Hope Kindergaten – Jericho
The West Bank and Gaza, with 43% of the population under the age of 15, is an area ravaged by political turmoil, widespread poverty, food shortages and infrastructure destruction.
These factors make it difficult for families to find quality education for their children. Seeds of Hope brings this quality education in a nurturing atmosphere to the children of Jericho in the West Bank. It is the goal of Hope Kindergarten to prepare Preschool and Kindergarten age children for the advanced English that they will be taught in upper grades by teaching students to speak and write basic English, (more…)
Tour Group Helps with Food Distribution
When Seeds of Hope decided to conduct a food distribution a tour group from Calvary Chapel, Albuquerque pitched in to help fill boxes of necessities for needy families from one of the refugee camps in Jericho. The next day, as the people arrived to pick up their boxes, the volunteers were happy to help load them in cars, or even carry them to their homes. It was a fun time and 100 families received these boxes that brought much needed relief.
Food Distributions
In 2009-2010 Seeds of Hope, partnering with an Israel based NGO, organized two food/basic needs distributions to some of the poorest families from a Jericho, West Bank based refugee camp. One hundred families were selected to receive the items based on depth of need and were given a box that was loaded with 50.00USD worth of basic necessities that would feed the family for one week. A group of Americans touring Israel stopped by to pitch in with the processing of the boxes, their help was greatly appreciated by Seeds staff as well as the Palestinian people. Seeing American generosity in action many times has more impact on the people than the gift its self.
In the future Seeds of Hope would like to conduct quarterly food distributions in the West Bank to ease some of the desperation that runs rampant in the refugee camps located in the West Bank and Gaza.
Water Well Project
Water in Israel is a precious and closely monitored commodity. Only 17% of water needed for agriculture is currently available for the Medjool Date Palm project in Jericho. At the beginning of this year, Seeds of Hope was granted a permit to dig a water well inside Jericho. With the addition of the water well, the date palm project begun last year, will now have a better chance of success and expansion. The fresh water well will also make it possible for another job creating business – a water bottling plant.
Date Palm Farm
One of the most lucrative businesses in the Jericho area is the Date Palm business. In 2010 Seeds of Hope developed a program that purchases Date Palms to be donated to Jericho area families in order for them to raise the Palm and at the time of full growth and harvest (approx 3 years) the tree can provide $5,000.00 USD/year in income for the family.
Green Valley Restaurant
Seeds of Hope has partnered with a Jericho area restaurant by providing a micro loan to help improve the accommodations through renovation in order to accommodate the tour groups that are brought in by Seeds of Hope Tours. The mini-facelift has brought more local business for catering of special events in turn providing a more substantial income to the family owned and operated eatery.
Table Tennis Fun
On certain nights of the week the Youth Center is opened up to the boys and girls of the community. This video is during an evening with the boys. You can see how much they like the Youth Center, especially the Table Tennis. (more…)
Hope Kindergarten Class of 2011
It was a night of accomplishments and fun as the students of Hope Kindergarten showed their family and friends what they had learned during their year of school. Hope Kindergarten was honored to be recognized by the Palestinian Authority’s Education Minister as the Best Kindergarten in the West Bank.
English Lessons at Little Hearts Daycare
English lesson at Little Hearts Daycare:
One of the students of Little Hearts Daycare, and son of the Daycare Manager, has been learning some English with his mom. In this video, Nasser (9 months old), shows off his comprehension skills with some help from his mom. There is nothing more adorable than watching him play with his toys and tell us what sounds they make.
The children of Little Hearts Daycare are cared for in an environment that promotes early childhood development. Little Hearts provides mothers of the Jericho area an opportunity to have their child cared for in a loving environment while they work to help provide income for their families.
Table Tennis Tournament
And the local papers read “Raed Abu Karesh of the national economy first, was the champion, and David Gasser the Swiss finished second!” Good times!
One of the most enjoyed features of the Youth Center is the Table Tennis/Ping Pong area. The kids definitely like to play. Recently though, an idea for a tournament was presented to the Seeds of Hope staff. Tass, thought this would be a great idea and a fun way to get some of the adult community involved with the Youth Center. As you can see from the pictures it was a great time for all involved. Tass handed out the medals and trophies to the participants.
