Noor Ala Noor (Light Upon Light)
Brief about the project:
As part of the Civic Hackathon project, implemented by the Community Development and Continuing Education Institute “CDCE-I” in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Family Health International (fhi360) within the framework of the Civil Participation and Community Engagement Project (CPCE) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Civic Hackathon project aims to contribute to strengthening the role of social accountability committees and youth councils in decision-making processes by implementing community initiatives to address obstacles to social inclusion and gender equality in the less fortunate communities in the southern West Bank. Responsive community initiatives have been implemented to address community needs identified and agreed upon by active stakeholders in the local community, and this initiative was one of them.
Initiative in summary:
- Location: Al-Samou
- Date of Implementation: 15/05/2023 – 15/07/2023
- Executors: Social Accountability Committee/ Al-Samou
- Problem and Intervention:
The Social Accountability Committee conducted a study of the general needs of the residents in the town of Al-Samou in which the team agreed to establish an educational/cultural center. This center now serves as the headquarters for the Social Accountability Committee’s meetings and activities. It will offer a range of activities and courses aimed at compensating for educational gaps, elevating the competencies and skills of the targeted groups, and promoting community participation, especially for the most marginalized segments in the town.
Due to the town’s lack of such centers and following the input of the working team, consultation with the Municipal Council, and discussions with parents’ councils, an initiative was agreed upon to establish a cultural/educational center in the town center (Hosh Al-Daghamin). This center will implement community and recreational activities, psychological relief activities, as well as educational courses and programs for all students, especially during the summer vacation, to make productive use of their free time. Students with special needs will be exempt from fees, and qualified supervisors and teachers specializing in the required subjects have been selected following appropriate criteria, with the municipality generously providing the facility.
Main activities/outputs:
- A preliminary meeting to develop the initiative plan and assess needs.
- Providing of necessary materials to start functioning the center.
- Obtaining the Municipal approval for providing the location.
- Launching the announcement through social media platforms.
- Completing the students’ registration (number and level).
- Development of an executive plan for proposed activities, including the selection of the technical staff (teachers and administration), such as an English and mathematics teacher.
- Formation of a supervisory committee for evaluation and updating of the plan.
