1for3 is a US-based NGO that works to alleviate suffering among Palestinian refugees. Despite global challenges and recent funding cuts to UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority, their work continues to be a beacon of hope to Palestinian refugees in the communities where they work.
The Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine is a proud supporter of 1for3's work. If you would like to make a tax-exempt donation, please go here.
Here are highlights from their most recent newsletter:
Environment, Health, & Education Come Together for Aida’s Youngest: Planning a Preschool
In late July, while teachers around the world were beginning to make their “Back to School” plans, a multitalented group from the U.S. and Aida Camp did intensive planning for a long dreamed of preschool to be established at Lajee Center. From the US, two teachers and an architect joined 1for3 leaders to meet with a team of five community leaders from Aida Camp for an eight-day retreat addressing all aspects of the school. The five Aida community members will lead the planning of the preschool and will also be among its long-term staff. Razan Awais, a team member from Aida, commented on her experience, “This project is very important to me because our refugee camp lacks a kindergarten, and this can improve our children in many aspects of life. We have to change [some elements of] our traditional way of teaching, and this will affect our children’s behaviors and actions in the future.”
The group examined the existing space, met with parents from Aida, received advice from educators from Bethlehem University, and talked to principals as they visited local preschools. They discussed how they would incorporate elements of all of Lajee Center’s programming for older children into the preschool, including from the library, the media unit, the health unit, the environment unit, and the music institute. The team continues to work on grant writing, architectural plans, and the curriculum. The preschool would serve approximately 50 children and employ about 12 people. (See photo below, “Brainstorming Together.”)
Needs Assessment Completed in Al-Walaja Village
This summer, Fatimah Shaikh, a graduate student at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, conducted an assessment of how 1for3 might continue work in Al-Walaja, a village that has seen waves of Israeli appropriation of land and displacement of residents. Interviews focused on the status of water and sewage with the aim of developing programs utilizing in-home water treatment units designed by the Palestinian organization ARIJ. These small units dramatically decrease the cost of using septic tanks. They generate fertilizer and water for agricultural use out of household wastewater. Explained Shaikh, “Such units…serve as a means to resist Israeli colonial practices by giving villagers control over their water usage and sources.” This is a small measure of dignity in crisis. As one interviewee from Al-Walaja remarked, “We like to live as other countries live, in cleanliness and safety. But no one is able to guarantee us that. In regard to water and sewage, Israel has its hands on all of it…We are an occupied nation.”
Shaikh also reflected on the process of working in Palestine and with Lajee youth. “My experience conducting interviews in Al-Walaja was extremely rewarding. First…the interviews with farmers, families, and service providers moved my thinking from the macro geopolitical situation to the micro daily life experiences of Palestinians. Second, because of the language barrier I had the privilege of working with young adults from Aida Camp. This aspect of the experience gave me the chance to see the immense capacity and passion Palestinians, particularly the younger generation, have in advocating and working for the advancement of the larger community.” (See photo below: A Typical Interview)
1for3 Leader Studies at Harvard
In July, Nashat Jawabreh of the Community Health Worker Program came from Palestine to the US for the first time to complete a certificate program at Harvard Medical School. The Global Health Delivery Intensive Program is a joint effort between Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School. The Harvard Center for Global Health Delivery - Dubai generously offered Jawabreh a full scholarship for this program. The Harvard GHDI Program was a perfect fit for Nashat, as it is specifically designed for global health practitioners actively working to improve the health of their communities.
Brainstorming together. Photo: Lagee Center at Aida Camp
A Typical Interview