A preschool for Beit Sahour

Reggio Emilia, 11 february 2025

The Reggio Emilia-based NGO Volontari nel Mondo RTM and Fondazione Reggio Children - Centro Loris Malaguzzi - ETS are launching a fundraising campaign to support the start-up of the kindergarten at the ‘Peter Nettekoven’ school in Beit Sahour (Palestine) and the training of teachers.

In order to guarantee educational rights and support the efforts of working mothers, the Greek Catholic Patriarchate has decided to open a preschool in the ‘Peter Nettekoven’ school, which welcomes children from all walks of life and religious backgrounds. Located in Beit Sahour, east of Bethlehem in the West Bank, it is one of the first schools with which RTM and Reggio Emilia's 0-6 education system have collaborated in Palestine since 2015 in cooperation projects in favour of inclusive and quality early childhood education, such as the ‘AEPIC’ and ‘PACE’ programmes. However, in the current dramatic Palestinian context, the right to education is severely restricted due to the ongoing conflict.

The nursery premises have already been partially furnished and, once completed, will be able to accommodate up to 60 children (0- 3 years). Teacher training is also planned, which will take place in several stages, partly online and partly face-to-face. Central will be the week-long study visit to Reggio Emilia in June 2025, during which a meeting with Palestinian teachers open to Reggio citizenship is planned. The course will be implemented in close cooperation and with the support of the E-35 Foundation.

As Andrea Guerrini (President of RTM) explains, ‘the school turned to the “Friends of Reggio” because it needs material support and in the current situation support is of great importance. We decided to join the appeal and relaunch it together with the partners who collaborated with us in Palestine as a sign of closeness and solidarity towards this people: a nest that allows the youngest to grow peacefully and mothers to pursue paths of autonomy, represents a sign of hope for the future.’

‘We gladly participate in the fundraising campaign for the opening of the crèche in Beit Sahour, a reality we have worked with in Palestine,’ says Cristian Fabbi, Director General of the Fondazione Reggio Children.

‘In this way we want to start supporting courageous realities that promote the quality of life of children and communities by putting education at the centre. Little big revolutions from below: being able to guarantee a nursery school in Beit Sahour means profoundly improving the lives of 60 children and their families’.

How to contribute:

Transfer to bank account in the name of Volunteers in the World RTM - IBAN: IT54 C 05034 12800 000000045284

(Reason for payment: Liberal donation in favour of RTM ETS - Nest of Beit Sahour)

Online donation on the RTM website: https://www.rtm.ong/dona-ora/

To find out more visit the fundraising page.

To learn more about the ‘AEPIC’ and ‘PACE’ projects in Palestine click here.

Info:

Volunteers in the World RTM - www.rtm.ong

Samanta Lanzi - samanta.lanzi@rtm.ong - Tel 0522 514205

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