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Scholarships
A growing number of parents cannot fully pay school fees because of economic hardships brought on by the current situation in Palestine. The school offers scholarships to the most needy, but parents' requests for scholarships outstretch available resources.
Supporting scholarships primarily helps the children. But scholarships are part of the school's income too, helping to keep it running and guaranteeing that the unique education this school provides is accessible to everybody.
We seek support for our scholarship program, allowing children from economically disadvantaged families to attend the Hope Flowers School. This school is a world pioneer in peace and democracy education for children living in a conflict zone.
Why a scholarship program?
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Ongoing closures of the West Bank by the Israeli army, travel limitations, the financial consequences of the second intifada, the international financial embargo of Palestine and political instability mean that many families in the Bethlehem region struggle to survive. Unemployment levels are around 60%.
The Hope Flowers School is an independent school which is neither funded nor constrained by religious, UN or Palestinian Authority school requirements and regulations. This enables us to implement our unique peace education and non-violence philosophy, but it also means we must raise all funds ourselves.
Many parents have chosen to send their children to our school because of its high educational quality, its 'Listen to my Voice' counselling program and its international exchange projects. It is especially tragic when a child joins the school, only to have to withdraw later, for lack of funds.
The school has a limited scholarship program paid from its own budget, awarded to families most in need. We have to turn down many requests for scholarships and this affects children who are genuinely eligible and deserve to enlist. The school has seen an overall drop in income owing to decreasing income from school fees. The overall financial crisis in Palestine causes many financial problems for the school - for example with the payment of teachers' salaries.
We therefore seek support to help us provide scholarships to children who are most in financial need.
What does it cost?
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School tuition fees for one child at the Hope Flowers School is US$500 or €395 a year:
- $100 or €79 for schoolbooks and school uniform (compulsory in Palestine);
- $200 or €158 for transportation to and from school
- $200 or €158 school fee toward salaries and maintenance costs for the school.
Why should I help?
Your financial support would help guarantee a Palestinian child a good primary education in a safe, encouraging and supportive environment. Children receive training in non-violent problem-solving, peaceful coexistence and self-development, on top of their normal curriculum. They receive personalised educational support and psychological counselling when needed. This adds up to an education which tackles violence and disadvantage at its roots, giving children a good chance in life, despite their difficult living circumstances.
The alternative is this: children unable to attend school, who are in danger of building up resentments and a legitimate feeling that the world is unfair to them, who, when they are older, feel under-educated and unable to progress. They become likely to vent their frustrations or tend toward extremism, and less able to help their families and communities.
For your support, you will receive:
- a certificate of appreciation, if donating more than $50;
- our occasional school newsletter, and
- a yearly report on the scholarships program, its implementation and outcome. It tells you how your financial support helped specific children as well as the school.
How can I help?
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It is possible to make single donations, a regular monthly donation, or to form a donating group (support community). Click here to make a donation.
- A donation of $100, €80 or £60 pays for school books, paper, stationery and uniform;
- $200, €160 or £120 covers school tuition fees and contributes toward teachers' salaries;
- $500, €400 or £300 covers a complete scholarship for one child.
Any amount helps - often a child needs only partial support from the scholarship fund (for example, for school fees). Smaller donated sums are consolidated together into one scholarship for a child.
Larger sums can be specifically donated to our scholarship fund. Information is provided on our donations page if you wish to make a tax-deducted donation in UK or USA, or if you wish to speak to our UK or US representatives first.
