Supporting creative expression for displaced Palestinian children
The Royal Talens Foundation has provided art materials to the Palestine Humanitarian Response Centre (PHRC) for their upcoming Children's Hub in Cairo. This initiative aims to offer creative outlets and trauma relief to Palestinian children who have fled Gaza and currently lack access to formal education.
Addressing an educational gap
Since October 2023, an estimated 100,000 Palestinians have sought refuge in Egypt, including approximately 15,000 primary school-aged children. Many of these children face significant barriers to education, as they are not recognized as refugees by the UN refugee agency and lack the residency permits required for enrollment in Egyptian public schools. With families having lost everything, private education remains inaccessible, while distance learning options have proven challenging to implement effectively.
The children's hub initiative
The PHRC, in partnership with South African learning center Timbuktu in the Valley, is developing a community space in Cairo where displaced children can engage in creative activities. Set to launch in October 2024, the Children's Hub will serve an estimated 40 participants initially, with capacity to grow.
The space will offer both directed and self-directed activities including arts, dance, theater, and storytelling. These creative interventions, facilitated by mental health professionals and local artists, aim to provide structure, routine, and opportunities for social connection—all crucial elements for healthy development in children experiencing displacement and trauma.
Role of art materials
Royal Talens Foundation materials will be shipped directly to Cairo for use in the Children's Hub as soon as this is possible. These supplies will support artistic activities designed to help children process their experiences, express emotions, and regain a sense of normalcy in their disrupted lives.
About the Palestine Humanitarian Response Centre
The PHRC is a Netherlands-based non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and supporting vulnerable populations, particularly children, affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The organization focuses on providing trauma relief activities and mental health support to children impacted by conflict.
A child participating in a previous PHRC event reflected: "I'm here to enjoy myself and not feel sad. Because I now feel different than before. I made this drawing to think of things from the past."
For more information about the PHRC and the Children's Hub project, visit their website here. Also check this video from NOS about a kite event organized by PHRC in Gaza.
The Royal Talens Foundation continues to support projects that provide access to creative expression for those who need it most, regardless of their circumstances.
Supported projects
The Royal Talens Foundation has provided art materials to the Palestine Humanitarian Response Centre (PHRC) for their upcoming Children's Hub in Cairo. This initiative aims to offer creative outlets and trauma relief to Palestinian children who have fled Gaza and currently lack access to formal education.
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At the Royal Talens Foundation, we're delighted to share the impactful work of Villa Zapakara, a nonprofit organization in Suriname dedicated to enriching children's lives through educational and cultural programs. Their current initiative, running from August 2024 through December 2026, demonstrates how creative materials can play a vital role in connecting young people with their cultural heritage.
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The Royal Talens Foundation is proud to support Aisha & Friends in their meaningful work at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital's children's ward in Kenya. In October 2024, art supplies donated by the foundation brought creativity and joy to over 30 young patients and hospital staff.
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In a heartwarming collaboration this October, the Royal Talens Foundation provided art materials to Le Nid d'Artistes ("The Artist's Nest"), enabling 30 young artists to bring their imaginative worlds to life through creative workshops in Switzerland. The initiative specifically reached children from modest backgrounds, including young refugees from countries like Iran and Ukraine, who might otherwise not have access to quality art education.
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