EAPPI Standing in Solidarity with
Church Related Organizations/Projects
Evangelical Lutheran School of Beit
Sahour
The village of Beit Sahour is widely agreed to be the site where the angels
appeared to the Shepherds who were watching over their flocks the night of
Jesus’ birth.
Beit Sahour Evangelical Lutheran School is one of four Lutheran schools in
Palestine; a German missionary started this school in 1901. The day we visited, the children were not
available, but we learned a lot about the school. The annual tuition cost per student is
$650. The school continues to work with
individuals and institutions both here in Palestine and abroad seeking support for
a scholarship program for needy students.
This school has an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation
between teachers, students, and townspeople.
Their peace education program shares values such as democracy,
non-violent conflict resolution and human rights education.
The school administrators shared some of the problems they have from the rules of occupation when they plan to take students on a field trips. Everyone needs a permit from the Israeli government. Often they do not receive the permits requested.
There is an ongoing problem of three teachers who do not getting permits at all. We EA’s will follow up with Machsom Watch, an organization of Israeli women who are active against the occupation and work for human rights in the Occupied Territories.
.
At this school, English is taught from grade one and German
from grade three. My teammate and EA from
Germany, also a teacher, will be participating in some of the
German classes.
Recently a group of volunteers had painted one of the walls
of the schoolyard. Shawki Hawwash, the
principal and Salim Jaber, the assistant principal, are pictured by this colorful
wall.
If you want to be involved with the Beit Sahour Evangelical
Lutheran School, information may be obtained on their website: www.bs-lutheranschool.com.
