Connecting Children of Gaza and the West Bank with Children in Europe

We are not powerless in the face of the unfolding tragedy in the Middle East.

Today, we can choose to act — for the children of Gaza and the West Bank.

Our goal?

To connect children aged 5 to 10 - directly and personally - through letters, drawings, and virtual exchanges when needed. 

And beyond that, we will ensure that those who wish to continue their bond can do so for years to come.

Why are we doing this?

• Because every child deserves a friend - someone from another world, another life, to open their imagination and understanding.
• Because when a child in Gaza or the West Bank has a friend abroad, their parents, too, become engaged - discovering a new world through their child’s eyes and conversations that reach beyond conflict.
• Because schools have a vital role to play in teaching empathy, global solidarity, and the richness of other cultures.
• Because for Palestinian children, this creates a rare and precious opening to the outside world - a personal lifeline that offers hope and connection amidst hardship.
• Because this initiative is independent of religion, politics, or economic interests. It is built solely on the bonds between children - who are, after all, the future.
• Because no matter their nationality or faith, children deserve a chance to grow beyond the trauma of war.
   

The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with parent associations and schools. It is inspired by a similar project launched in 1996 between French and Gazan schoolchildren, then known as “L’un pour l’autre” (“One for the Other”).

Participation will be offered to children in European schools who wish to engage in a pen-pal exchange. All letters will be collected and carefully translated into the recipient’s language - in both directions. Each piece of correspondence will be reviewed to ensure it remains free from political, religious, or other inappropriate content.

Initially, letters will be sent virtually. As soon as possible, they will be physically delivered by the association’s logistics team and distributed to designated centers. Letters sent in return will follow the same process: reviewed, translated, and shared with the original senders.

The first exchange - ideally a handwritten note or postcard with a photo of the sender - will be scanned and transmitted digitally. Depending on the context, future correspondence may continue either through physical mail or digital communication. However, we believe it is essential that the first exchange be made on paper, to build a tangible and meaningful connection from the very beginning.