The Youth Development Association implemented an initiative entitled **“Safe Space: Me and My Feelings”** at Al-Baraka Al-Jaza’iriya Camp in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, targeting children and adolescents aged 10 to 15.

The initiative aimed to provide a safe and supportive space that helps participants recognize, understand, and express their emotions in positive and safe ways, while also strengthening their skills in coping with stress and difficult situations they may encounter in their daily lives.

The initiative included a variety of interactive activities that gave children and adolescents the opportunity to express their feelings through drawing and creative activities, along with simple breathing and relaxation exercises, as well as movement-based and interactive games that helped create a positive atmosphere and encouraged participation and communication among the children.

The activities also addressed how to deal with difficult situations and choose safer responses, while introducing participants to the importance of seeking help and identifying trusted people and sources of support they can turn to when they feel they need assistance.

The initiative contributed to introducing participants to simple techniques for calming themselves and coping with stress, while also strengthening their awareness of the importance of expressing emotions rather than keeping them inside, and encouraging them to seek support and assistance from trusted individuals when needed.

The **“Safe Space: Me and My Feelings”** initiative is part of the community-based activities implemented by the Youth Development Association across the Gaza Strip, aimed at providing positive and safe spaces for children and adolescents and strengthening their skills in expression, communication, and coping with the pressures and challenges they face under the current circumstances.