Hope Flowers
is an independent private K-7 school located on a hillside of South
Bethlehem, where 220 children are given a progressive education based on
Montessori methods with an intercultural, interfaith,
conflict-resolution and democratic emphasis.
The
curriculum covers English, Arabic, religious education, mathematics,
science, arts, history and current national issues, computers and
citizenship. Extracurricular activities include agriculture,
environmental care, drama, dance, folklore dancing, music and performing
arts.
Children are
taught to value their own dignity while affirming the value of others.
Their attitude and enthusiasm reflect a stable, caring environment and
an openness to other cultures.
Why support
Hope Flowers School?
In the
mornings the school teaches the nine mandatory subjects required by the
Palestinian Ministry of Education. Its special character shines out in
the afternoons, evenings and holidays with extra-curricular teaching in
peace, democracy and community-building.
The peace
and democracy education seeks to teach children how to handle
confrontational and difficult situations, how to stand up and make their
contribution in public and how to work with others to resolve
interpersonal and social issues. It also includes trauma-recovery
counseling for the children and their families.
It's not
only in conflict-ridden areas where such an education is needed — most
countries suffer their own forms of violence and social abuses. Yet in
the context of the decades-long conflict in Palestine, necessity has
given birth to cutting-edge methods which are now becoming increasingly
important for the wider world. The Hope Flowers School doesn't just seek
support: as a kind of educational prototype it has a lot to offer the
world.
Graduates
emerge into adulthood with tools to make the best out of life and to do
the best for all people.
Hope
Flowers seeks funding support, educational contacts and volunteers to
help in teaching and project development at the school.
Hope Flowers
School (HFS) has three levels of peace education, for teachers, parents
and students. The basic rule of all these levels is “peace starts with
you.”
§HFS
teachers subscribe to the school's philosophy. The school provides
training in empowerment and compassionate listening as well as joint
Palestinian-Israeli teacher workshops.
§HFS
involves parents in workshops and trainings in addition to providing
counseling for children and their families.
§HFS
promotes reconciliation and understanding and creates a safe space for
students in which they can explore their creativity and innate
potential.
The support
of concerned Americans can make a huge difference in the Hope Flowers
school program.
Consider making a financial contribution on behalf of your faith group,
student group or individually.
How can you
support Hope Flowers School?
Supporter
levels -
$25-50 Supporter
— helps pay for school utility and telephone bills
$100 Advocate
— helps provide school transportation for students
$250 Peacemaker
— provides for the school’s annual office supplies
$500 Visionary
— provides for two student scholarships for one year
Support by mail
- Send your name, address, city/state/zip and make your
tax-deductible check out to Coalition for Peace with Justice, a
501(c)3 nonprofit group. Please specify “Hope Flowers School” on the
memo line of the check. Mail this form to Ginger Kenney, c/o CJME,
6100 W 52nd St, Mission KS 66202.
Support
by online payment - Donate
using a major credit card, e-check or Paypal account.
"Worse Than Apartheid?" - An April 9, 2007
Washington Post article by Robert Novak documenting his recent visit to Bethlehem.
Video
on Hope Flowers School -
Photos
on Hope Flowers School -
"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."
Goals of campaign
Citizens for
Justice in the Middle East advocates for a more just U.S. foreign
policy. Towards that end it has elected to support Hope Flowers
School. When U.S. foreign policy fails to bring about peace between
Israel and Palestinians, we can develop “citizen diplomacy” by
building people-to-people ties. The goals of this campaign are:
Fundraise $10,000
in the Kansas City area for direct support of the school and
join with U.S. Friends of Hope Flowers School to raise $100,000
nationally.
Educate
Americans about the school’s activities and the conditions in
and around Bethlehem.
Advocate for the
protection of the structural and functional well-being of the
school by sharing news and reports about the impact of the
occupation and wall/fence on students of Hope Flowers School. [
Read more on how to help ]
Current Supporters
Citizens
for Justice in the Middle East
New Song
Church (N. Kansas City)
Disciples Peace Fellowship
Peace
and Justice Group, Grace Convenant Church, Kansas City