In 2007, Patrick McGrann, an American who now lives in Gaza, started a non-profit toy company named Kitegang to help kids fly kites in refugee neighborhoods in Gaza and Jordan.
According to McGrann, he's trying to bring help to kids --- with far too much time, far too much stress -- in the windiest place on Earth.
McGrann is aware he can't fix all of the world's problems, but he said sometimes toys are "just what the doctor ordered."
Kitegang operates several manufacturing centers mainly in refugee communities. For example in Jordan, a group of Iraqi refugees, who have fled the insecurity of their own country, designs, then manufactures kites, skateboards and yo-yos for children in Sudan, Gaza and Somalia among other places.
The materials and shipping are funded by individual donations and occasional contributions from nongovernmental organizations.
Quotes
"We couldn't solve all the problems. We can't solve all the hunger. We can't solve all the medical issues, but we can provide kites." - Patrick McGrann, Kitegang.
Warm Up Questions
1. Where is Afghanistan? What do you know about this country?
2. What are some issues children face during a war?
3. Why is it important to play and have fun?
Discussion Questions
1. What did you learn from this video?
2. How did the kite program affect the Afghan kids?
3. Why is important for Americans to get a sense of how young people in other parts of the world live?
4. How can you help your peers in developing countries?
Additional Resources
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Delivering Healthy Eats to Nashville Neighborhoods
