Anar’s Programs

To best serve Palestinian children and their caregivers and communities, Anar focuses its work in three main areas:

Community-Based Psychosocial Support (CBPSS)

This program provides community-based psychosocial support and capacity building to children, youth, and communities affected by violence and oppression. It is specifically designed to address the needs of those who have suffered from traumatic events and experiences and to help them rebuild their lives. Through CBPSS, Anar seeks to enhance the coping mechanisms of communities, increase their resilience, and lower their distress levels.

Anar’s approach focuses on enhancing the capacity and capabilities of existing community-based organizations and leaders in the fields of CBPSS, child protection, and emergency preparedness. This includes establishing emergency response self-help hubs within communities to promote community ownership and strengthen child protection and preparedness measures. Anar conducts training sessions for community-based organizations to support their capacity-building initiatives and empower them to take prompt action. As a result, community leaders are equipped to provide immediate assistance to children and caregivers in need of psychosocial support.

“Shababeek” Children & Youth Mentorship Program

This mentorship program empowers children and youth aged 15 to 29 to develop their leadership skills and serve their communities through their own psychosocial support training. Youth follow a training curriculum that includes leadership skills, life skills, community development and mobilization, advocacy, and psychosocial support.

Anar supports children and youth to heal and grow by taking on active roles as leaders and catalysts in their own communities. They learn to organize youth-led initiatives and campaigns to raise awareness among community leaders about their own needs.

“Shababeek” means windows in Arabic. This program opens a window for young people experiencing oppression so that they can breathe fresh air and view life from a new angle as they step into their roles as leaders.

“Makan” Program

This program is designed to facilitate the healing process of children through a playful, creative, and artistic journey that nurtures their imagination, enhances their coping mechanisms, and allows for self-expression.

Children explore art, theatre, and dance as tools for reflection and expression to overcome the challenges of oppression. Anar engages children and their communities in practices of hope through various forms of play and creative expression.

“Makan” means place or space in Arabic. This program provides space for children to center their own emotional growth and heal through the beauty of art.

  • "I leave the sessions feeling happy and excited to share with my mom what I've learned. I've learned how to express my feelings without fear."

    — Participant, Child


  • "I learned how to take care of myself so that I could better take care of my children. Living in very difficult circumstances made parenting challenging, but through participating in Anar's caregiver counseling groups, I learned how to cope."

    — Caregiver, 42 years old

  • "This project has given me friends I imagine will last a lifetime. I have formed 'sisterly' bonds—some very close, others with whom I have beautiful friendships."

    —Clauda Babish, Participant & Clinical Psychologist