BRIDGE BUILDING - ON THE FRONT LINE

HOPE FLOWERS SCHOOL – Report Summer 2006

Peace and Democracy – are the twin themes of Hope Flowers School in the Al Khader district of the West Bank City of Bethlehem.

Today this modern independent private school, founded in 1984 by Hussein Ibrahim Issa and supported by Jerusalem Peacemakers UK, engages the hearts, minds and souls of Muslims, Christians and Jews.

And unlike any school in the UK it is situated in an area where the front line of conflict is part of everyday life. Despite over three years of court action and protests from various countries and its peoples, including the US State Department, the prospect of their school cafeteria being demolished to make way for the great “Security Barrier” continues. If the Security Barrier is built nothing must remain within 150 metres each side of that structure.

Our visit to Hope Flowers School in June 06 brings us face to face with the realities of everyday living. Unmade roads full of potholes, a bulldozed house, and suspect power supplies mean nothing is taken for granted. The school’s ageing computer suite and mini bus are crying out to be replaced. Fighting for financial survival, meagre stores of stationery barely keep up with demand. Whilst in the UK we usually have plentiful supplies of so many things, (pens, paper, crayons and books), the reality here is that living on the edge sharpens the priorities of what life is really all about.

Along with the essential core subjects, more than 200 students are taught here. At the weekends there is a bridge building community interfaith programme exploring the growing hope of making peace a lasting reality.

There are casualties in any conflict and the school often has to support traumatised children. Costing £20,000 a year the “Listen to my Voice” counselling programme provides a ‘listening ear’ for children and their families who try and come to terms with the violence.

In one incident a neighbouring house near the school was bulldozed, after soldiers killed its occupants who were thought to be terrorists. The fall out from that horror is one which we can only begin to try and imagine.

Co Director at Hope Flowers School Ghada Issa says, “We not only teach, but aim to help people build positive and lasting friendships for the future. We really want to have a peaceful future where everyone is safe. Peace and Democracy means people are valued for what they are and who they are”.

Hope Flowers School is supported by Jerusalem Peacemakers UK

Email contact : magdaleder@hotmail.com or davidbennett@blueyonder.co.uk

Website: www.hopeflowersschool.org

Produced in July 06 this leaflet is compiled by David Bennett a supporter of Jerusalem Peacemakers UK