Promoting Child Literacy in Palestine

To say that this has been a tough year is an understatement. Many of you know the difficult situation that families in Silwan have been facing for years, but this neighborhood of East Jerusalem has been getting exceptionally more violent and severe in the past few months. Who of us haven't been moved, one way or the other, with the picture of six-year old Ruqaya Nassar from Silwan sleeping in the car with her teddy bear after her father had to demolish their home with his own hands because the Israeli authorities will make him pay for the home demolishing as it’s considered to be part of their services. Hence having to demolish his home with his own hands to save some money. 

When I spoke with Bayan Abbasi, from Madaa Silwan Creative Center in Silwan, East Jerusalem, she told me, “All of the children from Batn el-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan are under the risk of forced displacement through home demolitions. 68 families are under the threat of their houses either being demolished or taken over by Israeli settlers. This is a lot, some of these children had to witness their homes being destroyed by Israeli bulldozers, others had to witness their parents tearing down their home in front of their eyes. Not to mention all the violence that accompanies such acts, of Israeli forces repressing people for protesting these home demolitions and evictions, to violently detaining Palestinians protesting against these violations … etc.”

Why are we telling you this when we’re supposed to provide updates on the Child Literacy project, it’s because this has a direct impact on children’s education and well-being. And with the deliberate neglect from the Israeli authority, in addition to its direct role in the deteriorating situation to begin with; centers like Madaa and its branch of the Edward Said Library are extremely important and carry the huge responsibility of attending to all these children and their needs within the context of the library’s purpose and mission. 

The library has become a safe haven for both the children and their families in these extremely hard times. While taking the necessary covid-19 measurements, the library has been able to turn into an educational center for children, whether through tutoring, or book discussions for various age groups, including the mothers group as well. The library is currently run by the amazing Abeer Abbasi, where she supports tutoring lessons to children who need to in various subjects, she also organizes English courses for the mothers group, coding and programming courses. At times the activities of the children’s group and the mothers’ intersect; including English lessons, book discussions, artistic activities … etc. Not to mention recently introducing the Film Lab initative with Power Group, that helps make Palestinian films available for the public and organizes for people to interact with Palestinian producers and film makers for discussions and Q&As after the film screening. 

We realize that none of this would compensate for the loss of a home and a lifetime of memories, but the Edward Said Library has become yet another home where the children of Silwan and their families can invest in, build new memories, and re-empower the sense of community and unity, until there is a time where no family has to lose its sense of belonging and most importantly; home.