ujia merom hagalil

TRANSFORMINGLIVES

How educational transformation is offering hundreds of children a better future.

Merom HaGalil Educational Programme

January 2016

Merom HaGalil is a disadvantaged, isolated region in the upper eastern Galil. Since 2007, UJIA has been working with partners to build new schools and centres, and create educational programmes, that have taken some of Israel’s most underprivileged children, and given them a real chance at a bright future.

I hope you will consider supporting this work.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Wegier

UJIAJanuary 2016

www.ujia.org/merom-hagalil-educational-programme

Merom HaGalil is made up of 24 rural communities, with a population of about 13,000 people. The region is remote and beset with a raft of problems, including low income, high unemployment, social problems, crumbling buildings and an underfunded educational system.

When UJIA first got involved with improving life in Merom HaGalil, children were on average two years behind the national average in their schooling – a shocking reality.

UJIA has responded by launching a number of educational initiatives aimed at upgrading physical infrastructure and improving educational programming to give children the chance for a better future. We are successfully creating an educational continuum from pre-school to higher education.

At the heart of our approach is a strong commitment to narrow the inequalities between Israel’s centre and periphery and enable children from underprivileged

backgrounds to realise their full potential. This is essential for achieving opportunity, stability and prosperity in the Galil and throughout Israel.

UJIA believes that only with concerted and comprehensive strategic initiatives can permanent changes be made to the region.

SUPPORTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Lebanon

Israel

Jordan

Merom HaGalil

UJIAJanuary 2016


At the heart of the Merom HaGalil Educational and Community Campus (MHEC), which UJIA has developed with its partners, is Hemed School. In 2007, it was on the verge of being closed down. 130 pupils shared just one working toilet in a building not fit to be a school. Teaching standards fell well below an acceptable standard and children were being deprived of the chance to better themselves through education.

UJIA oversaw the complete renovation of the site, transforming it into the sort of place where children can learn and be inspired. The state-of-the-art school includes five laboratories (English, arts, computers, technology and sciences), a multifunctional sports pitch and outside science and nature areas.

The educational programming was also overhauled to ensure that the quality of learning matches the new physical environment.

The renovated and expanded primary school is now home to 540 children in eighteen classrooms.

THE LORD STEINBERG HEMED TORANI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOOL

IN XXXX, HEMED SCHOOL WAS ON THE VERGE OF BEING CLOSED DOWN. 130 PUPILS SHARED JUST ONE WORKING TOILET.


UJIAJanuary 2016

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMMES

UJIA SUPPORTS OVER 1,100 YOUNG CHILDREN IN 13 DAY-CARE CENTRES AND 32 KINDERGARTENS.

UJIA supports over1,100 young children (0-6) in 13 day-care centres and 32 kindergartens across Merom HaGalil.

We have also created a hub for intervention by building Lionel & Hilary Black Early Childhood Centre, based at the MHEC. This is a place where parents can bring their children for support with a wide range of problems, including speech disorders, psychological problems and other learning difficulties.

Services include:

• Diagnostic and preventative services for toddlers with learning difficulties within their home communities and in pre-school settings, including crèches and kindergartens. The early detection, diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for children with cognitive and emotional disabilities are all essential in making a positive difference in early childhood development.

• Parent Mentoring Programmes Weekly workshops are offered on ‘play as a learning tool,’ to encourage child development and improved communication between parents and their young children.

• Training for Crèche and Kindergarten staff in a number of issues including, occupational therapy, how to spot undiagnosed learning difficulties and facilitating communication.

• Gan Ofek A special needs kindergarten providing occupational therapy, runs three days a week

• Gan Magdim An award-winning child enrichment centre focusing on ecology, environmental stewardship and sustainable management of resources

Image: Zeimusu/wikipedia

UJIAJanuary 2016


PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION

THE PROGRAMME PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN BEYOND WHAT SCHOOL TEACHERS CAN OFFER AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES PUPILS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.

As well as the early childhood activities, UJIA is working to improve the educational achievement of primary school children, supporting five different primary schools in the region – three Jewish, one Druze and one Circassian.

Programmes for 1,177 primary school pupils include:

• Therapeutic intervention for children with cognitive and emotional difficulties Over 550 primary school pupils undergo psychological assessment and receive diagnostic and preventive services. The programme provides critical support to children beyond what school teachers can offer and significantly improves pupils’ academic achievements.

• Bridging Educational, Social and Developmental Gaps Over 300 children receive support in the core subjects (Mathematics, English and Hebrew) through smaller study groups (up to six children). The weakest pupils gain from a more individualised learning structure, which builds positive self-esteem.

• Extracurricular enrichment activities All pupils at the five primary schools in the regional council participate in enrichment activities (e.g. Torah, music, dance, arts, IT and ecology) according to each school’s character. The stimulating activities broaden the children’s horizons and create a positive attitude to school.

As well as:

• Subsidised Learning Disability Assessments for post-primary school children learning outside the region.

Image: Fotokannan/wikipedia

UJIAJanuary 2016


AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

The Merom HaGalil Educational Programme is succeeding at transforming lives, with most children of primary school age now reaching or exceeding the national average benchmark in the core subjects of Hebrew language, English and Mathematics.

We are consistently:

• Strengthening primary education with additional individual child support for core subjects, extracurricular activities and support for pupils with special needs

• Improving educational achievement through individualised learning support

• Giving vulnerable children a healthier, happier and more fulfilled future

UJIA is also delighted that after seven years, management of the Educational Programme has been moved from the Project Management Authority (UJIA and the Rashi Foundation) to become part of the Merom HaGalil Regional Council. Although UJIA and Rashi will continue to monitor the programme for its effectiveness, day-to-day running will be overseen by the local regional council, as part of its educational remit.

ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS HAVE MUCH IMPROVED...REACHING OR EXCEEDING THE NATIONAL AVERAGE BENCHMARK.

UJIAJanuary 2016


OUR REQUEST OF YOU

UJIA invests over *£300,000 per year in supporting education in Merom HaGalil.

The Merom HaGalil Educational Programme has made and will continue to make a huge impact upon generations of children and their parents in Merom HaGalil.

It is living proof that a concerted, strategic approach to educational intervention can yield dramatic and lasting results. This programme truly changes lives.

We have made the major capital investment. We need to insure that the return on that investment is maximised, through a much lower, but crucial level of programme support.

We would like to ask you for a donation of £XXXX in order for us to help fund our £300,000 commitment.

I hope that you will consider helping us to make a difference through The Merom HaGalil Educational Programme.

*Includes 15% UJIA Programme Management

UJIAJanuary 2016


Moran grew up in Kiryat Ata near Haifa and moved to Merom HaGalil two years ago. But her husband walked out on her six months ago, leaving her alone with their five-year-old son, Eliav.

“From that moment my son started misbehaving,” says Moran. “He started hitting. He became very aggressive. The kindergarten said he was a danger to himself and to the other children.

Eliav was assessed by a psychologist and sent to the Early Childhood Centre.

“He’s having therapy for emotional problems and also being treated by the occupational therapist. He’s only been with them for about six weeks, but you can already see the results. It’s amazing. He’s a different child.

“He doesn’t really know the days of the week but when it gets to Tuesday morning he wakes me up and says: ‘Mum, it’s Hadass and Sharon day, get up quick.’ He’s changed so much. It’s like they gave my son back to me.”

“At kindergarten, the other children wouldn’t come near Eliav because he would hit them. Now they sit and play with him. In the morning they gather round him to say hello. It’s really heart-warming. Before, he would just sit there alone.”

CASE STUDY

HE’S CHANGED SO MUCH. IT’S LIKE THEY GAVE MY SON BACK TO ME.

UJIAJanuary 2016

United Jewish Appeal is a registered charity in England and Wales No.1060078 and in Scotland No. Sc 039181. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 3295115. Registered office: 1 Torriano Mews, London NW5 2RZ. For a definition of terms regarding Israel and Judaism, please visit www.ujia.org/definitions

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