“Kids were learning in ma’amads (shelters) with no fresh air or sunlight. It creates a lot of anxiety.” - Anat, Director of Education from the Upper Galilee Regional Council
JNF Canada has committed to supporting these communities, Kiryat Shmona and Kibbutz Lehavot Habashan, by fundraising for sheltered classrooms. These shelters provide students with a place to go daily, continue their studies or activities, and maintain comforting important parts of their routines, even in times of escalation. The sheltered classrooms allow parents to send their child to school knowing they will be safe. This in turn provides parents with their own routine, whether it’s to continue with work, support their communities, or take a break from the challenge task of homeschooling during conflicts.
“We need to bring the people back and have the education system be better than before. There are 30 sheltered classrooms, but we need 3,000.” - Shulamit, Parent & Teacher in Kiryat Shmona
These classrooms are more than just buildings; they represent safety from constant threats, hope for the future and a safe haven for children like Noah. Each classroom is a promise. A promise that children will learn, grow and dream again without the fear of war.