Sana’s School in Gaza

Product Description

United States

Supporters

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page for Sana’s School in Gaza! Sana is an amazing human working hard not only for her family’s survival, but for the betterment of her community amidst the ongoing genocide. Despite the closure of Gaza, her family built a community well and started providing a school, which Sana describes below. While borders are closed, supplies that do reach the displaced are at inflated prices and in very short supply, making survival itself incredibly expensive. Please allow Sana to describe her efforts and what you will be supporting:

Hello and Greetings from Deir El Balah, Gaza!

Hi! I am Sana, the founder of Sana’s School in Gaza (SIG), and I’m reaching out to share our journey and ask for your support in expanding our humble learning center. Our school is not just a place for education, but a crucial lifeline for the innocent children in our community. With your valuable help, we believe we can do even more to serve our community.

While some parts of world may be filled with extreme daily challenges, I want to share a bright and hopeful story from our community here in Deir El Balah, Gaza, where many displaced Gazan families now reside.

Every morning, as the sun rises over Gaza, eager children make their way to our humble but thriving school. These students, who have faced unimaginable hardships—some lost their homes and loved ones—found a place of safety, learning, and friendship in our classrooms.

Why Did We Start This Journey?

Since early October 2023, the destruction of all learning institutions in Gaza has left all children without access to even basic education. Schools have been demolished, and a few that remain standing are utilized as shelters for displaced families. Witnessing the situation as an educator, I couldn’t stand by and watch these innocent children in my community losing their future especially missed out their first conflict time academic year and now entering second year. The idea to start our school was when I was observing displaced children in my neighborhood, lining up for hours to fill up water. I knew I needed to do something for them.

Who We Serve

The children at Sanaa’s School are between the ages of 5 and 14, and they come not just to learn but to find comfort in a world that often feels uncertain. Our curriculum includes:

– Arabic

– English

– Math

– Religion Classes

– Art

– Survival Skills

We teach much more than just academic subjects. Art allows the children to express their dreams and process the trauma they have experienced, while survival skills help them navigate the challenges of their environment.

Our Mission and Vision for Growth

While we currently only serve 20 children due to limitation of space and educator(s), we know the demand is far greater. Many families are seeking places for their children to learn, and we aim to expand our school to 100 students. To ensure each child receives the attention they deserve, we plan to operate the school in small shifts of 20 students at a session.

Currently, we operate with only two volunteer teachers—me and one other dedicated female teacher. But we must grow to serve other innocent students. Our goal is to hire six teachers, who will be mostly female. This direction will give opportunity for them to support their families during these devastating times. By hiring female educator, we not only expand our school’s reach but also provide much-needed extra income to families who have lost so much in the war.

What We Aim to Fully Provide

1. Meals & Clean Water:

Each child receives a nutritious meal and clean bottled water, essential in an area where diseases and viruses spread easily.

– Cost: $70 per student per month for basic yet healthy meals and clean bottled water.

2. Hygiene Packages:

Many families in Gaza cannot afford basic hygiene products due to rising prices. We aim to provide each child with a monthly hygiene package that they can share with their families, especially those living in tents.

– Cost: $100 per student each month, totaling $10,000 for 100 children.

3. Educational Materials:

We require educational materials including motivational prizes, stories, books, bags and other miscellaneous materials. A special focus will be on art supplies, which allow the children to express themselves and find joy amidst the hardship. And materials for educational games to keep students motivated.

– Cost: $50 per student each month, totaling $5,000 for 100 children.

4. Seasonal Clothing:

As winter approaches, many of our students in dire need for warm clothes. Most families unfortunately cannot afford to provide these essentials.

– Cost: $150 per child, totaling *$15,000* for 100 students for seasonal clothing including shoes.

5. Teacher Salaries:

To hire six teachers with different subject specialization, we need to provide a minimum salary of $400 per month so they educate with full concentration and ease of mind knowing their basic special needs as a woman are fulfilled.

– Cost: $2,400 per month for six teachers.

6. Classroom Improvements:

To provide a comfortable learning environment, we desperately need of additional solar panel, fans, tables, chairs, loose furniture, multiple electrical & electronics educational equipment and insulation coverings to make education comfortable for all seasons.

– Cost: $6,000 for minimum improvements.

Lunch Events and Activities

In addition to their lessons, we provide opportunities for the students to participate in various unique activities during lunchtime twice a month. These include:

– Meditation and Mindfulness: We have introduced meditation sessions to help children calm their minds, offering them a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their surroundings.

– Creative Activities: Art and craft projects, allowing the children to express themselves and explore their creativity.

– Celebrating Milestones: Birthdays are celebrated with small parties where each child feels special and valued. For many of them, this is the first time they’ve experienced a birthday celebration.

– Playtime: Structured play helps them engage socially and build friendships in a safe and caring environment.

These events add a layer of normalcy and joy to the children’s lives, helping them build memories that go beyond the hardships they face every day.

– Cost: Approximately $2,000 per monthly for 100 students.

Safety Measures Taken

Safety is always a concern in Gaza. To protect our students and teachers, we plan to install a large, visible sign in front of our school, clearly marking it as a learning institution. The sign will read “Please Don’t Bomb Us” in multiple languages, as an additional safety measure to protect our children and staff.

Looking Ahead

We are also excited to announce a new initiative! Soon, we’ll be launching & selling ‘SIG themed T-shirts’ featuring the artwork and dreams of our very students. These designs, created by our students, will be available for purchase, and every sale will go directly toward supporting and funding our school. By wearing these unique SIG T-shirts, you can proudly carry a piece of Gaza’s hope with you, wherever you are.

We Offer Unique opportunity to Sponsor a Student

At SIG, we believe that while donations are incredibly important, a child needs more than just financial support. They long to feel a connection with the parents who have adopted them. That’s why we’re here – to help bridge this gap and offer you a personal connection with Gaza, beyond the news.

We invite you to humanize our children and become a part of their lives. If you feel moved to commit to a monthly contribution of $200, we offer a unique opportunity to build a special relationship with one of our students. As a sponsor, you’ll receive personal videos and updates on your child’s progress, allowing you to share in their journey.

Additionally, we’re happy to offer you a discount on T-shirts featuring the artwork of the student you’re connected with. This is our way of saying Shukran, Thank you for being a part of their world.

To be a part of this program, sign up for a reoccuring donation and send Sana a note with your receipt and that you’d like to be connected with a student. We will then facilitate the connection via What’s App. Email: [email protected]

Thank You for Your Support

Your support means the world to us—whether it’s through donations, sharing our story, or standing with us in solidarity. Together, we can continue to provide education, safety, and hope to the children of Gaza, despite the challenges we face every day.

Our goal is to secure funding for the first semester, a four-month period that marks the initial stage of our journey with around 100 students.

Thank you for believing in this project and for standing with us. Your kindness is a light in these dark times.

Who are the folks running this fundraiser?

We are: Rebekah, a former public school teacher and a pediatrician friend who chooses to remain anonymous. We are friends who met through local organizing for Palestine in Olympia, WA, Squaxin land. Please reach out with any questions. We are happy you are here, it gives us faith that together, we will build this world from love.

You may notice when you contribute to this campaign the money goes to Rebekah Erev. Rebekah has created an account in the U.S. to send money via international wire to the Bank of Palestine in Gaza. Gazan’s are not able to directly recieve money through this fundraiser so Rebekah has volunteered to be the intermediary. All receipts are carefully tracked and recorded. If you have questions about this, please don’t hesitate to reach out: [email protected]

We have some beautiful images to share with you!

As a direct result of your support, Sana conducted a small distribution of essentials such as flour and sugar to the children of her school community. In this time of starvation and forced displacement, this fund is maintaining a lifeline for these children.

Please take the time to look at their smiles, and please consider sharing this campaign with a friend.

Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you for supporting Sana’s School in Gaza. While some of the students returned to the north a few months ago, Sana is still providing education, activities, support and food to these precious children. At this time during the starvation and the skyrocketing price of food (1500 up to 4000 dollars for a sack of flour in just a few days), as well as the fees to receive funds (consisting of 50% fees in order to receive cash from your funds), your support is lifesaving.

Sana says “there have been new evacuations in my city today, and unfortunately that’s not good news. Most of the shops have closed and the main problem now is that we can’t find food. I just hope they’ll open the crossing, at least for flour and baby milk.”

Every dollar counts. Thank you for helping these children to eat.

Aliya Dharamshi

37 minutes ago

$10

Noha Aljawhary

8 hours ago

$50

Sophie Roy

11 hours ago

$50

Erika Perales

12 hours ago

$10

Bridget Daly

14 hours ago

$25

Vina Aboshaira

14 hours ago

$10

Christopher Oldfield

3 days ago

$15

Jad Faraj

6 days ago

$100

SAMUEL SCHINDLER

6 days ago

$200

Anonymous

7 days ago

$100

Creed Taylor

8 days ago

$10

Anonymous

8 days ago

$25

Anonymous

9 days ago

$15

Anonymous

9 days ago

$25

Suzie Cochran

10 days ago

$5

Anonymous

13 days ago

$45

Creed Taylor

14 days ago

$10

Anonymous

15 days ago

$70

Anonymous

16 days ago

£25

ciele gladstein

16 days ago

$8

Rebekah Erev