Watch: The circus team spreading Ramadan joy in Gaza

euronews (in English)

The Holy month of Ramadan is a time of reflection, community, and giving, but for a group of circus enthusiasts, it's also a time to bring joy to Gazan children.

Transcript

00:00During the war, I met a lot of children in the refugee camps.

00:07They asked me what I was going to do.

00:10We didn't know what to do.

00:12But we used to see the faces of the children.

00:14We used to see them crying.

00:16We couldn't deal with them because of the violence.

00:19But we were able to get a picture of them getting out of the violence.

00:24We plan for Ramadan to get rid of the negative energy.

00:29But we can't do anything about it.

00:31The child is tired.

00:33The child should be a king.

00:36We can't do anything about it.

00:38We learned to save them.

00:40So that we can get this picture.

00:43I'm Youssef Hadar, founder of Sarkaz Al-Qar.

00:48Sarkaz Al-Qar

00:56In 2018, we started the Sarkaz Al-Qar center.

01:02We tried to create ideas.

01:04We learned online from some friends abroad.

01:09They gave us experiences on how to deal with children in surfing.

01:15They gave us an example.

01:17We wanted to have a clear picture.

01:20Through playing, we planted a smile in the children's hearts.

01:24Or in the faces of the children.

01:26We had a social environment that helped us.

01:29Because of the siege.

01:31Because of the economic problems.

01:33Because of the wars.

01:35Through the social circle.

01:37He was a strong person.

01:39We taught him how to play.

01:42We gave him some tools.

01:44We gave him personal support.

01:46We welcomed a group of children.

01:49Depending on the age.

01:51We had a group.

01:53Beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

01:59In the beginning, we relied on our hands.

02:02We used our strength.

02:04We brought sticks and sticks.

02:06We worked with our hands.

02:08We were able to get the tools for surfing.

02:11Because of the war.

02:13We lost our fatigue.

02:16We train them through the social circle.

02:19When we deal with children.

02:22We deal with them through playing.

02:25So we can give them a clear picture.

02:29I have been participating for a year.

02:32In the surfing center in Gaza.

02:35I am very happy.

02:38I love playing surfing.

02:41Before I started playing.

02:43I didn't feel like I was making progress.

02:46I didn't feel like I was doing anything.

02:48When I started playing.

02:50I felt like I was making progress.

02:52I felt like I was doing something new.

02:54I felt like I was using my skills.

02:56And I was making progress.

02:59When we first started playing.

03:02It was a personal effort.

03:05Most of it was a personal effort.

03:07We had specialties.

03:09Our first speciality was playing soccer.

03:14We had clowns.

03:18We used to deal with clowns.

03:21The clown would give the children a picture.

03:24Through playing with them.

03:28The show would last an hour.

03:31Even if the children didn't show up.

03:33They would be excited to see something new.

03:36I used to deal with clowns the most.

03:41Because they are the most difficult thing.

03:44And the most difficult thing to deal with.

03:46Through playing with clowns.

03:52In Ramadan.

03:54When you are fasting for half of the day.

03:57You laugh at yourself.

03:59And you feel tired.

04:01Of course, with this destruction.

04:03You will feel tired.

04:05Because you see destruction.

04:07You see ruin.

04:09So when entertainment comes.

04:11In Ramadan.

04:13It will change the child's mentality.

04:15His mentality will change.

04:17His life will change.

04:19The gathering will be nice.

04:22In Ramadan.

04:24It will be different.

04:26I have the smile of a child.

04:29When you are sad.

04:31He comes to you.

04:33He smiles and laughs.

04:35It gives you positive energy.

04:37And it is a good thing.

04:41The future of the children of Gaza.

04:43This situation is difficult.

04:45Because there are no schools.

04:47There are no schools to teach them.

04:49They live in the middle of the numbers.

04:51There are a lot of shocks in the war.

04:53Most of them live without school.

04:55They live without school.

04:57It is a big thing.

04:59Especially at this time.

05:01Because you see destruction.

05:03Everything around us is destroyed.

05:05They need a lot of entertainment.

05:07To change the atmosphere.

05:09To change the mentality.

05:13The goals we want to achieve.

05:15It is difficult.

05:18But we are determined.

05:20We have to reach the goal we want.

05:22To build a steel factory.

05:24In a big way.

05:27We want to reach the goal.

05:29To spread culture.

05:31In the biggest way possible.

05:33In Gaza.

05:35We want to reach a period of peace.

05:37And tranquility.

05:39And to live in a healthy environment.

05:41We have seen a lot of disasters.

05:43A lot of wars.

05:45It is a shame.

05:49But we did it.

05:51We achieved a lot.

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