AFTERNOON OF HOPE AND JOY IN CAIRO

Last Thursday, smiles and excitement filled the corridors of the Al Shorouq school in Cairo. It was a very special day, in which Conexión Creando Puentes was able to distribute educational kits to 301 Gazan children who are part of the Pyramids of Hope Initiative. These children, students of the Education and Welfare Centre of Pyramids of Hope, now have in their hands essential tools to continue their education, despite the adversities they face as Palestinian refugees in Egypt.

A life-changing initiative

Pyramids of Hope was born out of the vision and effort of Maroua Abudagga, a Palestinian Egyptian lady with 28 years of experience in education and training. With a deep commitment to Gazan refugee children, this tireless leader has worked to open seven schools in different areas of Cairo, including Al Shorouq. Through her contacts and determination, she has secured agreements with private schools to allow Palestinian children to use their facilities from 15:30 to 19:30, Saturday to Thursday.

To date, more than 5,000 children are already enrolled in this educational programme, which started as a summer school and, after three months of intense activities, evolved into a full academic structure. The initiative is changing the lives of thousands of children and their families thanks to the support of a committed team of 75 educators, social workers and other participants. In addition to academic subjects, the programme also includes human and emotional development activities, essential for children who have lived through traumatic experiences.

Age-appropriate kits

The distribution of the education kits was an effort that took care of every detail. The 301 kits delivered were specifically designed to meet the educational needs of students from first through fourth grade. The materials ranged from books and notebooks to colouring books, puzzles and small balls, adapted to the different ages and educational levels of the children:

First primary (98 students): included books for learning to write letters in Arabic and English, colouring books with words in both languages, notebooks, pencils, pens, pastels, erasers, pencil sharpeners, a ruler, a puzzle and a small ball.

• Second primary (72 students):contained simple Arabic books, English vocabulary books, notebooks, colours, pencils, pens, pencils, puzzles and similar items.
• Third primary (71 students):added stories in Arabic and English and books focusing on human development.

Fourth primary (60 students): included more storybooks and human development books, with a focus on enriching learning and imagination.

All kits, regardless of level, contained a little something extra that delighted the children: jelly candies.

A gift full of meaning

The distribution was not only a surprise for the children, but also an emotionally charged occasion. Many children could not contain their joy at receiving the kits, while others shed tears as they remembered their loved ones lost in the war in Gaza. Some children expressed that they had never had new materials to study with before, which made this moment especially meaningful for them. For the Conexión CP volunteers and the Pyramids of Hope team, it was a bittersweet moment that reinforced our commitment to them.

In addition, we are exploring new ways to support children who have remembered their deceased relatives, with the aim of providing them with the emotional support and opportunities they so desperately need to overcome their losses.

Making the most of resources

In this project, every euro counts. One of our volunteers in Cairo was in charge of going across markets for the best prices without compromising the quality of the materials. This process not only ensured that each kit was complete, but also maximised the number of children who benefited. We also made the decision to deliver the kits directly to the children, rather than to their families, to avoid logistical challenges, as many of the families live in widely dispersed areas of the city. This ensured that each child received their own kit, which also reinforced their sense of belonging and personal joy.

Looking to the future

This experience fills us with hope and motivates us to move forward. The distribution of these education kits is just one small step in a much larger effort to give Gazan children the opportunity to dream, learn and build a better future. We are also exploring ways to provide additional support to children who have lost their parents in the war, with the aim of offering them emotional support and new opportunities.

Thanks to the support of our donors and sponsors, we are confident that we can continue to make a positive impact on their lives. We invite everyone to join us in this cause, whether through donations, volunteering or spreading the word. Every little bit adds up to build bridges of hope in the heart of Cairo. Together we can make a difference in the lives of these children, who deserve a future full of opportunities.

[Translated from Spanish]

16th December 2024