Gaza – (A. M. Qattan Foundation):
Children of the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children participated in activities of the Higher than the Wall programme, implemented by the Child Centre – Gaza (CCG) / A. M. Qattan Foundation at the CCG premises. The programme aims at integrating children with disabilities in society, facilitate their communication, and help them discover their potential and express themselves.
The programme featured interactive activities, which engaged 14 children who lost their hearing from an early age. These children have not lost their strong desire for life, however. This was evidences in their interaction and engagement in the Higher than the Wall programme activities over three months of the Autumn 2018 cycle. Deaf children shared their stories and feelings, explored the potential of their creativity, and created a dramatic presentation out of their own experiences in their own environment.
In the sign language, Abdul Karim al-Jaru, 11 years old, expressed his love of drama and the theatre. He said he was willing to further develop his capacities. Stressing his love of acting, Abdul Karim said: “I did not imagine that I would engage in the role so quickly. My participation in the programme helped me discover that I have the talent to act.”
“I performed the role in an improvised way. Now, I have learned the basics of theatre skills and drama. I know how to face the audience confidently and firmly.” Abdul Karim went on.
Amani Ramadan, teacher at the School of Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, accompanied the children in the programme. Amani said: “Children with hearing disabilities are born with a special capacity for expression, which enable them to master body gestures and facial expressions. Therefore, drama helps these children discover their acting talents. The programme has achieved this goal.”
The CCG implements the Higher than the Wall programme with the aim of dismantling illusory walls and barriers, which deny children with disabilities’ access to a full and effective community participation. The programme creates an enabling environment that helps children with disabilities to acquire life skills and learn positive patterns of behaviour.
Since 2014, the CCG has been implementing the programme in partnership with many institutions that work with children with disabilities, including the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children and Al-Noor Rehabilitation Centre for the Visually Impaired.