on communities facing adversity. Through a combination of art therapy, cultural activities, leadership training and education, the project addressed immediate needs while development long-term resilience. It left a lasting legacy in Hebron, empowering students and their mothers to overcome challenges and envision a brighter future.