Various activities and campaigns were organized by GOPA-DERD’s team in most areas, in unification with several international days during the month of May.

At the beginning of the month and in celebration of International Workers’ Day, and in appreciation of their efforts, a number of janitors participated in a recreational activity entitled “Auspicious Blades” that was implemented by GOPA-DERD’s Community Center’s team in Al-Duwailah, Damascus. It included several recreational and singing sessions, and a video presentation about the spirit of work and acceptance of the other. With the aim of supporting people with thalassemia, and on the occasion of the International Day for this disease, GOPA-DERD’s Community Center’s team in Daraa implemented a blood donation campaign. In addition, an awareness session for the parents of children with this disease took place, to encourage and guide them on health care methods for patients. This took place in cooperation with UNHCR.

On the occasion of International Day of Living Together in Peace, GOPA-DERD’s “Dream” center’s team in Al-Hasakah implemented various activities for more than 50 children and women, in cooperation with IOCC.

In As-Suwayda, more than 20 women from different governorates accepted the invitation of GOPA-DERD’s “Beituna” Center’s team, to meet in the house of one of the women in the village of Atil in the countryside of the governorate, where the team implemented a set of recreational and singing activities to identify the common cultures and heritage between areas. The women also talked about the importance of peaceful coexistence, especially after their displacement from their towns of origin. In addition, a recreational activity for children was organized. This took place in cooperation with NCA.

In turn, our team in As-Suwayda organized a cultural and heritage exhibition on the occasion of the International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, that included many collection pieces and traditional costumes from all governorates, in cooperation with UNHCR. The exhibition opened with a shadow theatrical show to highlight on tangible and intangible heritage. The team also visited the house of a person interested in cultural diversity who has a rich collection from different cultures.

In Al-Hasakah, GOPA-DERD’s “Dream” center’s team implemented a dialogue session on different cultural levels, in cooperation with IOCC.

Throughout the month of May, and on occasion of Mental Health Awareness, and based on the slogan “You are not alone”, GOPA-DERD’s team presented comprehensive, varied and intensive activities in each of Rural Damascus, As-Suwayda, Daraa, Latakia, Hama, Homs and Deir Ezzor, where the activities focused on raising awareness of mental health issues, by organizing campaigns, recreational activities, theatrical performances, trainings to obtain sound mental health. This took place in cooperation with NCA, UNFPA, UNHCR, and Caritas Switzerland.