As part of my work as TYO’s Psychosocial Program Manager, I am often confronted with the challenges in our early childhood program of nightmares. Nightmares tend to peak around the ages of 3-6 years which is also the age when the brain is going through extensive fundamental development. At this age, children have not yet differentiated between realty and imagination. The child’s brain isn’t completely developed so it is unable to process extreme daily experiences such as beatings, traumas, and even death. Therefore all these experiences are stored in the child’s unconscious. The brain replays these experiences through dreams, so the child has bad dreams and nightmares. A nightmare is a reflection of the daily experiences with severe physical symptoms such as sweating, screaming, restlessness, and loss of control. The same dream is repeated over and over again.
Children in Palestine offer suffer from nightmares due to trauma.
Through my experience at TYO, I have found that the first time a child experiences nightmares, the parents are very concerned so they show sympathy and a lot of love and care. However, after continuous episodes of nightmares the parent stops taking these episodes seriously, shows less sympathy towards a child and thinks the child is just looking for attention.
After being invited to a training seminar regarding ‘Methodology and Experience of Trauma Education, Fighting Nightmares and Sleep Problems for Improved Education’ hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council, we learned about the interventions applied in Gaza. Children in Gaza experienced nightmares 5-7 days a week however after this holistic intervention, the nightmares decreased to 0-2 days a week. If a child is experiencing nightmares 5-7 days a week, his/her cognitive levels are less developed compared to the child without nightmares. The child is deprived of sleep, not engaging socially, and withdrawn from others hence their healthy growth and development is stagnant.
Children who have nightmares often do not ask their parents for help and never have conversations about their dreams and nightmares. This intervention encourages children to ask for help and to take control of their feelings and emotions.
In Palestine, we need to open the lines of communication between parents and children and we must empower children to take control of their emotions so they may grow in to healthy adults.
-Suhad
Suhad is TYO’s Psychosocial Program Manager
My name is Ayah Mufeed Jarra and I study English Literature at An-Najah National University. I worked with Relief International’s School on Line as an assistant and I was responsible for youth activities and supporting education initiatives for students who needed extra support in English, Arabic, and Math. I have volunteered with local organizations in Nablus and I was interested to volunteer with the YLC because it will help develop my skills in communication and leadership.
My name is Waleed Tamimi and I am a Business Administration student at An Najah National University in Nablus. I have been involved and volunteered with local and international youth organizations in Palestine and abroad such as the Palestinian Medical Relief Association, Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights and Tomorrows Youth Organization. My interests include politics, youth activism, and traveling. I believe YALLA will help me in the short and long term, applying what I am studying at the university and facilitating my contribution in building a new Palestinian youth who seek freedom and justice.
My name is Jamila Hanani and I am a third-year English Language and Literature student at An-Najah National University. I have been a volunteer at TYO since 2010. I have always liked voluntary work for being a double-win; for our society and community and also for ourselves. YLC is a great chance for me to cooperate with people who have the initiative to work in developing community projects and the opportunity to supervise them.
My name is Ahmad Khatib and I am from Jenin. I study Psychology at An Najah National University. I have been a TYO volunteer since 2009 and it has given me the opportunity to develop life skills. I am happy to have this chance to participate in making a positive change in the community.
My name is Roula Joudeh and I am studying Arabic An-Najah National University. Since 2009 I have volunteered at TYO in different classes such as health, art and at the homework help drop-in center. My experience at TYO taught me how to work positively with children, how to plan activities, and developed my professional skills and life skills. I am participating with the YLC because I want the chance to help the people of Nablus.
My name is Massa Al-Ahmad and I live in Jenin. I am studying English Language and Literature at An Najah National University. I worked as a volunteer with organizations such as PLO, PRCS, and Palestinian Medical Relief Committee. I have also taught kids, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen. I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of YLC. Besides working with other youth, it will allow me to develop my personal and professional skills.
My name is Mohammed Abulkibash and I am studying English Language and Literature at An Najah National University. My first experience in volunteerism was with the Palestinian Red Crescent society (PRCS) as a volunteer in the Psycho-Social Support program for three years. After that, I began volunteering with TYO and currently support TYO programs as a translator. I am in interested in the YLC because it will give me the opportunity to gain confidence and activate youth in our community.
My name is Loay Khaleel and I am currently earning my MA in Arabic at An Najah National University. My first experience in volunteerism was was with Palestinian Red Crescent society (PRCS) in 2000. After that, I joined TYO and I am very interested to participate with YLC because it will allow me to learn how to implement a sustainable project.
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