Expanded education opportunities for vulnerable kids

oPT | 2023 | CBPF

Occupied Palestinian Territory, Northern Gaza. Rajab, a 13-year-old boy from northern Gaza was in the sixth grade when he started helping his father at work by collecting plastic to recycle. Determined to support his family, Rajab, who had nine siblings to care for, including two brothers with disabilities, found himself struggling academically.

With conflict escalating, a lack of mental health services, and poor school infrastructure – as well as underlying poverty – the dire situation in the Gaza Strip limits children’s access to education.  

To address pressing educational challenges for vulnerable children in the North of Gaza Governorate, in 2022 the Palestine Save the Children Foundation ran a project ‘Ensuring Quality and Inclusive Education for Vulnerable Children.’ This initiative, funded by the occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF), provides school-based catch-up classes and psychological support sessions to out-of-school children and those with disabilities.

Through this program, Rajab was given the opportunity to enhance his academic skills. He hadn’t been enjoying school, but with the support of the project’s teachers, psychologist, and his mother, Rajab was successfully reintegrated back into school.

His commitment to attending the catch-up classes Arabic, English, and Math was unwavering, and he quickly became more confident and engaged in the lessons and activities, including drama, drawing, role-play, and fun days with his peers. “The unique teaching methods, and regular follow-up visits, along with his own school bag and stationery, have really motivated Rajab’s commitment to education,” said Rajab’s mother Samar.

Today, Rajab is back in school, eager to learn and build a better future for himself and his family.    

More information on the oPT Humanitarian Fund:
https://www.ochaopt.org/page/opt-humanitarian-fund
https://pfdata.unocha.org/

Names have been changed