Sandbag Pools Offer Brief Respite on Gaza Coast
Swimming classes have resumed along the Gaza seafront after three years of war, offering a brief respite for children living amid ongoing military operations and severe deprivation.
Organized by instructor Amjed Tantesh, the makeshift initiative provides swimming lessons to hundreds of children using five temporary sea pools constructed from sandbags and rubble.
Learning to Float Amid Ongoing Military Operations
The program offers boys and girls a rare opportunity to learn how to float, practice the doggy paddle, and take their initial strokes in the sea.
For a few hours each day, the activity allows participants to experience a semblance of childhood in an environment stripped of formal education, playgrounds, and normal daily routines.
Overwhelming Psychological Distress Among Gaza Minors
The establishment of these makeshift pools comes amid widespread psychological distress among minors in the territory.
According to a United Nations survey published in March, 96 percent of children in Gaza reported feeling that death was imminent due to the ongoing conflict.
Daily Hazards and Improvised Coastal Relief
Classes continue along the coastline as participants navigate the daily hazards of the region.
They utilize the improvised coastal pools for brief intervals of physical activity and relief from the persistent tension of the war.
