“Facilitating a learning atmosphere; over 1,000 Children receive school bags and supplies in southern and middle Gaza
Recently, “Together Towards Hope” youth network members, alongside the SDF’s team distributed over 1,000 school bags and stationery to students in Safe Learning Spaces across the middle area of the Gaza Strip. This intervention aims to support children’s engagement in the learning process. The distribution targeted SLSs in the “Return Camp” at the Palestinian Red Crescent in Al-Zawaida, the “Together For Palestine 3 & 5” in Deir Al-Balah, the “Zoumi Camps 1&2”, “Jordanian-Kuwaiti Camps 1 & 2” in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Providing learning supplies
The distributed school bags included cases, bundles of pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, coloring sets, drawing books, and six notebooks. While some of these items may still be available in the local market, they are not affordable for displaced families who suffer from resource shortages, and lack of basic shelter items since October 7, 2023.
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
T4H youth volunteers participated in the distribution process, they prepared the materials, packed the school bags, and ensured their contents were fairly distributed. Additionally, they wrote “messages of hope” for the children. The school bags were delivered to students with messages like, “Good morning, hope still exists,” “We’re in this together,” and “Together Towards Hope.”
I’m glad we were able to boost the learning environment to make it as close as possible to authentic schools. Prominently, making the education process easier and lighter for students.
Angham Mattar, SDF, Education project manager
Mattar, who took part of the distribution, witnessed children’s delight, receiving stationary would facilitate their education, noting, “We’re trying our best to help students focus and continue their education as naturally as possible. The distribution process was organized and led by the ‘Together Towards Hope’ youth network in a friendly and positive atmosphere. Every student received their supplies fairly, fostering their engagement in the classes.”
The promising future
Fourteen-year-old student Niveen Dmaida shared, “The bag is amazing; I am very happy to have it back. Thank you.” Her classmate, Lamis Abdel Dayem, said, “I read your message on the bag; it made me feel that there’s still hope and that things will get better!” Jana Abdel Bari added, “Everything dramatically changed, but being engaged in the SLS enhances our life. I made new friends and got to learn more.”
In the “Together For Palestine 3” camp, student Basant Al-Bahri joyfully said, “Every day is an added value here; we learn, reflect, and spend time with friends and teachers who are dedicated to teaching us. Holding this bag brings back school memories.”
In Khan Younis, high school student Lama Abu Leila remarked, “I thought life had ended, but in the second year of displacement, we turned to educational spaces. Despite being deprived of education, we’ve returned to school. We, the children of Gaza, are the future generation.”
In the coming weeks, the SDF team, alongside the “Together Towards Hope” network, will lead various activities in safe educational spaces. We remain committed to providing all the necessary resources for students to ensure uninterrupted education.
It’s worth mentioning that in recent months, SDF has established several safe educational spaces across all Gaza governorates, particularly in Khan Younis, central Gaza, and Gaza City. These spaces are staffed by highly skilled teachers and attended by hundreds of children across different educational stages. This project is sponsored by UNICEF and implemented in partnership with the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP).