"West Bank update."
My al–Mughayyir kindergarten fundraiser.
30 JULY—I am happy to report that the al–Mughayyir kindergarten GoFundMe campaign has raised $3,955 since I launched it less than one week ago. That amount will fully cover the cost of new playground equipment for the school.
The $6,000 that remains to be raised is needed for the greater expense of preparing the land for the playground. This work includes new soil, drainage, necessary upgrades to the wastewater collection system, concrete work, a covered seating area, fencing, and new artificial grass. Our partner organization, Hebron International Resource Network, is contributing an additional $3,300 to the $9,900 we are raising. This project is truly a collaborative partnership.
It has taken only 49 donors contributing amounts ranging from $5 to $500, to reach this milestone. With another 100 donors we should be able to bring this fundraiser to a close and begin breaking ground on the playground in time for the new school year that begins on 16 August.
In a text this morning, Warda Abu Assaf, the head of the kindergarten shared with me her thoughts on the importance of the playground. Because her English is minimal and my Arabic nonexistent, she used a translation program:
Kindergarteners need this playground so that they can master sports skills and so the girls can also enjoy their sports activities with comfort and enjoyment. Because the kindergarten is small, the children are deprived of the freedom to play and even lack beautiful toys for their building.
The new playground will provide a place for more creative experiences for the children. It will be used for all kinds of entertainment including celebrations, birthday parties, and plays. Its presence is also important because the village lacks a place for children’s games.
The playground will enable the kindergartners to release their physical energy in a positive way and it will bring laughter and joy into the hearts of our young children. We are grateful to you if you can provide us with assistance. With your wonderful help, we can provide the ideal place for our children.
Many times while traveling in the West Bank parents would say to me, “Our children deserve to be happy.” Or they would ask, “Why is it only our children that don’t get to be happy?” By helping the village build this playground we have the chance to bring happiness to a few of Palestine’s many deserving children. And to their parents as well.
To those of you who have already donated: Thank you! Shukran!
If you haven’t already donated you can do so here. All donations count—at whatever level you can afford—and are greatly appreciated by the villagers and everyone who is working hard to make this playground a reality.
You can also help by promoting this campaign. Please spread the word as widely as possible to your friends and family and on social media. You can link to the original fundraising announcement here. The GoFundMe campaign is here.
This is one small way each one of us can make a very big difference.
Thank you!