“Salem and the Smart Crayons” is a new story for children that aims at conveying some of the main protection from abuse concepts and skills to the children, using the characters of the story, which are the child Salem, and his crayons that ask him smart questions. The story conveys the concepts to the children in a smooth, and fun way that help them in understanding and practicing it. Reading the story to the children paves the road to a good communication between parents and their children to discuss this issue, where children can speak with their parents about things that might be difficult for them to share, or express.

Be-Free Program of Bahrain Women Association - for Human Development participated in mother and child exhibition that was held during the period 21-23 January, at Bahrain International Exhibition Center. The program’s corner was lively and active, with storytelling and mini-workshops. The storytelling was for the story “Salem and the smart crayons”, which is one of Be-Free new publications that stresses on some of the key protection from abuse concepts in a fun and interactive way.

In the framework of joint cooperation between governmental bodies and NGOs in serving the community, a booklet titled “Say No… to Cyberbullying” has been developed and published. It aims at increasing children and adolescents’ awareness about the effects of cyberbullying, and the problems it creates from difficult aspects, and how they can take a leadership role in combating cyberbullying. The booklet is a joint project between Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, that took it upon itself to protect the consumers and specially children and adolescents from the dangers of the internet and the new technologies through its program “Safe Internet”,

Be-Free Program and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, cooperated together to conduct a training program for the college students during February and March, to fulfill the requirements of the college’s “Community Outreach” program that the college provides in cooperation with local organizations. The training program aims at helping students to take role in increasing children’s awareness about essential concepts, such as respecting others, avoiding bullying and protecting themselves from it.

Be-Free and in cooperation with Artzania held an event titled “Say No… to Cyberbullying” in Ramli Mall, on Saturday 19th March. This event of raising awareness about cyberbullying comes in a time where cyberbullying is increasing among children and teenagers who use social media applications. A study conducted by Telecommunication Regulatory Authority about the children’s use of internet in Bahrain revealed that 37.9% of the children were cyberbullied, and that many children and teenagers do not know what cyberbullying is, nor how to deal with it.

Perhaps one of the significant challenges of parents with children younger than 8 years old is understanding what goes on in their minds on one hand, and how to teach them concepts on the other hand. Many parents feel confused as they repeat what they say to their children, and their children behave as if the conversation did not happen, so they repeat the action that their parents told them not to do, or do mistakes that children do not see as mistakes while parents see them as commonsense.

Be-Free Program conducted a summer program with a variety of workshops for children. The workshops for the month of July were titled “I’m an Influential Person” for the younger children, where they learned about the influential personality, and it is the personality that adopts Humanistic Values in life.

Be-Free Program of Bahrain Women Association - for Human Development, conducted an event “Differences are beautiful” among the activities of “Watermelon” festival in Saar Mall. Be-Free utilized the “Watermelon” theme to train children on concepts related to the respect of others, and humanitarian interaction with them, through mini-workshops,

To mark Teacher's Day, Bahrain Women Association - for Human Development lunched a media campaign that ignite teachers’ ideas and creativity to get reflected on their students. This impact will shine throughout their students’ lives, and will contribute in the formation of a homogeneous and enjoyable classroom environment. The presented ideas are easy to implement, cost-effective, and does not require any special materials.

From a pioneer project (Instilling Universal Knowledge) for educational institutions.

Be-Free Program Participates in the Children’s Marathon with Champions Academy

Be-Free Program of Bahrain Women Association for Human Development participated in the marathon conducted by Champions Academy for children up to 14 years old to celebrate the Universal Children’s Day, and the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. The marathon started in Dohat Arad Park on Friday 18th November.Be-Free participated with a storytelling corner for children, and the story was “Salem and the Smart Crayons” where children listened and interacted with the puppets show and learned to trust their feelings, how to deal with secrets, and not to ride with strangers.

Be-Free Program of Bahrain Women Association for Human Development held an awareness campaign called “Because I’m A Human Being” in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The campaign aimed at replacing the perspective of “Pity” towards persons with disabilities in which the disabled loses the chances to depend on himself within his possible capabilities, starts believing that he can't achieve and succeed, and deepens the feelings of weakness and low self-esteem, with the perspective of “Humanity” that helps him build faith in having a humanistic role in this world and seeks to understand and achieve it, directs his life towards his capabilities, his strength to develop, work and achieve with what suits him, tends to help others to overcome their challenges , becomes a more interactive member in the society, and becomes an example of hope and determination.