SIDON, Lebanon: UNRWA’s summer recreation program for children, “Play and Learn,” is under way in the Mieh Mieh Palestinian refugee camp, despite the program’s cancelation at the at Ain al-Hilweh camp.

The Popular Committees of Sidon’s Ain al-Hilweh Camp decided to shut down the “Play and Learn” recreation program two weeks ago, welding shut the doors of the UNRWA schools that were set to host the camp. At the time, the committees said that the camp was funded by the U.S. and aimed at presenting a disingenuous version of Palestinian history.

But children from the Palestinian refugee camp of Mieh Mieh are gathering every day at Asqalan School for the program’s activities.

The children sketch maps of Palestine, draw pictures of Al-Aqsa Mosque and paint on pottery jars with the colors of the Palestinian flag.

To develop their knowledge of Palestine, they compete with each other to memorize the names of Palestinian villages, and learn about Palestinian culture by participating in traditional activities like the Dabkeh dance.

In the school’s artroom, a supervisor was encouraging children to hurry and finish their work. Abdullah Mahmoud Hussein, one of the children, said: “I’m here to express everything I love. I draw, run, and play with my friends and we spend lovely hours here.”

“I learn arts and crafts here and I’m glad that I’m gaining experience in my summer vacation. I sing, I draw and I meet new friends,” said Zeina Saidawi, another participant.

Some residents wondered aloud whether Palestinians from Ain al-Hilweh held different attitudes from themselves. “Why are the children of Mieh Mieh camp enjoying the summer program while those of Ain al-Hilweh camp are deprived of it?” one asked.

“It’s a sign of foolishness and a lack of understanding of things. Unfortunately, there are some who still have an old way of thinking that isn’t with the times,” another resident said. “If only those in charge of the Popular Committees would take a look at the program or ask the children about the drawings and activities that they do, then they would realize how wrong they are.”