“This project reminded us that education is not a luxury – it is the breath that keeps us going. Even in displacement, even in fear, the children show up. They dream, they learn, they laugh. And we teach, because we believe in them. This would not have been possible without the support of this project.”
– Beneficiary Teacher
The Galilee Foundation is proud to have supported the Ajyal Foundation in its work supporting Education Through Community-Led Initiatives for displaced primary school-aged Palestinian children in Gaza.
During the project period, the Ajyal Foundation was able to support:
- 17 community-led initiatives;
- 193 teachers (165 women, 28 men);
- 5,616 children, marking a 19% increase in enrolment compared to original plans, due in particular to the provision of school supplies and essential materials that helped ease financial barriers for families.
The project was launched in partnership with Ajyal’s local partner, the Teacher Creativity Center with the aim of compensating for what children have lost because of war, seeking to foster a sense of stability and reassurance amid all the turmoil. Specifically, it focused on rebuilding core academic skills (Arabic, Maths, English) and enhancing psychosocial well-being. It adopted a participatory community education approach, in which 193 teachers carried out 17 community initiatives across Gaza. Parents and local committees also contributed by helping prepare learning spaces and produce alternative school supplies, fostering a sense of community ownership and sustainability.
The project provided monthly stipends to teachers in order to encourage sustainability. Teaching supplies and student kits (including notebooks, pencils, educational aids, and psychosocial materials) were also distributed, ensuring that a lack of resources did not prevent children from attending sessions. A big part of the project was easing economic pressure on families. Where a single notebook can cost more than 3 shekels, and 1 kilo of flour can cost over 70 shekels, the provision of stationery and educational supplies through this intervention helped ease the burden on households. As one mother of a beneficiary child put it: “I can’t buy toys or notebooks. But when my son receives school supplies and gets to play and study with friends, it brings us both happiness. I feel like I have given him back a piece of his stolen childhood.”
