House of Hope Palestine

Like Nelson Mandela, House of Hope teachers know that education can change the world. Every day, we see our holistic, trauma-informed education touch the hearts and minds of our young students.
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Growing up under Occupation, our students witness and experience trauma, which can have detrimental effects. Our mission is to provide our students a safe space for healing and self-expression where they can learn and grow.
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By providing this safe space and educating the children with methods of Nonviolent Communication, our students learn the foundations of self-respect and respect for others. They learn the importance of caring for themselves and for their community.
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After more than 10 years, the impact of House of Hope in the local community is strongly felt, with close ties developed between families and more than 15,000 children impacted by House of Hope and its programs.
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A House of Hope education has a lasting impact not only on our students but also on everyone with whom they interact. In this way, House of Hope students are a source of light for all.

DONATE $200 TO WIN THIS PAINTING!
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To our global community of supporters ❤️ We are excited to share with you this beautiful painting by , a Jewish artist with autism from Southern California with dreams and hopes for access to peace, safety, and high-quality education for children living under the Occupation in the West Bank.
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Inspired by one of our most treasured photos of our students, Molly created this painting with the spirit of love and hope that we all share for the children of House of Hope School and the children of Palestine.
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If you donate $200 or more during our fundraising campaign, you are automatically entered into a raffle to win this incredible painting of an iconic photo of House of Hope students enjoying the magic of childhood.
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Your contribution means the world to the children at House of Hope Vision School and also to the young person who created this painting for the love of children everywhere.

Palestinian Independence Day! ❤️
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Last week, our students had a wonderful celebration for Palestinian Independence Day! Our students were excited to spend the day celebrating and taking pride in their Palestinian heritage 🇵🇸
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Students came to school wearing the traditional keffiyeh scarf and dresses with beautiful tatreetz embroidery ❤️ There was dabke dancing, the singing of Palestinian songs, and even henna painting! The students also enjoyed a traditional, delicious Palestinian lunch of za’atar and olive oil, labneh, tomatoes, and cucumber 🥰
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It was a beautiful day for the students of House of Hope to celebrate their Palestinian heritage and traditions!

There’s a fundamental truth that gives us hope – that together we can do extraordinary things. Join us on and let’s rally to support the children of Palestine! Give today! https://buff.ly/3MF3Biz

What Is Trauma-Informed Education? :: Supporting House of Hope

What is Trauma-Informed Education?
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Children are the least responsible when war and violence break out- but suffer the greatest consequences.
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Outside of the home, childhood toxic stress from traumatic events is best addressed in a healing school environment, like House of Hope.
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But how exactly do trauma-informed schools like House of Hope equip children to overcome toxic stress and leap back into the magic of childhood?
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Learn more in our new blog, "What is Trauma-Informed Education?"

What Is Trauma-Informed Education? :: Supporting House of Hope Children are the least responsible when war and violence break out- but suffer the greatest consequences.

Does Your Employer Match Donations?
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Did you know that thousands of companies match charitable donations made by their employees? If your employer offers such matches, we encourage you to maximize your gift to House of Hope by requesting a match today!
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To find us in your company's giving platform, please search for Supporting Hope with Tax ID 81-2842786, based in Minneapolis MN. Supporting Hope is the US-based nonprofit partner that processes donations to House of Hope Vision School, and you'll know you've found the right Supporting Hope when you see info about House of Hope Vision School in the charity profile.
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If you have any questions or need assistance with providing verification of your donation(s), please don't hesitate to contact us!
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Thank you for your support for House of Hope!

Overcoming Obstacles
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Every week, the children at House of Hope kindergarten have free play time to engage in various activities, such as this adventure course.
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Close to the ground, the children are safe, but they still practice their balancing skills.
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Teacher Zain spoke about the impact of this activity on the children:
“This activity takes place every Wednesday during the free play period, as it helps them train their muscles and also helps them to be stable. At first, it was not easy for the children, but during their practice of this activity several times, it became flexible, and each time we worked to increase the difficulty, and this is what motivates them and makes them feel happy.”
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This exercise is important not just for our young learners physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. They are learning that not only can they face challenges, but that they can overcome them.

Mawlid al-Nabi ✨
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At House of Hope, our students are both Muslim and Christian. We live, learn, and love in harmony. We also celebrate all of our student's major holidays and honor their beautiful heritages.
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Earlier this month, students at House of Hope Vision School celebrated Mawlid al-Nabi, the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
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The celebration included reading from the Quran and learning about the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Students brought in some candies and sweets to share with their classmates, and each grade performed a song in honor of the Prophet Muhammad.
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Here are some photos from the celebration!

New blackboards at House of Hope! 🍎
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We are so excited to once again have blackboards in the classroom at House of Hope! Blackboards are a recognizable feature of Waldorf classrooms. They provide students with a tactile learning environment, and allow teachers to create imaginative and beautiful designs which align with the current season of learning.
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Here, our students take turns practicing to write the letter “R” in Arabic. In this way, the whole class is engaged in learning together and supporting one another as they try something new ❤️

The global House of Hope Vision School community mourns the tragic passing of House of Hope Vision school student Majed Al Shweiki with great sadness.
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Majed, a beloved elementary student, was a cherished member of the House of Hope community. Majed was deeply loved by teachers, fellow students, and many international visitors at House of Hope. His beautiful smile brought joy to every classroom. He was a caring boy who inspired all around him to also act with courageous kindness and love.
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On behalf of all House of Hope Vision School supporters around the world, Supporting Hope sends our deepest condolences to the family of Majed Al Shweiki during this difficult time. Majed will never be forgotten, and we cherish his memory in our hearts.

"House of Hope Vision School embodies its name as a beacon of hope in the darkness.
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As a Palestinian in the diaspora, it is infinitely inspiring and valuable for me to be able to help Palestinian children heal and grow, even from afar.
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As the Director of Storytelling, I've been able to interview parents and teachers, and former students who all tell me the same thing. They tell me that the school ties the community together.
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And I've watched with my own eyes as their faces light up, as they tell me their memories and describe how they've blossomed as a result of the school's one-of-a-kind nurturing and curriculum." - Maryam Alwan, Supporting Hope Board Member and Director of Storytelling

Support Supporting Hope by shopping at AmazonSmile.

Did you know you can support House of Hope just by shopping on Amazon? Supporting Hope, the U.S. registered non-profit that supports House of Hope Palestine is now a registered charity on Amazon Smile!

Every time you shop AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Supporting Hope for House of Hope Palestine!

Find us by searching "Supporting Hope" on AmazonSmile!

Support Supporting Hope by shopping at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Supporting Hope. Support us every time you shop.

Back to school at House of Hope! 🌈
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Our students and teachers are back to school at House of Hope! We so happy to again have the classrooms full of activity, play, and learning!
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Some of our visiting friends, master Waldorf teachers from Germany, were still with us for the first days back in the classroom. Our students and teachers benefited from their guidance, and in turn they shared in our joy of learning together again ❤️

Time to celebrate! We just completed another successful international teacher training at House of Hope.
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To celebrate, we hosted a pot luck dinner and shared our joy and Palestinian culture with our visiting international training staff.
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We showed our gratitude to the 6 master Waldorf teachers from Germany who provided the two-week trauma-informed Waldorf teacher training at House of Hope.
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During the training, our teachers learned more about what trauma-informed education feels and looks like. We practiced new holistic approaches to educating children exposed to trauma.
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Thank you to everyone who helped make this training a success!

A visit to Walaja ❤️
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In these weeks, teachers from House of Hope and from Al-Quds University have been participating in a comprehensive, trauma-informed Waldorf teacher training from master Waldorf teachers. But the teachers visiting Palestine have also been learning, too.
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We brought our visitors to Walaja, a village in the West Bank that is facing imminent demolition by the Israeli Army. Here, our visitors learned firsthand about the experience of facing displacement and the demolition of one’s home, a common experience for those living in the West Bank. This includes our students, their families, and members of their communities.
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House of Hope exists to provide trauma-informed and healing, holistic education to children growing up under Occupation. We are thankful for all of our supporters, who like our visitors to Walaja, are bearing witness to the Palestinian experience and joining us in building bridges of solidarity, community, and hope ❤️

House of Hope Vision School is honored to be an international teacher training center in the West Bank.
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This year, 6 master Waldorf teachers from Germany made their 4th annual trip to House of Hope to conduct a two-week trauma-informed Waldorf teacher training for our staff!
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Access to trauma-informed, holistic teacher training is very limited in the West Bank due to freedom of movement restrictions that make it difficult for ideas and innovations to spread in many fields. House of Hope is a training hub for teachers seeking new professional skills for nurturing Palestinian students exposed to the trauma of Occupation.
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It is the hope of our co-founders Milad Vosgueritchian and Manar Wahhab that healing forms of education can spread throughout schools across Palestine.
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Thank you to the German Waldorf teacher trainers who are helping us increase equitable access to trauma-informed education in Palestine! ❤️

At House of Hope, we train trauma-informed, holistically minded teachers who understand the stress that children experience growing up under military occupation. Below, read House of Hope Teacher Duha Sarhan describe the impact that House of Hope has on its young Palestinian students.
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"There is so much collaboration and love among teachers and students. We create an environment where students can release their energy and stress. Because they come from occupied areas with lots of pressure, violence, and sometimes they see many difficult things.
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Palestine is a country under a real Occupation, and that’s why our students are under pressure. But at House of Hope we do things that free them from negative energy.
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That’s why we want to reduce the suffering of our students through activities that reduce stress. Either by music, art or learning by playing.
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For example, I teach them math through games, and I play with them so that they release suppressed energies and emotions.
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There is also love among the staff. There is no discrimination between Muslims and Christians. The atmosphere is so good. There is also no violence among children.
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Our school is the only one that if you ask anyone about violence here, they will say it is a nonviolent school. We all must love each other." - Duha Sarhan, Elementary School Teacher at House of Hope Vision School, West Bank, Palestine

Summer Camp at House of Hope! ☀️
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Our summer camp is well under way at House of Hope! Students have been enjoying a wide variety of activities with their schoolmates and teachers from arts and crafts to imaginative play, as well as visits to places of interest in the community!
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Our summer camp is an important continuation of the holistic education at House of Hope, providing students with a safe, stimulating, and social environment during the summer break from school.

Teacher Training at House of Hope 🌻
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Thanks to a generous grant from the British Shalom-Salam Trust , House of Hope Vision School was privileged to host a multi-day teacher trauma-informed Waldorf and NonViolent Communication training course.
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Access to trauma-informed teacher training is very limited in the West Bank due to freedom of movement restrictions that make it difficult for ideas and innovations to spread in many fields. House of Hope is a training hub for teachers seeking new professional skills for nurturing Palestinian students exposed to the trauma of Occupation.
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The training was attended not only by House of Hope teachers but also by students and faculty from Abu Dis University. It is the hope of our co-founders Milad Vosgueritchian and Manar Wahhab that healing forms of education, like trauma-informed Waldorf and NonViolent Communication, can spread throughout schools across Palestine.
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House of Hope teachers also learned new methods for teaching their students Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a healing approach to communication based on the principles of nonviolence. NVC gives our students the skills to understand and articulate their own needs while listening with empathy to others. NVC deepens students' connection with themselves and others- nourishing the healthy development of pro-social bonds that are threatened by the persistent stress and trauma of Occupation.
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Thank you to British Shalom-Salaam Trust for supporting our work! ❤️

Wisconsin woman works to bring trauma-informed education to Palestinian children

The Wisconsin Muslim Journal recently profiled Thea Lavin, a long-time Jewish- American supporter of House of Hope Vision School, who is photographed here during a visit to the school.
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In the article, Thea talks about why she feels called to stand with Palestinians, the impact of intergenerational trauma and fear on peacebuilding, and the transformative power of motherhood. Don't miss it!
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If you would like to visit House of Hope in the West Bank or volunteer remotely from the United States, DM us!
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We are a diverse movement of people like you, from around the world, giving what they can to show the world what can be done when we work together. ALL are welcome!

Wisconsin woman works to bring trauma-informed education to Palestinian children Wisconsin woman works to bring trauma-informed education to Palestinian children

Congratulations graduates! 🎓✨
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Congratulations to the 2022 graduates of House of Hope Vision School! We are so proud of our students, both from the kindergarten and from the 5th grade.
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Our students, whether have been with us for just one year or for their whole elementary education, have followed a curriculum of holistic learning and nonviolent communication. They have developed crucial skills to be citizens of the world, stewards of nature, and future leaders in their communities.
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We are so proud of our students - please join us in congratulating them on their success! ❤️

In Palestine, A New Story Beats

Don't miss our May Newsletter! Stay up to date on the inspiring work of the House of Hope community.

In Palestine, A New Story Beats We are delighted to introduce our newest House of Hope program for Palestinian teens and young adults: Palestine Beats! Thanks to a generous grant from Empathy for Peace, we launched this first-of-its-kind music program in Palestine. Palestine Beats helps young Palestinians growing up under Occ...

Yesterday, our students waved their Palestinian flags proudly, commemorating the Nakba. Nakba Day is a day of remembrance and mourning for Palestinians.
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Our students learn about their history, but for them, it is not only the past. Our students live under occupation today. They face realities we cannot imagine. That is why House of Hope exists: to provide trauma-informed, holistic education to young Palestinians. To create an environment where they feel safe to dream and to play, and an environment where they can grow, despite the challenges beyond our school gate.
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Our students also paid tribute to Shireen Abu Akleh, the celebrated Palestinian journalist who was beloved by the Palestinian people. Our students will remember Shireen’s legacy of bravery, honesty, and speaking truth to power. She will continue to inspire them and the other children of Palestine to raise their voices, to speak out against injustice, and to celebrate their joys and happy moments as well.
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At House of Hope, we teach our students to believe in their rights and to believe in their futures. They are the next generation of Palestinians, and they are going to make the world a better place, for everyone.

Eid celebrations! 🎉
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The students at House of Hope Vision School recently celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. The students participated in activities and had a celebration with their teachers and classmates 💛
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House of Hope Vision School is open to all Palestinians in the local community, and therefore marks celebrations for many Christian and Muslim holidays! This gives students from different backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate alongside their friends, and to learn from one another 💞

Eid celebrations! 🎉
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The students at House of Hope Vision School recently celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. The students participated in activities and had a celebration with their teachers and classmates 💛
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House of Hope Vision School is open to all Palestinians in the local community, and therefore marks celebrations for many Christian and Muslim holidays! This gives students from different backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate alongside their friends, and to learn from one another 💞

Our impact extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom. Studies show that what happens at school influences how a child acts at home.
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Below, read House of Hope Teacher Samar Halabia describe the pride she takes in nurturing each and every student's emotional wellness, in addition to their academic potential.
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"When I came to House of Hope three years ago, I felt finally protected from the world outside where it is all violence, noise, and problems.
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Despite that The Wall is not far, House of Hope has freedom and comfort, unlike the other places I worked at.
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In other schools, the kids are restricted. They can’t say anything and are suppressed. At House of Hope, the negative energy, anger, anxiety, and haste are removed.
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Through the arts and music our students develop more patience. When they talk, they have confidence, they say their opinion, and they don’t feel scared.
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When the kids do their exams and worksheets, we tell them even if you don't have time, write anything you have, any information, what you have learned, what you have seen in your environment surrounding you. And the kids really give all they have. Slowly this helps their psychological state.
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Alhamdulillah for the presence of freedom here. What they experience at school makes them behave without violence or screaming at home. Some quietness from them to us, and some from us to them." - Samar Halabia, Elementary School Teacher at House of Hope Vision School, West Bank, Palestine