Supporting Early Childhood Education

Program: Education

Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten is possible because of global partnership. Since 2019, 1for3 has brought together Palestinian and US educators to build & support the development of child-focused learning. Together, they build curricula, teaching methods & new offerings of student support. Opened in 2021 & located on the ground floor of the Lajee Center in the UN-run Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, West Bank, Zahrat Al-Yasmeen kindergarten provides a pre-school education for children from two UN-run camps.

Data Points

  • There are three classes of between 25-30 children each: KG1 serves 4-year-olds; KG2 serves 5-year-olds.

  • It is a safe & secure place for children to learn about their world in a nurturing environment.

  • 7 teachers, 2 directors & other support staff provide teaching & nurture. They guide & support children to achieve academic, social & creative competencies with a comprehensive program centered on nature, culture & music.

  • A child graduating from the program is prepared intellectually & socially to enter primary school & to engage constructively with family & community.

  • Parents are encouraged to participate in the education of their child.

  • Classroom learning is supported by firsthand involvement in folk dancing, gardening, recycling & health education.

  • An international advisory committee provides guidance on funding, construction, curriculum & pedagogy.

  • It is the only kindergarten in Bethlehem that incorporates students with special needs into the standard classroom setting.

Leadership

  • Beverly Wispelwey is an experienced teacher of 3-to-9 year-olds. Her particular educational work has been focused on teaching & curriculum development for 3-to-6 year-olds.

  • Hubert Murray is an architect with experience working on projects in the United States, Europe, Africa & the Middle East. His portfolio includes public housing, schools & colleges, highway infrastructure, university campus & healthcare planning & urban design. He has taught in London, Nairobi & Boston, & is a guest critic at schools of architecture in Boston. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
    With 1for3, a US-based non-profit organization, he has helped build & continues to support the Zahrat Al-Yasmeen kindergarten in Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine. Hubert also writes on architecture, the urban consequences of climate change & social issues. He works on art constructions in his back yard.

  • Katherine Hanna is an American-born Palestinian. She is a recently retired public school educator in Massachusetts with 26 years of experience in early elementary grades & literacy. She is co-founder of the Boston Palestine Film Festival where she volunteered for eleven years as film program curator & finance manager. Through her continued online presence @palestinefilm, she has helped to support new Palestinian film festivals & connect the community around the world. Since 2019, Katherine has been working with the education team of US based non-profit 1for3.org to build & support Zahrat Al-Yasmeen kindergarten in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, Palestine. She collaborates with other US-based teachers & the Palestinian teaching team to support an innovative inclusive, play-based & trauma-informed curriculum. Katherine enjoys being a grandmother & traveling.

  • Magi Fatouleh is the director of the Zahrat Al-Yasmeen kindergarten. A lifelong resident of Beit Jala Magi brings years of experience in early childhood education to her work. As director, Magi has advanced a campaign to expand the size of the school, student enrollment, teacher training & diversification of the curriculum. It includes classroom-based and community-based activities & learning.

  • Betsy Abrams is a social worker, social activist & an American born Jewish woman of Ashkenzi heritage. She brings to this project passion, connection & decades of experience working with young children, their parents & teachers. Betsy works at the intersection of trauma, racism & resilience drawing upon the strengths of both community & individuals & their capacity for connection, compassion, creativity & healing.