Starting in 1992 at Gaza, the Holland Office for Personal Encouragement (HOPE) Foundation was founded in 1996 (NL04058566) to “enhance the well-being (as per Human Rights Statement) of, in particular mentally, emotionally, physically, and socially challenged refugees in the Middle East through working with culture and the arts, in close collaboration with regional and local institutions”.

For 30 years HOPE foundation has touched the lives of thousands of people every year. Refugees are often numbed and see little purpose in life. We aim to adjust reactions by offering classes in the arts and culture at the Open Studio, during summer camps and via our online platform BeeHome Academy. The arts activate the imagination and sharpen the mind, creating the conditions that lead to increased self-respect and self-confidence. This helps people in making positive, life changing choices. The HOPE Foundation encourages parents and volunteers to participate. 

The 12 teachers at Gaza Open Studio host upto 350 children per workday. In 2019 a Saturday Academy was started through crowd funding to also provide support during the weekends.
Many hundreds of children join summer camps where they shape their imagination using both traditional techniques and recycled digital working methods. They work on designing games, learning Dabke dancing, breakdancing, graffiti, shadow and puppet theatre, painting, drawing, sculpture and film.
At BeeHome children learn virtually through arts and games. It offers a continuously growing collection of films, made by children, which are visualizations of local traditional stories. 

Our work has been possible only through formal collaboration with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Dutch Red Cross, local art institutions, the passionate work of many volunteers, ongoing funding by state, private charities and people in many countries. We welcome any private and or corporate funding, see our webpage or contact Info@HOPE-foundation.nl

HOPE Foundation NL

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