Democratic Palestine : 33 (ص 24)
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- Democratic Palestine : 33 (ص 24)
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teachers and supervisors working in the
kindergartens set up by _ different
associations and organizations. The
center is affiliated with the Kanafani
Foundation, but has its own board, of
which I am a member, for planning the
program. Besides raising the level of
preschool education, this center also
has the function of increasing coopera-
tion between the different
kindergartens in different places in
Lebanon. We hope we can contribute to
greater unity in the curriculum and at-
titudes of these kindergartens in this
way.
COPING WITH THE WAR
SITUATION
Acutally in Lebanon, all children live
in fear, and this was the case even
before the 1982 invasion. Almost all
our facilities have been damaged at
some time; some have been completely
destroyed. In times of war in one area,
the Palestinian camps of another area
will become overcrowded from families
looking for a safe place.
Prior to 1978, we had a project for a
children’s home in Burj Al Shemali in
South Lebanon. After the 1978 Israeli
invasion, we were not really able to use
this home. In the 1982 invasion, the
Rashidieh kindergarten was destroyed,
as was the one in Burj Al Barajneh,
while the one in Ain Al Hilweh was
badly damaged. As of 1982, 42
kindergartens and nurseries had been
established by different groups. We
were able to carry out repairs quite
quickly after 1982, but this was not the
case for all. Repairs were still being
made in 1984 for the damage inflicted
in 1982, and since then there have been
other sieges and destruction affecting a
number of the camps.
Now in 1989, there are more than 50
kindergartens and _ nurseries
operating. I think it is very impor-
tant to stress that in spite of all the war
and destruction in Lebanon, it was
possible to establish kindergartens,
clinics and other social institutions.
This was the case all during the civil
war, and even after 1982. Life still goes
on. When a kindergarten is hit, you
have to find a way to repair or rebuild
it. Generally, it is possible to get
financial support for this, but due to
24
the situation, it is sometimes impossible
to bring in building materials in large
quantities for repair. For example, in
Rashidieh, we were not able to do the
necessary repairs, but then with the
help of UNRWA, we got building
materials, so the kindergarten is now
repaired and operating. Most
organizations have put a great deal of
effort into reestablishing their
kindergartens.
In view of the situation, all the
kindergartens should have shelters, but
this is not always possible if one is
established in an abandoned house.
However, if we build the building
ourselves, we make sure that there is a
shelter. Also, in times of war, we don’t
have all the children at the
kindergarten, because the parents are
afraid to send them.
As part of our relief work for
displaced families in the war situation,
we started mobile kindergartens for
more than 150 children in the Sidon
area in December 1986. The staff
brought materials with them and
worked with the children in the areas
where their families were temporary
living. Meals were also provided, and
this program continued until most of
the displaced families were able to
return to their former houses in the
camps.
In 1985, we started a project for
home-based kindergartens in the Sidon
area. In this program, a young mother
or girl receives seven or eight children in
her home. We found young mothers
who had no income; perhaps her hus-
band is dead, and she has small children
of her own. In this way, she can take
care of her own children and receive
Others, while also having an income.
We now have five of these home-based
kindergartens operating, and we con-
sider it a successful project. The mother
comes to the regular kindergarten for a
month or two to see how we work and
get training before she starts the work
in her home. We have continuous
follow-up, and there is a supervisor
who buys materials, and spends a week
at each home-based kindergarten in
turn.
FUNDING
The Ghassan Kanafani Cultural
Foundation is a non-profit organiza-
tion and that is why we have to ask
people and organizations to help us.
The children do pay a symbolic fee if
the family can afford it. Of course, we
don’t refuse a child if the family cannot
pay; on the contrary, we take the
children from hardship families first.
But most families can pay a small
amount, and we have always felt it is
important that they pay something if
they can to increase family involvement
with the kindergarten, so that they feel
a sense of responsibility.
Our main funding, however, comes
from soliciting contributions from in-
dividuals and organizations abroad. It
has been possible to raise funds from
international NGOs for establishing
kindergartens. The project for
physically handicapped in Mar Elias is
sponsored by the Swedish Save the
Children, while the project for mentally
handicapped in Ain Al Hilweh is spon-
sored by the Norwegian Save the
Children. In both cases, these
organizations paid the costs of building
and establishing the project, as well as
covering maintenance. We were very
lucky in this case, as it is generally very
difficuit to get organizations to cover
operating costs. Our main sustenance
since 1975 is fundraising, and we get
contributions from many friends in
Europe. Of course, we always need
more contributions. Having a con-
tinuous program means that con-
tinuous funding is needed. We have to
pay basic salaries, and with the
economic situation in Lebanon, these
should actually be increased, but until
now we haven’t been able to do so. We
as a foundation are a source of
employment for many people as well as
serving the chidren.
Anyone wanting more information
about the Foundation or wishing to
make a donation is encouraged to write
to its address:
GKCF
P.O. Box 135/375 Chouran
Beirut, Lebanon
The Foundation’s bank account is as
follows:
Acc. no. 67 00800/301971-3
Arab Bank
Ras Beirut
Lebanon @
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