“We must tell our stories and educate our children, for memory is the first step to freedom.”

– Raja Shehadeh

Back to School – Facts & the West Bank

This September, the return to school looks very different for children across Palestine.

Gaza: Education in Ruins

Months of war have left Gaza’s education system in devastation. Between 90% and 97% of schools have been destroyed, damaged, or require major reconstruction. More than 720,000 students have had their learning completely interrupted –many for the second consecutive academic year.

Schools are no longer safe havens. Many have been turned into overcrowded shelters, while others have been directly attacked. Since October 2023, more than 13,000 students have been killed , tens of thousands injured, and entire generations left without access to safe education. The right to learn—so basic and universal—has become a daily struggle for survival.

West Bank: Financial Hardship and Disrupted Learning

In the West Bank, the crisis is different but no less urgent. Employment has plummeted by nearly a quarter , and more than 140,000 workers have lost steady pay due to restrictions and withheld revenues. Families are struggling to cover school fees, uniforms, and supplies, placing heavy stress on parents while students carry the weight of uncertainty.

Education as Hope

Yet, in both Gaza and the West Bank, the determination to learn remains unshaken. Education continues to symbolize resilience, dignity, and the belief in a brighter future—even in the darkest times.

Spotlight: Generation to Generation – Junior

Amid so much destruction and uncertainty, Holy Land Trust is launching the Generation to Generation – Junior project in partnership with Talitha Kumi School in Beit Jala—starting this September.

A group of young female students (grades 9–10) will participate in weekly workshops and creative sessions that provide a safe space to explore resilience, identity, and storytelling. The initiative will culminate in a bilingual booklet and exhibition documenting the stories of inspiring women from their communities.

By nurturing these young voices, the program builds leadership, preserves women’s narratives, and strengthens intergenerational bonds—transforming the trauma of today into the hope of tomorrow.

Empowering Youth Leaders Through Skills and Storytelling

20 Palestinian trainers had the privilege of participating in a training of trainers activity as part of the Voices for Change project, which is generously funded by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, supporting our ongoing efforts to empower youth and strengthen community engagement.

This was the final training session that we provided for the trainers to enhance their capacity on Nonviolence , Leadership and the Trauma-Informed Approach , led by Teddy Frank, an international expert in facilitation and community engagement. The training was dynamic, inspiring, and filled with practical tools we can immediately apply in our work.

Teddy’s unique approach—combining deep knowledge with warmth and humor—created an atmosphere of trust and openness. The sessions encouraged creativity , critical thinking , and self-reflection , while focusing on essential skills such as inner peace, trauma-informed care, breaking cycles of violence, well-being, and self-care.

Through hands-on exercises, participants also developed new strengths in leadership, group dynamics, and effective communication. What stood out most was Teddy’s ability to adapt to the group’s needs and energy, ensuring everyone felt engaged and valued.

It was more than a training; it was a transformative journey of learning and growth , and we are deeply grateful for this opportunity.

We invite you to support our ongoing work in Palestine. Your contribution sustains programs that empower youth, uplift families, and strengthen communities. Together, we can ensure that resilience and hope continue to grow, even in the most challenging times.

In Palestine, every act of giving becomes an act of resistance, a step toward dignity and hope.

Elias Deis,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This September, we chose “Unity” , because it captures the heart of Holy Land Trust’s work and the reality in Palestine. In the face of war, restrictions, and economic hardship, unity becomes a source of strength. Through advocacy , we amplify Palestinian voices; through transformation , we turn trauma into hope; and through empowerment , we give communities the tools to stand with dignity. Unity is what binds these efforts together, reminding us that only when we stand as one can justice and peace take root.

Holy Land Trust

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