Humanitarian and Charitable Work of Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization From Community Service to International Humanitarian and Medical Action

Humanitarian and Charitable Work of Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization

From Community Service to International Humanitarian and Medical Action

“Bringing Smiles Back to Children”

Introduction

Humanitarian and charitable work has never been a marginal activity within the mission of Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization. Since its early years, it has represented one of the essential dimensions of the Organization’s social and voluntary mission.

Through its representatives, branches, teams, and local and international partners, the Organization has worked to reach vulnerable communities and people in need, particularly children, patients, orphans, families affected by difficult circumstances, and communities facing humanitarian challenges.

Its humanitarian work has taken different forms, including in-kind assistance, charitable and social activities, visits to schools and institutions in need, support for children and patients, and, eventually, the establishment of international medical partnerships and specialized surgical missions for children.

One of the most significant expressions of this humanitarian vision has been the initiative:

“Bringing Smiles Back to Children”

which became one of the Organization’s most prominent practical examples of humanitarian action.

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1. The Philosophy of Humanitarian Work at Hamsa

Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization approaches humanitarian work from a vision that places the human being at the heart of cultural and social engagement.

A child is not merely a recipient of material assistance. A child has the right to education, healthcare, safety, happiness, dignity, and hope.

For this reason, the Organization’s humanitarian work has extended beyond immediate material assistance to include psychological, social, and cultural support, as well as the development of partnerships capable of producing a more sustainable impact.

The Organization’s own institutional materials describe Hamsa as a cultural, social, charitable, educational, non-profit, and voluntary organization concerned with children, women, intercultural dialogue, and charitable activities. (hamsaat.co⁠)

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2. Humanitarian Assistance in Ain al-Hilweh Camp, Lebanon – 2017

Among the documented direct humanitarian initiatives of Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization was the provision of in-kind assistance to affected families in Ain al-Hilweh Camp in Sidon, southern Lebanon, in May 2017.

The assistance included:

• Mattresses.

• Blankets and bedding.

• Food parcels.

• Water tanks.

The initiative was part of the Organization’s humanitarian and voluntary work in support of people affected by difficult living conditions in the camp. (hamsaat.co⁠)

This initiative is significant because it demonstrates that Hamsa’s humanitarian engagement was not limited to Palestine, but also extended to Palestinian refugee communities and vulnerable populations in the region.

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3. Al-Bashaer School in Jenin Camp, Palestine – 2018

In December 2018, Ms. Ibtisam Abu Wasel Mahamid, Director of Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa in the Palestinian territories, visited Al-Bashaer School in Jenin Camp as part of humanitarian and charitable work.

She was accompanied by poet Kamel Al-Noursi.

The visit highlighted the difficult conditions faced by the school, which served approximately 300 students and lacked adequate facilities, including heating and suitable furniture. The school also faced overcrowded classrooms and structural limitations. (hamsaat.co⁠)

The visit reflected the Organization’s interest, through its representatives, in the educational and social needs of children and in connecting humanitarian work with institutions serving young people.

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4. Charitable Ramadan Iftar – Ramallah and Al-Bireh, 2018

On 6 June 2018, Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization organized a charitable Ramadan Iftar in Ramallah and Al-Bireh, at the hall of Al-Lydd Charitable Society in Umm Al-Sharayet, Al-Bireh.

Approximately 350 people attended, including:

• Orphaned children and their mothers.

• Children of prisoners.

• Children of martyrs.

• Community and social representatives.

• Representatives of the Organization.

• Donors from Palestinian communities abroad.

The event was prepared by Hamsa representatives in cooperation with Al-Lydd Charitable Society. It included artistic, literary, and recreational activities, as well as the distribution of toys to children. (hamsaat.co⁠)

The event represents a clear example of direct charitable action combining social solidarity with efforts to bring joy to children and families in need.

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5. Supporting Sick Children and Restoring Joy

Through its representatives and partners, the Organization has paid particular attention to children facing difficult health conditions.

In Gaza, Hamsa representatives participated in humanitarian activities for sick children, including an initiative in Rafah involving children with kidney disease.

As part of the activity, artist Walaa Al-Sisi used painting and artistic expressions on the children’s faces to create moments of happiness and emotional relief.

The activity was carried out through Hamsa representatives in cooperation with Joud Charitable Society. (hamsaat.co⁠)

The Organization also documented humanitarian activities involving children with cancer in Gaza as early as 2016, reflecting the continuing attention given to the health, emotional, and humanitarian needs of children. (hamsaat.co⁠)

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6. Humanitarian Convoys and Initiatives in Gaza

Through its representatives, Hamsa participated in and followed a number of humanitarian initiatives directed toward the people of Gaza.

Among these was the “Miles of Smiles” convoy, which reached Gaza and included visits, meetings, and humanitarian assistance for people in need, particularly persons with disabilities.

Hamsa documented the humanitarian mission of the convoy in July 2019. (hamsaat.co⁠)

These activities demonstrate the continuing humanitarian presence of Hamsa through its representatives and partners in Palestine.

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7. The Transition to International Medical Humanitarian Action

The year 2022 marked a significant transformation in the Organization’s humanitarian work.

On 24 March 2022, Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization signed a cooperation and understanding protocol with the Italian medical humanitarian organization Emergenza Sorrisi.

Emergenza Sorrisi works in the field of healthcare and humanitarian assistance, with particular attention to children suffering from congenital conditions, facial deformities, burns, war-related trauma, eye diseases, and other medical conditions. (hamsaat.co⁠)

The cooperation was established around a shared humanitarian objective:

Restoring smiles to children and giving them the opportunity for a better life.

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8. The International Medical Campaign for Children

Institutional documentation published by Hamsa describes a voluntary medical campaign for smiling children, indicating that the campaign provided humanitarian medical assistance to children in 33 countries who suffered from congenital deformities and whose families could not afford the high cost of treatment. (hamsaat.co⁠)

This places the Palestine initiative within a broader international humanitarian medical program, rather than treating it as an isolated project.

Palestine became one of the locations where this international medical campaign was implemented in cooperation with the Italian medical team.

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9. “Bringing Smiles Back to Children” – Palestine, 2022

In November 2022, Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization sent a delegation to Palestine to receive the Italian medical team from Emergenza Sorrisi.

The Hamsa delegation included:

• Engineer Abdul Hafiz Agbaria.

• Dr. Fatma Abu Wasel Agbaria.

• Ms. Kifah Zahalka.

The initiative was implemented in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, with support from the Ministry of Social Development.

The objective was to perform specialized surgical procedures for children born with congenital conditions and eye-related medical problems, while also training Palestinian doctors in postoperative follow-up. (hamsaat.co⁠)

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10. Medical Implementation at Palestine Medical Complex

The campaign began on 21 November 2022 at the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah.

Hamsa, through its representatives and in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, participated in receiving the medical delegation and following the implementation of the medical procedures.

The Palestinian Minister of Health praised the efforts made by Dr. Fatma Abu Wasel Agbaria to bring the Italian medical delegation to Palestine and noted the extensive efforts made by Hamsa and Emergenza Sorrisi to make the mission possible. (hamsaat.co⁠)

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11. Children Benefiting from the Medical Mission

The medical team received 50 children awaiting medical assessment, including children suffering from cleft lip and palate and eye-related conditions.

The first day was dedicated to medical examinations, followed by surgical interventions for 38 children.

Approximately 250 additional children were placed on a waiting list for subsequent stages, demonstrating the scale of the need for specialized pediatric medical care. (hamsaat.co⁠)

These figures demonstrate that the initiative responded to a genuine medical need rather than serving as a symbolic humanitarian activity.

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12. Eye Surgery and Specialized Care

The medical mission was not limited to cleft lip and palate procedures.

Hamsa representatives and the Italian medical delegation also visited the Eye Hospital in Ramallah, where an Italian ophthalmology specialist performed procedures in cooperation with Palestinian medical staff. (hamsaat.co⁠)

The initiative therefore extended into specialized pediatric ophthalmic care alongside other surgical interventions.

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13. Training and Transfer of Medical Expertise

One of the most important elements of the initiative was that the medical mission was not limited to performing surgeries.

The program also included training for Palestinian medical professionals and the transfer of specialized knowledge and experience, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of local medical teams to follow patients and provide continuing care.

Training and knowledge transfer formed an essential part of the cooperation alongside surgical treatment. (hamsaat.co⁠)

This transformed the initiative from short-term medical assistance into an effort that also contributed to local healthcare capacity building.

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14. International Media Coverage

The initiative received international media attention.

In December 2022, Hamsa documented Italian television coverage of the medical mission at the Ramallah government hospital.

The coverage highlighted the medical work carried out through cooperation between the Italian medical delegation, Palestinian health authorities, and Hamsa. (hamsaat.co⁠)

This helped communicate the humanitarian dimension of the initiative to an international audience.

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15. Renewal of the Cooperation Agreement – 2023

On 24 March 2023, Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization and Emergenza Sorrisi renewed their cooperation agreement for the second time in order to continue the project:

“Bringing Smiles Back to Children in Palestine”

The renewal followed the positive results achieved during the previous phase and reflected the voluntary efforts of both organizations and their cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Health. (hamsaat.co⁠)

The renewal confirmed that the initiative was not a one-time campaign, but an ongoing humanitarian and medical partnership.

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16. Humanitarian Work Through Hamsa’s Representatives

As an international organization, Hamsa’s humanitarian work relies on representatives, branches, teams, and partnerships in different countries.

Through these representatives, the Organization is able to identify local needs, develop partnerships, coordinate initiatives, and connect local communities with international expertise and resources.

This model is clearly reflected in Hamsa’s humanitarian activities in Palestine and Lebanon, as well as in its medical cooperation with international partners in Europe.

The organizational model can therefore be summarized as:

Organization → Representatives → Local Partners → International Partners → Beneficiaries

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17. The International Dimension of Hamsa’s Humanitarian Work

The Organization’s experience demonstrates three interconnected levels of humanitarian action:

First: Direct Relief and Assistance

Including food, clothing, blankets, water supplies, gifts, and support for families and vulnerable communities.

Second: Social and Psychological Support

Including activities for sick children and orphans and initiatives designed to restore joy, confidence, and emotional well-being.

Third: Medical Action and Capacity Building

Including specialized surgery, medical training, transfer of expertise, and international humanitarian partnerships.

Through these three levels, Hamsa seeks to move from relieving immediate suffering toward strengthening the capacity to address long-term needs.

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18. The Humanitarian Meaning of “Bringing Smiles Back”

The phrase:

“Bringing Smiles Back to Children”

has become an expression of a broader humanitarian vision within the Organization.

A smile represents more than an emotional response. It can symbolize:

• Restored health.

• Renewed self-confidence.

• Relief from pain.

• Support for families.

• Protection of children’s dignity.

• Hope for the future.

• A return to a more normal childhood.

For this reason, Hamsa’s humanitarian work is measured not only by the number of donations or medical procedures, but also by the lasting impact on the lives of people and communities.

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Conclusion

From Giving to Impact

The humanitarian and charitable journey of Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization demonstrates a clear development from community-based initiatives and direct assistance to international humanitarian and medical partnerships.

In Lebanon, the Organization provided material assistance to affected families in Ain al-Hilweh Camp.

In Palestine, through its representatives, it supported children and vulnerable communities, organized charitable activities in Ramallah and Al-Bireh, and participated in humanitarian initiatives serving children and patients.

The Organization then entered a more specialized phase through its partnership with Emergenza Sorrisi, developing an international voluntary medical campaign for children and implementing:

“Bringing Smiles Back to Children”

in Palestine.

During the medical mission, dozens of children received medical examinations and surgical interventions, hundreds were placed on waiting lists for subsequent stages, and Palestinian medical professionals benefited from training and knowledge transfer.

According to the Organization’s published documentation, the initiative formed part of a broader medical humanitarian campaign that reached children in 33 countries who required specialized treatment and whose families could not afford its high costs. (hamsaat.co⁠)

The humanitarian journey of Hamsa therefore represents a bridge between:

Culture and humanity,

knowledge and giving,

international cooperation and social responsibility,

voluntary action and sustainable impact.

If conferences, books, educational programs, and cultural initiatives contribute to building human beings intellectually and culturally, humanitarian action seeks to protect and support them in moments of vulnerability and need.

For this reason, Hamsa Sama Al-Thaqafa International Organization continues to pursue a mission:

To make culture a path toward humanity, cooperation a means of giving, and a child’s smile one of the most beautiful expressions of hope and peace.