São Paulo – A group of 13,000 children flew kites in Gaza, Palestine this Thursday (28th) to break the kite-flying world record. According to information published on the United Nations (UN) website, the action was held in spite of an attack to the UN summer camp in the country, where children’s games were being played. The previous world kite-flying record had been set by Chinese children: 10,465.
“Surpassing China is a difficult feat to the Gaza children,” said the acting director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza, Christer Nordahl. “We brought happiness to our country by breaking the world record,” said Nadia el-Haddad, aged 13. ““Today because we broke the world record I feel like I have rights and that I’m like everyone else in the world.”
“I’m happy when I’m flying the kites. We are the best!,” celebrated 11-year old Abdullah Musleh. “I made my kite the Palestinian flag and when I fly it I feel like I’m raising my country and my flag up, up in the sky,” said Rawia Abd el-Dain, another 11 year old. The action was organized during the UNRWA Summer Games, attended by 250,000 children.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
