Phone Calls from Palestine

Welcome to the school south of Gaza City that, despite all odds, is striving to make a difference in the lives of children who are still desperate to learn

Abu Shiha School for Excellence teaches nearly 600 primary school pupils inside temporary makeshift tents in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip every day.

Students show up to the site just south of Gaza City eager to learn but without the basic materials they need – and without proper sanitisation.  

They have one basic toilet between 600 which they have to queue to use. The school lacks the basic hygiene facilities needed to accommodate one class a fraction of this size.

There is no water and damage to the sewage system, combined with the wet weather and flooding, has only made matters worse.

The bathroom needs constant cleaning and, crucially, a proper water supply to restore hygiene standards for the children.

Meanwhile, pupils are studying on the cold ground with little to no supplies.

Yet the school – basically a free, educational tent – forges on in a bid to change the lives of children in Gaza.

“Many children have lost access to school due to displacement and destruction,” says Yasmine who runs the school, with the help of a small team of volunteers.  

“Our mission is simple – give children a safe space to learn, play and regain a sense of normalcy.”

The school provides basic classes in reading, writing, and maths, as well as creative and emotional support activities to help the children cope with the current situation.

It offers a safe, structured environment during the day with free access for all Palestinian children in the community. But it desperately needs support.

Your donation could help supply snacks, water, learning materials and other essentials.

It could help to buy tents, chairs, tables, books, notebooks, pencils, whiteboards, and posters. All donations go directly to supporting the children.

Ultimately, you could help provide an education to displaced children in the immediate community.  

As per the school’s motto, “education is dignity”.