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.
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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.