More than a place to play: how a playground gave a community an inclusive space to come together

In the peaceful hills of Al-Rawaeen, a quiet village nestled in the Bethlehem governorate of the southern West Bank, life used to be lonely for eleven-year-old Salem*. While other children laughed, ran, and played, Salem remained on the sidelines—watching, wishing, and waiting.

Born with a physical disability that left one of his legs shorter than the other, along with a speech difficulty that made it hard to express himself, Salem* was often left out of games, gatherings, and friendships. His afternoons were usually spent alone, lingering near his home while other children played freely in the streets and hills surrounding the village.

For Palestinian children, play has become more than just fun—it’s a lifeline. Since early 2022, violence in the region has escalated sharply, with the situation worsening significantly after October 2023. School closures, restricted movement, and a deepening economic crisis have placed children under chronic stress, threatening long-term impacts on their mental health. In a recent survey by World Vision, 27% of households reported that at least one child had developed new behavioural issues—such as acting out or regressing—since October 2023. With few families able to access mental health or psychosocial support, peer interaction often becomes the only relief from anxiety and distress.

Yet in villages like Al-Rawaeen, safe places for children to meet and play are almost non-existent. “In the village, children were forced to play in the streets, where they faced constant threats—speeding vehicles, venomous snakes and scorpions, and even violence. Al-Rawaeen is a remote area, far from health clinics and emergency services and several children died following accidents” says Odai*, the school principal. For Salem*, this meant little opportunity to connect with other children who would play in places that were either unsafe or inaccessible for a child with a disability.

But in May 2025, a small change was going to make a big difference.

A forgotten and crumbling patch of land on the grounds of Al-Rawaeen School—serving the Al-Rashaida Bedouin community—was given new life through a World Vision child-focused rehabilitation project funded b y the Irish Emergency Alliance. The once-neglected space was transformed into a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming playground. Cracked surfaces were replaced with soft, safe flooring. New swings and slides gleamed under shaded canopies. Benches offered rest for caregivers, and wide-open areas invited children of all abilities to run, imagine, and belong.

For Salem*, it was nothing short of magic.

“I go every day now,” he says with a bright smile, his eyes lighting up as he talks about his favourite spot—the swing. “They’re easy for me to use, and I love calling my friends to come play with me.”

“It used to break my heard to see my son retreat inward. Now he is filled with energy and hope” says Maysa*, his mother. “It has given Salem* a confidence-boost. He has become more expressive and eager to engage with his classmates” says Odai*.

But beyond Salem*, the park has also changed the way the community meet and come together in the village. “The benches have drawn mothers and families, who now bring their children to play, watch over them, and engage in quality time together, something previously unseen. The playground also included empty planting beds. Villagers and school staff came together and planted trees and flowers. It created a sense of ownership. So in a sense, this playground is more than a place to play—it has become the centre of our community” says Odai*.

* Names have been changed.