Camp 'sows joy' in hearts of young Lebanese, Iraqis.

Byline: Mohammed Zaatari

Summary: Some 60 Iraqi and Lebanese children concluded on Sunday a six-day summer camp organized by the Development for People and Nature Association (DPNA) in cooperation with the Swedish "Save the Children" association in Nabatieh. "This camp aims to entertain Lebanese and Iraqi children who suffer tough living conditions.

NABATIEH: Some 60 Iraqi and Lebanese children concluded on Sunday a six-day summer camp organized by the Development for People and Nature Association (DPNA) in cooperation with the Swedish "Save the Children" association in Nabatieh. "This camp aims to entertain Lebanese and Iraqi children who suffer tough living conditions, boost their self-confidence and offer them training sessions in the fields of art and craftwork," Mohammad Sharif, the camp's director, told The Daily Star.

According to Sharif, the camp was launched after the association conducted a survey of the number of Iraqi families living in Nabatieh.

"Statistics have shown that 113 Iraqi families are living in Nabatieh, including 450 individuals," he said.

Roula Mahdi, a trainer, said at first parents had found it strange to send their children to a Lebanese camp.

"A few kids took part in the first day of the camp, but then we were surprised to see that many children rushed to join us," she told The Daily Star. "Iraqi children who suffer from deprivation on different levels constituted the main incentive toward organizing such activity."

Mahdi said the camp was loaded with activities, "to the extent that participants could not find any free time."

"Drawing, sports, handicraft, face painting, pottery, swimming and other activities were all included in the program," she added.

Highlighting the objectives of the camp, Sharif said it had contributed to reducing the social gap between Iraqi and Lebanese children through common activities.

"Many children have refused to go home. They wanted to stay at the camp while several others asked us to organize a similar activity next year," he said. "This camp has sown joy and delight in the heart of those children."

DPNA president Fadlallah Hassouna said this step was part of a project agreed upon by the Iraqi diaspora in Nabatieh and Save the Children.

"We will be executing other activities in the next four months," he told The Daily Star. "The whole project is aimed at increasing the participation of children and adolescents within their surrounding communities, while building their capacities and skills."

"What is more," he added, "it aims to reduce youth's anger and fear by providing them with safe spaces and ways of expression, and to build capacities of women through "Arab Woman Speaks Out" and illiteracy courses, in addition to providing them with vocational training to help them find a job."

Hassouna said the association would also provide some children with what he described as "school support."

"Financial aid will be offered to those who intend to register their kids at private schools, since public institutions do not receive Iraqi students unless they have empty seats," he said.

In the closing ceremony, children organized an exhibition where they displayed their paintings, and also participated in dance and acting shows.

"We had lots of fun here away from the war in Iraq," 11-year-old Iraqi Ali Janabi told The Daily Star. "But when the war ends, I will go back to my country, though Lebanon has been my country too."

Iraqi Hameeda Abdel-Hassan, 9, said that the camp was the first time she took part in a "collective life."

"I am very happy. When I go home I will show my mother the pottery I have made along with my Lebanese friends," she said.

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