Hope Flowers in Bethlehem--please help peace bloom
Andrea Whitmore
Citizens for Justice in the Middle East announces its major initiative for
2007 is support of Hope Flowers School in Bethlehem, with the goal of
raising at least $10,000 through Kansas City-area donors by October. Through
this initiative, we also hope to educate the Kansas City public about the
need to end the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine so that Palestinian
and Israeli children no longer need live in fear of one another.
Today, the “little town of Bethlehem” is imprisoned behind a gigantic
concrete wall and a winding electronic fence, most of it not on Israel’s
border, but deep in Palestinian land. Surrounding checkpoints restrict
freedom of movement for Bethlehem residents--Christian and Muslim alike.
Every day, the wall destroys more homes, farms, and businesses, leaving the
people without resources and often with only a tent in which to live.
Bethlehem residents are almost entirely cut off from the rest of the world
and even from their own families and friends. Farms and animals on the other
side of the wall are impossible to tend. It is difficult to leave even to
obtain medical care, or to attend school or university
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2007/04/08/AR2007040800924.html).
Because the United States and Israel withhold funds from the Palestinian
government, many public schools are closed.
Yet hope continues to bloom at Hope Flowers School, a private K-7 school
located on a hillside of South Bethlehem. At Hope Flowers, 220 girls and
boys, Muslims and Christians, receive a progressive Montessori-based
education.
The academic curriculum includes English, Arabic, mathematics, science,
history and current events, computers, the arts, and citizenship.
Extracurricular activities include agriculture, environmental care, drama,
dance, folklore dancing, handicrafts, music and performing arts. The school
also runs trauma-recovery programs for children and their families.
Until recently, Hope Flowers School hosted Israeli teachers who came to
teach Hebrew and Israeli culture, but the Israeli government now forbids
such visits. Israeli and Palestinian children may no longer visit one
another, though they continue to email in hopes they soon can meet again.
Children at Hope Flowers are taught to value their own dignity while
affirming the value of others. They draw peace symbols on a banner to send
to their American friends. Their attitude and enthusiasm, their openness to
other cultures, reflect the stable, caring environment and the sound
psychological counseling that HFS provides.
The children learn to uphold their rich Palestinian culture and to maintain
their dignity under conditions that are difficult to imagine. For instance,
on July 28, 2005, three homes near the school were demolished. The entirely
non-violent demonstration that day showed the impact of the school in the
community and attests to the values instilled in the children and families.
Children see such demolitions often. Those homes are but three of the twelve
slated for demolition due to the construction of the Wall/Fence for the
purpose of “protecting” the settlement of Efrat as it daily encroaches
closer to the Hope Flowers School property.
The school’s Israeli friends were among those who helped when the school
cafeteria received demolition orders in 1999 and again in 2003. Each time,
Israeli and international friends, advocacy from U.S. congressional
representatives, and legal action produced a “stay” on the demolition. Every
day, the children wonder if their cafeteria will be reduced to rubble to
make way for the infamous wall.
Citizens for Justice in the Middle East has joined Friends of Hope Flowers
School, a national organization that includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, and
others in support and advocacy for the children and the school. Friends of
Hope Flowers plans to raise $100,000 in October by sponsoring school
director Ibrahim Issa’s visits to cities across the United States. The money
will help pay teacher salaries and buy much-needed equipment at the school.
Watch for news of our June kickoff fundraising event—join us and help send a
clear message that in Kansas City, the children have FRIENDS who care.
Andrea