Elaine Mai, MayKay and Faye O’Rourke have collaborated with a number of young Palestinian refugees – Rand, Rawand, Reem, Sara, Omar, Ahmad and Qusai – who are currently living in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, in the Occupied West Bank of Palestine, to write and record the single ‘We Are’.

‘We Are’ is available to buy on Bandcamp and to stream from all major platforms – with all proceeds in aid of Lajee Center in Aida Refugee Camp. Alternatively you can donate directly here

“I’ve spent some time in the amazing Lajee Center in Aida Refugee Camp in the Occupied West Bank of Palestine. Despite the best efforts of the occupation forces to suppress, depress and break the spirits of the young people in the camp, they are made of resilience, joy, steeliness and humour.” explains MayKay.

“Working with this group of young people was the honour of a lifetime. When Elaine sent me some tracks to listen to from her new record it felt like a great opportunity to have their voices, their language, their strength, their joy and their power on a record being released in Ireland, that will hopefully echo throughout the forests and fields of festivals and clubs for years to come and remind us all what’s important in this world. I recorded them in the centre itself and honestly, they were unbelievably easy to work with, considering it was their first time writing lyrics and recording. There’s nothing they can’t do. I can’t wait to see them all again.” 

“Despite the relentless efforts of the occupation forces to silence and demoralize them, the voices of the children heard on ‘We Are’ are full of joy, resilience, and undeniable power. Every stream and purchase of the track goes directly to the Lajee Center, where these children live in the occupied West Bank of Palestine. Saoirse don Phalaistín.” adds Elaine Mai

“As the Israeli government continues it’s genocide against the Palestinian people, the voices of the children from the Lajee Centre stand as a powerful testament to their strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit. It’s a privilege to be a small part in amplifying their voices and sharing their message of hope with the world.”