In the heart of As-Sura, a small village in the West Bank, stood an old, neglected community center — a once-lively place where children’s laughter echoed against the walls.
The faded murals and broken playground equipment hinted at better days, but the years had not been kind. Peeling paint, rusted doors, and lacking basic sanitation had rendered it unfit for any activity. The community, struggling with scarce resources, had been unable to restore it.
However, As-Sura is not unique. Throughout the West Bank, children in many villages face a harsh reality with no place safe to play, meet friends, or enjoy moments of innocence.
The situation has only worsened since late 2023, as regional conflict and tensions increased. Schools are often closed, and there is a constant threat of violence. The crisis has escalated, leading to more checkpoints and increasing economic hardships. As a result, many children cannot leave their homes and are isolated from their friends. Being cut off from their social circles and regular activities, these children are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, and trauma, which can have long-lasting effects.
Recognizing this urgent need, World Vision made it a priority to create safe spaces for children and communities across the West Bank. In As-Sura, the transformation began with a dedicated group of volunteers and the village council. They, in partnership with World Vision, joined forces to rehabilitate the community center. Over several weeks, they repainted walls, installed new bathrooms, and added water tanks to supply clean drinking water.
The impact was immediate and profound. The revitalized center has quickly become a warm haven for the children of As-Sura, a place where they can meet, play, and reclaim moments of childhood. Soon after the center was rehabilitated, World Vision relaunched its Makani (“my place” in Arabic) club, offering 163 children, ages 6 to 12, an opportunity to gather, learn essential life skills, and be kids in a safe and normal space.
“I have made a lot of new friends, and I love coming here,” said 9-year-old Jumana, her face lighting up with joy.
In August 2024, the community center hosted one of the 61 summer camps organized by World Vision in the West Bank. Over nine days, 160 children in As-Sura, along with close to 10,000 others in camps throughout the West Bank, enjoyed various activities within a safe environment. Each day, they also took part in psychosocial support recreational activities, which were designed to reduce stress and tension through sports, arts, and playful interactions.
As-Sura’s story is just one example of World Vision’s broader efforts in the West Bank. Between October 2023 and August 2024, we built or renovated 26 safe spaces in the West Bank. We also offered mental health and psychosocial support programs in over 100 villages, supporting over 28,000 children and adults.
World Vision’s emergency response has impacted the lives of families in more than 155 villages across the West Bank, offering hope, healing, and an opportunity for children to reclaim precious moments that are childhood experiences. In places like As-Sura, these efforts are more than just a program — they are a lifeline.
