Oh, little town in Bethlehem, funds should help thy school
BY: Sheri Baker-Rickman, Staff Writer
Organizers are calling a
fundraising event benefiting a school in
Bethlehem a success after raising about
$3,700 Oct. 13.
Citizens for Justice in the Middle East organized the event at St. Andrew Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 13890 W. 127th St. Olathe.
Hope Flowers School, attended by Palestinian children, benefits from the fundraiser.
The independent, private K-7 school in south Bethlehem serves 260 children and teaches a progressive education based on Montessori methods, including intercultural, interfaith, conflict-resolution and democratic emphasis.
“The school is in the West Bank and is being negatively affected by the wall Israel is building there,” Overland Park resident Samir Awad said. “The wall may go through the school's cafeteria.”
Israel is constructing walls to separate Israeli controlled areas from Palestinian controlled areas in the West Bank.
The wall will destroy the school's well water supply, Awad said.
“The wall affects Palestinians by separating families and friends,” Awad said. “It separates farmers from their farmland. Palestinians don't want the wall because they don't believe it is positive for the peace process. It is being built on Palestinian land.”
Despite the problems in the West Bank, Awad said he believes peace will prevail if a two-state solution is implemented.
Hope Flowers School Director Ibrahim Issa had planned to speak at the fundraiser but could not obtain a visa to leave the country. Awad spoke instead.
Awad is the son of Bishara Awad, president of Bethlehem Bible College, an institution working to keep Christians in the Holy Land.
Fundraiser organizers seek financial support to pay teacher salaries and student scholarships at Hope Flowers School.
A $500 donation pays the annual tuition for one student and $50 helps pay school utility and telephone bills.
“The Hope Flowers School provides a ray of hope for the world and, in particular, Palestinian families and children who believe that peace is possible for Israeli and Palestinian people,” Peter Waasdorp, U.S. Friends of Hope Flowers School organizer, said.
The fundraiser included a dinner of Middle Eastern cuisine by local chef Cindy Ross. Hummus, labni, falafel, olives and pita bread preceded a main course of cinnamon chicken, eggplant and squash in a red sauce with Mediterranean rice and salad.
In addition to the dinner, organizers held an auction of vintage clothes from China, gift certificates from Olive Cafe and Jerusalem Bakery, vintage linens, 2008 “Colors of Palestine” calendars, and books about Israel/Palestine.
Citizens for Justice in the Middle East organized the event at St. Andrew Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 13890 W. 127th St. Olathe.
Hope Flowers School, attended by Palestinian children, benefits from the fundraiser.
The independent, private K-7 school in south Bethlehem serves 260 children and teaches a progressive education based on Montessori methods, including intercultural, interfaith, conflict-resolution and democratic emphasis.
“The school is in the West Bank and is being negatively affected by the wall Israel is building there,” Overland Park resident Samir Awad said. “The wall may go through the school's cafeteria.”
Israel is constructing walls to separate Israeli controlled areas from Palestinian controlled areas in the West Bank.
The wall will destroy the school's well water supply, Awad said.
“The wall affects Palestinians by separating families and friends,” Awad said. “It separates farmers from their farmland. Palestinians don't want the wall because they don't believe it is positive for the peace process. It is being built on Palestinian land.”
Despite the problems in the West Bank, Awad said he believes peace will prevail if a two-state solution is implemented.
Hope Flowers School Director Ibrahim Issa had planned to speak at the fundraiser but could not obtain a visa to leave the country. Awad spoke instead.
Awad is the son of Bishara Awad, president of Bethlehem Bible College, an institution working to keep Christians in the Holy Land.
Fundraiser organizers seek financial support to pay teacher salaries and student scholarships at Hope Flowers School.
A $500 donation pays the annual tuition for one student and $50 helps pay school utility and telephone bills.
“The Hope Flowers School provides a ray of hope for the world and, in particular, Palestinian families and children who believe that peace is possible for Israeli and Palestinian people,” Peter Waasdorp, U.S. Friends of Hope Flowers School organizer, said.
The fundraiser included a dinner of Middle Eastern cuisine by local chef Cindy Ross. Hummus, labni, falafel, olives and pita bread preceded a main course of cinnamon chicken, eggplant and squash in a red sauce with Mediterranean rice and salad.
In addition to the dinner, organizers held an auction of vintage clothes from China, gift certificates from Olive Cafe and Jerusalem Bakery, vintage linens, 2008 “Colors of Palestine” calendars, and books about Israel/Palestine.