Life and Hope Association (LHA) marked the end of  CPP/ CRS and USAID's Youth Civic Participation Involvement Campaign through Volunteerism project by celebrating its achievements at a close-out ceremony.  The project was 12 months duration that to contribute in preparing youth to become informed and engaged responsible citizens to make positive impacts on their community. Through, given the youth the opportunity to be constructively involved in the civic participation and reinforce the principles of volunteerism as a part of civic participation.

This close-out Ceremony was held on April 12, 2012 at the Al Salam Restaurant, Gaza in the presence of distinguished guests of honors, Mr. Bassam Nasser, Gaza Field Manager of Catholic Relief Services CRS and USAID representative, Mrs. Feryal Sononou.

During the ceremony presentations were made focusing on major achievements and outcomes of the project: The project offered a great opportunity to open channels  to showcase the contribution of volunteers to society and encourage more people to volunteer between youth and youth, youth and  their local community  through volunteering activities. The project mobilized 50 young men and women as core volunteer and enhanced leadership and skills training and hands-on experience in solving social challenges. Furthermore, they executed initiative addressed one of youth challenges in Gaza, which is the danger of drugs taking, and drugs addiction, as well as they mobilized other 1200 youth volunteers to participate using their energy and creativity carried out voluntary activities in Gaza Northern Governorate such as beach clean-ups, distribution the gifts to sick children, public park clean-ups and helping farmers in farm their lands.

Finally, LHA announced the release of the its latest strategic plan: Strategy 2012 – 2014, and distribution the appreciation certificates among the core volunteers who fully engaged in the activities of the project.