An-Najah National University organized a psychosocial support and relief activity for children in the village of Iraq Burin. The activity targeted 120 boys and girls from the town, providing a fun environment for the children and an opportunity to express their feelings and alleviate stress and psychological pressures related to the conditions they live in, through play, interaction, and movement. The activity aimed to provide a psychological and social space that helps children communicate, play, and regain childhood feelings, given the limited spaces and activities available to them.

The activity was organized by the Iraq Burin Village Council, the Palestinian Childhood Institute, the Community Service Center, and the Palestinian Center for Childhood Policies, with the participation of university students specializing in expressive art therapy and therapeutic sports.
The children were divided into groups in the form of interactive and recreational corners that take into account the children’s psychological and emotional needs. One of the segments included magic tricks presented by the Palestinian Circus School, “Telematch” games, face painting, drawing on paper rolls, as well as singing, dancing, and traditional Palestinian songs.

The activities played a role that goes beyond entertainment, as they allowed children to release energy and emotions in a spontaneous and safe way. Movement games helped unleash energy through physical activity, while drawing provided a space for non-verbal expression of thoughts and feelings. Face painting and interactive games also helped restore feelings of joy, fun, and connection.

This type of intervention gains importance in environments where children are exposed to continuous stress, as its psychological effects may appear in the form of fear, tension, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, or changes in sleep and behavior, without the child always being able to express them directly. Hence, play and interaction in a safe environment serve as a means to help the child regain a sense of safety and express themselves.