In the Holy Land, children are at the center of many of our projects. In a context marked by conflicts and difficulties, our commitment is to guarantee them a future of dignity, where education, psychological support and serenity can accompany them in their growth.
Investing in their well-being today means building a solid foundation for the future of these lands and the people who will live there. Because every child we help today contributes to shaping a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
Palestine
In Palestine, our commitment to taking care of children, their needs and their physical and mental health is divided into numerous activities and projects, also conducted in collaboration with some local realities.
We promote the integration of children belonging to different cultural and religious communities, through collective activities that also bring them closer to the protection of the artistic and natural heritage of their country:
- field visits to discover places of historical and artistic interest;
- artistic activities that give voice to their emotions and dreams;
- sharing experiences such as cooking and eating all together.
We provide this type of support to children in collaboration with local various realities.
The Casa del Fanciullo, inaugurated in September 2007, has welcomed hundreds of children and teenagers coming from difficult backgrounds. Their families are often unable or lack the material means to take care of them, and this frequently results in violent home environments or situations deeply affected by economic hardship.
At the Casa, these young people find a supportive environment: from help with schoolwork and financial assistance to purchase school materials, to play areas and team sports, and even psychological support provided by social workers.
The Hogar Niño Dios is a center specialized in rehabilitation and healthcare activities. It welcomes children affected by severe physical disabilities, who are often seen as a burden by their families and communities because of their condition.
Many of them have suffered from violence and abandonment, and imagining a future without practical and continuous support would be impossible. At the Hogar, thanks to the specialized staff and facilities — including a swimming pool opened last year — specific therapies are accompanied by warmth, affection, and a deep attention to the children’s well-being and serenity.
In Sebastia training sessions for the children of Sebastia now take place in a school, after violence made the old public field unsafe. On a simple asphalt court, the young football players play with enthusiasm and pride, wearing jerseys with the logos of Pro Terra Sancta and the Mosaic Center as if they were part of famous teams.
In the stands, other children cheer passionately, curious and happy to share a moment of normal life. In this isolated and fragile place, football becomes a symbol of hope and serenity — a small island of joy surrounded by an environment marked by violence and fear.
Syria and Lebanon
Since 2018, the Franciscan Care Center has been offering psychological and rehabilitative support to children affected by war, helping them rebuild their futures. At the Terra Santa College, courses in art, sports, music, and languages are offered, along with therapies such as art therapy and music therapy.
The center assists around 700 children, and during the earthquake emergency, it supported more than 5,000 people. The commitment also extends to East Aleppo, where three centers welcome 4,000 children and over 2,000 women, as well as to Damascus, Beirut, and Hama, where new training and rehabilitation spaces have been opened for the youngest.
