Help rebuild education for Gaza’s children

Hi, my name is John Metson, and I am raising funds to help Heleena Darwish, a qualified English language teacher, establish an educational centre in Khan Younis, a city in South Gaza, where she lives.

Although much of Khan Younis has been destroyed by war, Heleena has identified a suitable building with rooms that can be converted into classrooms. She and three colleagues aim to teach English language, along with maths, science and creative arts, to children aged 5–12. Because so many children have been traumatised by war, they seek to combine education with emotional support to help children regain a sense of normalcy and stability.

They hope that eventually the project will be self-financing, but at the moment they need funds to get it started. It is for this that I am making an appeal for donations.

Heleena explains her project in more detail here:

Despite the last 18 months of brutal bombardment in Gaza, and a blockade of aid, Palestinians have not lost their desire for education. But the challenges to providing it are considerable. Because schools are being used as shelters for displaced families, and in many cases have been destroyed, there is simply a shortage of classrooms, and those that are still in use are hugely overcrowded. Moreover, children have missed over a year of education. Many have lost relatives and are deeply traumatized by war, which affects their ability to learn. They are in urgent need of a safe teaching environment with lots of emotional support. Another problem is that there is a great shortage of money in Gaza right now. Basic necessities have become very expensive, and families have little to spare for education.

I aim to address these challenges in Al-Amal Educational Centre, which I and three colleagues intend to establish in Khan Younis.

I am a graduate of English Language from Al-Quds Open University. With five years of experience in education, including roles as a trainer at the Palestine Centre, Best English Centre, and Al-Amal School, I have dedicated my career to improving the learning process for children. I am also a writer at WANN (We Are Not Numbers), where I advocate for educational development and social change.

My colleagues are:

Noor Shaat: graduate of English from Al-Quds Open University,

trainer at Best English Centre with expertise in interactive teaching

methods, three years of experience in education and training.

Saja Abu Ghali: graduate of Al-Aqsa University in Basic Education,

specializing in child development and creative teaching techniques,

two years of experience in education.

Fadi Abu Ghali: graduate of Palestine University in Software

Engineering, responsible for integrating digital tools and technology

into the curriculum, with more than five years of experience.

The purpose of our project is to teach English language, along with maths, science and creative arts, to children aged 5–12 (early learners to primary level). We will employ interactive teaching methods to make learning engaging and enjoyable. By combining education with psychological support, we aim to help children feel safe and secure, and increase their confidence and hope for the future. The centre will also contribute to community cohesion by offering families education and care for their children.

A suitable building has been identified in central Khan Younis, near

the main market area. The building is a two-storey structure with four spacious rooms that can be converted into classrooms. Minor renovations, such as painting, installing whiteboards, and setting up furniture, are required to make it functional. The building is secure, accessible, and has adequate space for future expansion.

Initial course outlines have been developed, focusing on English language proficiency and interactive learning methods. The centre will start with two classes, each accommodating 15–20 students. Morning and afternoon sessions will maximize accessibility.

In view of the economic challenges faced by families in Khan Younis, the centre will adopt a sliding scale of fees to ensure affordability. Fees will range from 10 to 20 ILS per month per child. Scholarships and discounts will be available for families with multiple children or those facing extreme hardship.

We hope that in time the project will be self-funding, but at the moment we urgently need financial help to set the centre up. We need funds to hire and renovate our premises, to purchase furniture and educational materials, and to provide power back-up in the form of solar panels or a generator.

Please help us to get this project off the ground. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. The children of Gaza have lost so much, but together we can help them rebuild. Donate today and be a part of something truly life-changing!

For more details or inquiries, please contact me on +970 593 262 360. I am happy to provide any additional documents, certificates, or my CV upon request. Thank you for your time and support.

Sincerely,

Heleena Jawad Darwish

Founder, Al-Amal Educational Centre