Al-Qalam 
By Al-Qalam Correspondent
Salaam Foundation, a South African-based humanitarian and development agency, will be presenting “Echoes of Innocence” on December 1 in Johannesburg– a tribute by South African children with disabilities to the children of Gaza.
The organisation also runs an outdoor kitchen in Gaza called “Gaza’s Kitchen”.
“Children in Gaza have been at the receiving end of the worst atrocities carried out by the occupying Israeli military. Thousands of children in Gaza have been crippled by snipers and shrapnel as this savagery and bombardment continues unabated. They are being left without any resources to get help as hospitals and all places of safety have been destroyed, the charity said in a press statement.
“In order to keep the Palestinian cause and the children of Palestine at the front of our consciousness, the Salaam Foundation will be hosting this tribute by children with disabilities in South Africa. The day is about allowing marginalised people in society to express themselves on stage and speak up for the people of Palestine – giving hope to the people of Palestine from South Africa. For the past seven to eight months, Salaam Foundation has been running a kitchen in Gaza, providing much needed relief in the form of meals to the people existing in that area. The Gaza Kitchen has been serving thousands of people daily through the efforts of local volunteers as well as the continued support of Salaam Foundation and its donors”.
The “kitchen,” which was set up in March 2024, is located outside in the open, away from harm’s way and potentially unsafe buildings. It is basically a space on the streets where makeshift stoves have been set up using firewood and huge grills where massive pots are used to prepare the food. The first iteration of the kitchen was housed in a building and started in October 2023. However, the kitchen was moved outside when the building was destroyed in an Israeli bombing. In total, close to 20 000 family meals are prepared each month, providing a lifeline to Palestinians who are being denied their basic right to food during the ongoing genocide.
The #GazaKitchen project forms part of Salaam Foundation’s Palestine Response, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the genocide in October 2023, with the aim of assisting those suffering from the brutalities of the genocide.
The tribute will feature a diverse line-up of performances, including nasheeds, speeches, and heartfelt tributes to the resilience of Palestinian children. Special guest artists will join our young performers to create an unforgettable experience that resonates with audiences of all ages. In the foyer of the Wits Linder Auditorium, artwork and letters will be displayed from the children of South Africa to the children of Palestine. This event is not just a tribute; it is a call to action for everyone who believes in a Free Palestine.
The event on December 1 will take place at 2 p.m. at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. Tickets cost R200.
Please contact Fatima Moosa on 074 738 6376 for tickets or purchase online using the link below: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/287761-salaam-foundations-echoes-of-innocence-a-tribute-by-south-african-children-with/
