“Together Towards Hope (T4H)”: A determined youth network in Gaza
Within the project of “Youth Networks Collaborating Toward Enhanced Education and Well-being of Children and Adolescents” implemented in partnership with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), and in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP), the Social Developmental Forum (SDF) has launched the “Together Towards Hope (T4H)” network, consisting of 20 young leaders (18 to 24 years) in the Gaza Strip, to implement a wide range of educational and well-being initiatives targeting children and adolescents all over Gaza. The network will soon expand to ultimately include 120 members, after a series of training sessions, meetings, and workshops.
T4H reflects SDF’s commitment to maintaining hope among youth and promoting their capacity as agents of change. Gazan youth (in the north and the south) have come together to maximize their impact.
An Intensive Training Program
After finalizing the onboarding process, including a call for applications and an Interview panel represented by SDF staff members and young professionals (to ensure selection based on commitment and distinct qualities), T4H members participated in an intensive 6-day training program to enhance their leadership and organizational skills. Afterward, Participants led peer workshops to transfer the knowledge and skills they gained to 100 young leaders, promoting knowledge exchange and amplifying community impact.
Following this, T4H conducted awareness sessions for girls on personal hygiene and protection from violence. Aiming to address well-being and education issues, T4H led various innovative community initiatives targeting children and adolescents.
Why T4H?
Amid the ongoing war and prolonged suffering, T4H aims to address a set of pressing challenges; empowering youth by strengthening their skills through comprehensive training programs, fostering their leadership agency, and enhancing education and well-being for children and adolescents through community-focused projects on education and health.
By providing specialized training for a large group of peers to transfer skills and knowledge to the wider community, T4H aims to develop youth leadership skills to raise awareness (through organizing initiatives and community dialogue) on critical topics, such as personal hygiene and protection from violence for girls and women. By implementing projects that address community needs and promote social progress, the network considers active involvement of the community.
Youth and practical training
The training includes several vital topics, leading community initiatives, peer collaboration skills, leading awareness and educational efforts, principles of humanitarian work, and response mechanisms for vulnerable groups in emergencies—additionally, ethics of working in emergencies, and essential life skills for working with children in crises.
We experienced five insightful training days; we learned how to plan, craft, and design community educational interventions and initiatives, standards of humanitarian work under these challenging circumstances, community leadership, and emergency planning. Despite the tough circumstances, we are committed to enhancing the well-being and education of displaced children.
Mai Afifi, T4H member
Despite challenging circumstances, T4H members actively engaged and participated in the program; they expressed their eagerness to learn and transfer these concepts to their peers to contribute to making a change.
