CHILDREN NEED CLASSROOMS
Our mission is to provide education & community support for displaced Palestinian families in Egypt
Attending school is a crucial factor in helping displaced young people recover from trauma
As well as education, the routine of going to school provides students with much needed structure, security and hope
From Gaza
Palestinian children and their families have suffered a lot recently. From the initial shock of having to suddenly leave their homes and schools to the ongoing grief of losing their loved ones to war. Fear was constant. The lucky ones managed to escape.
To Egypt
An estimated 5,000 Palestinian children were evacuated to Cairo since October 2023 and several members of the Renew Roots Foundation Team played active roles in many of these missions.
Though they are no longer in mortal danger many of the displaced children continue to live in a constant state of hyper-vigilance and are stuck in flight or fight mode. They may have reached the safety they need to survive but have not yet been able to achieve the vital sense of belonging that all humans need to heal from trauma and to thrive.
New Classrooms
Our small team of Palestinian and Arabic speaking experienced teachers and support staff are excited to invite the 50 children and young people who live in the Shorouk district of the city to the first Renew Roots Foundation Learning Centre (school and community centre) to be set up in Cairo.
Our community centre manager Afnan Alrkhawi, who is a trained Parent Educator and who herself was evacuated from Gaza with her family in March, has identified a suitably large unfurnished house with a private garden which is currently available for rent that can be converted into four classrooms and a welcoming community centre.
Building Community
Fostering a sense of belonging for the families who have been displaced is an important aspect of the Renew Roots Foundation mission. The Learning Centre will offer space for the adults to meet and to support each other. They will be able to access important resources and counseling services there as well as be given the opportunity to take part in a variety of practical workshops and ongoing classes.
Members of the community who are in a position to become more actively involved by contributing their skills and time will be encouraged to do so and supported by our team. Additional funds raised in the future will be used to set up further Learning Centres in selected areas throughout Cairo once the first one is successfully up and running.