Anthedon Park: From a neglected space to a safe park for children

Yalla Change youth revived Anthedon Park in the Al-Balkhiya neighborhood of Beach Camp

Yalla Change youth implemented the Anthedon Park initiative in the Al-Balkhiyeh neighborhood in the Beach Camp in Gaza City as they revived the park that was bombed and neglected for a long time and turned it into a colorful and safe space for the children of the neighborhood.

The initiative team held a meeting with the neighborhood residents to discuss their needs within this area with the aim of investing them in a way that serves the neighborhood. They later began coordinating with the Gaza municipality to obtain approval and consider the services that can be provided by the municipality for the initiative.

10 young men and women from the third season of Yalla Change participated in rehabilitating the space by painting walls, painting murals, recycling car tires and converting them into park benches. It was also nice to watch the children of the neighborhood spend quality time participating in coloring and decorating the park.

Youth also planted the park with trees and planted a large area of ​​it with lawn, to turn the place into a green space that would serve as an outlet for the people of the neighborhood and children to spend their spare time.

A resident of the neighborhood, Hashem Abu Jabal, confirmed that he lived in the place for a year and a half and the place was neglected, but after Yalla Change initiative, the place changed from an unsuitable area to a safe place for children to play.

The venue was opened with the participation of the residents of the neighborhood and the municipality of Gaza, and a number of games and recreational activities with children were implemented by Yalla Change youth.

It is worth noting that Anthedon Park initiative was one of the ideas of Yalla challenge in the third season of Yalla Change program in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid.