Education for children of “untouchables” in Yemen, 3705 Euro

About twenty minutes by car from Sana’a in Yemen there is a community, Bani Huseish, of almost 2500 Akhdam. The Akhdam are people of African descent who belong to Yemen’s lowest social class. They are discriminated by Yemenites and live separated from other people in small communities. Their housing and living conditions are pitiful. The Bani Huseish settlement is still expanding . Houses are built made of mud stones, plastic and old car tyres. As a result of the community’s rapid growth there is an enormous need for education for young children who cannot walk the long distances to the state schools until they are eight or nine years old. If these children have not received any education by that age, the transition to the educational system is very problematic.

Even though there have been only two teachers for 176 children, the government has been unable and unwilling to fund extra teaching staff. Help from outside is therefore essential to meet the educational need of these young children. In addition, there is a great need for educational equipment and materials. There are now two classrooms in which the children are taught in groups during different parts of the day. Four extra teachers have been recruited by our project finder, who manages the local NGO, YERO. Furthermore, in consultation with the teaching staff, a start has been made to organise classes for women from the community, to give them a chance to become literate. 

To create more independence for the community in due course, YERO has also organised an income-generating project, supported by a financial contribution from the Dutch embassy. This project is focused on recycling waste from the Akhdam’s direct living environment. They collect the waste themselves and can sell the recycling products after a simple recycling process. YERO is also working on increasing hygiene awareness and family planning. 

Last year, the salary costs of the extra teaching staff were funded by donations, but there is no money left for the next two years. In addition, funds are sought for a teacher to provide for professional development of the teaching staff. That teacher, who has a university degree in English/education, could give courses which would run for a few weeks, three times a year. And finally, funds are needed for school bags, exercise books, pens and textbooks. 

To cover these costs for two years: 
Four teachers for two years: $2400 
For professional development: $1200
For educational resources: $1400 

Total $5000 = 3705 Euro 

Total € 3705,-- 

adopted by the general fund of Moments of Joy

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