By Wendy Whiting Blome, PhD | Project Leader
The Palestinian kids that the Spafford Children’s Center (SCC) serves struggle in the best of times—and these aren’t the best of times. They may have learning disabilities or they may have experienced trauma. When schools closed due to the Coronavirus, the few online courses offered for Palestinian children were not designed for kids with special needs—but the services at SCC are. One professional teacher with two or three children in a class allows for targeted, individualized instruction. Counseling with a social worker and assessments by a psychologist help the child work on the issues that get in the way of learning. And sessions for mothers help them learn how to support their children and reinforce the gains made. Sounds pretty good? It is! Comparing results from pre-tests and post-tests show that kids make remarkable progress quickly.
Please give through GlobalGiving at https://goto.gg/31839
The buildings at the Spafford Children’s Center have been disinfected; the teachers, therapists, and social workers have protective equipment; and the children are returning. The parents know their children are behind in school and they are desperate for help for their kids.
Consider the situation Palestinian kids have long endured: overcrowded classrooms, fear of police and military personnel, house demolitions in their communities, and trauma no child should have to suffer on a regular basis. The Coronavirus is accentuating these issues, and Palestinian kids are falling farther behind. They need your help now.
Think about eight-year-old Achmed. His learning challenges and the 45 students in his regular class meant he was constantly distracted and he thought he couldn’t learn. Once he came to SCC everything was different. There he and another boy worked with one teacher. She was encouraging yet demanding. She told him he could do the math problems—and he could, with a bit of help and focus. Then the pandemic hit. He missed months of instruction through his school and at SCC. But now SCC is open again and he is back—needing the help of his SCC teachers more than ever.
The Spafford Children’s Center has a recognized expertise in helping children and families through a wholistic approach that includes educational, therapeutic, and recreational services with a plan designed for each child. In classes of two or three children they learn English, Arabic, and math at their speed and with recognition of their needs. The teachers focus on what the child can do—not what he or she can’t do, shouldn’t do, or won’t do.
You will never make a more effective and efficient donation; all of your donation to American Friends of the Spafford Children’s Center (AFSCC) goes directly to the SCC. The AFSCC board members cover the costs of newsletter printing, postage, and other expenses. AFSCC is an all-volunteer organization so we pay no salaries or rent—your contribution goes to services for Palestinian kids and families. Please give as generously as you can through GlobalGiving at https://goto.gg/31839.
By Wendy Whiting Blome, PhD | Project Leader
By Wendy Whiting Blome, PhD | Project Leader
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can recieve an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
