Al Aqaba Kindergarten: Haj Sami's Dreams Made Real

Thank you for supporting Al Haq Kindergarten. Because of you, the kindergarten continues to provide quality education to children of Al Aqaba Village and nearby areas.

At the start of the academic year, the kindergarten enrolled 85 children from the villages of Tubas, Tayasir, and Al Aqaba. However, the kindergarten director, Rawhea, expressed concerns about potentially losing many of these students due to the difficult conditions in the West Bank and the war in Gaza. Parents faced challenges paying tuition fees, and the kindergarten struggled to keep its doors open.

Despite these circumstances, the kindergarten did not fail to provide educational and recreational activities to the children.

• The kindergarten offered Math and Arabic lessons.
• Special attention was given to children with learning and pronunciation difficulties. Words were repeated several times to help them pronounce correctly. Some children were referred to speech centers when necessary.
• Children were given numerous opportunities for games and activities, such as drama, music, and songs.
• A breakfast program was introduced that delighted the children and parents alike.
• New school bags were provided to children who did not have proper bags.
• A field trip to a local dairy factory was organized for the children.
• Children visit the Ibn Rushd Library every week to enjoy the storytelling sessions.
• A special session was convened with doctors to address the health and hygiene of children. The doctors examined the children and provided appropriate footwear to those with flatfoot.
• Children learned about traffic rules with the assistance of the local police. This initiative helped alleviate children's fear of the police while educating them about rules.

With your support, we were able to provide financial assistance to the kindergarten to help cover the salaries of teachers and the bus driver. The kindergarten also requires stationery and a new printer. Rawheh mentioned relying on the school next door for printing services. "Despite the economic and security challenges the kindergarten faced this year, we managed to deliver outstanding educational and recreational services to the children, all thanks to your support."

Thank you for making this possible.

Thank you for supporting Al Haq Kindergarten, an institution that has nurtured several generations of children of Al Aqaba Village and nearby areas since 2002. 

Rawheh, head of the Al Aqaba Rural Women Association, was able to utilize the funds to clear an outstanding electricity bill and repair the old school bus, ensuring a safer environment and reliable transportation for the children. The kindergarten continues to provide a diverse curriculum, including Math, English, and Arabic lessons, coupled with a plethora of enjoyable and educational activities such as indoor and outdoor games, storytelling, arts and crafts, theater, and much more.

The socio-economic challenges faced by Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Jerusalem have intensified in recent months, particularly following the onset of the conflict in Gaza. Initially, the kindergarten welcomed 85 students at the start of the school year, a number that has since decreased to 65. The reduction is attributed to financial hardships; many families are struggling to meet tuition costs after parents lost their employment opportunities in Israel due to restrictions implemented since the war's commencement. Additionally, those employed locally have faced delays or absence in salary payments.

"The situation has become incredibly challenging for everyone involved. The financial plight of many families has reached a point where securing basic necessities like milk and bread is a struggle," Rawheh conveyed. Despite the financial difficulties and the inability of the majority of the remaining 65 students to pay their tuition fees on time—with some families falling two to three months behind—Rawheh has chosen to keep the doors of education open for them, recognizing their inability to pay.

We encourage you to share the story of this admirable kindergarten with your networks. It's through your unwavering support that we aspire to maintain the operation of the kindergarten, continuing to deliver quality education and care to the children of Al Aqaba Village. We are immensely grateful for your contributions and dedication to this cause.

Thank you for all that you do.