Help Traumatized Palestinian Children

The Coronavirus pandemic has gripped the world and closed most businesses and nonprofits. The Spafford Children’s Center is no exception. The main facility in East Jerusalem, inside the Old City between Damascus and Herod’s Gates, and the SCC in Bethany in the West Bank are both closed by order of the Israeli and Palestinian authorities.

Early in March, both Centers were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in hopes that classes and activities could continue, but by March 16 the centers were shuttered. As of March 25, the Israeli authorities proclaimed that people must not venture more than 330 feet (100 meters) from their home unless they had an accepted reason. SCC helped spread the word on the importance of hand washing and social distancing via the Facebook page and direct messages to families.

Initially teachers and administrators hoped that some classes could continue online, but the lack of connectivity among poor Palestinian families made that unworkable. Now the teachers check-in with their students by phone, if possible, to make sure everyone is safe and well.

We all look forward to the day when the SCC can reopen. Ms. Shahd Souri, the CEO of SCC, expects that the demand for the English, Arabic, and math small group tutoring offered by SCC will be even greater after the pandemic. The children will have missed months of schooling and will need the individualized attention of SCC teachers to catch up. Additionally, she expects the supportive services SCC offers including speech and occupational therapy, plus the joy of art and music classes, will be needed as children and families have been living in small spaces with the strain of unemployment and the fear of illness.

Donations now are necessary to maintain the centers and prepare for the eventual, hopefully soon, reopening. Please support the American Friends of the Spafford Children’s Center at https://goto.gg/31839.

Wishing everyone health and safety in this time of global crisis.