The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), a Christian religious organization, whose principles includes non-violence and service to others has been running schools in Palestine for over 100 years. The two schools it runs in Ramallah, West Bank continue to teach the International Baccalaureate to young Palestinian students, as well teaching the earlier school years . This is a remarkable achievement to me, given the increasingly difficult circumstances under which the schools now have to operate, such as incursions into their town by tanks and other weapons of war during their school days. The schools continue to function however, bearing Witness to the events in the region as they unfold, and educating Palestinian youth to International Baccalaureate standards under these conditions, and providing well-educated citizens for the region's future. The Friends Schools receive no direct financial help from the Palestinian Authority, and depend for their income on fees from parents, or scholarship money from abroad. The economic stranglehold placed on the West Bank, particularly in the last year has meant that parents in the area are seeing a much reduced income. The figures the schools see in the review of scholarship applications this year suggest a reduction of 30-70% in household income, which is dramatic. There is an air of desperation which is transparent in the faces of the parents who come to the schools. The schools are doing everything they can to assist such families in need, and at the same time seeking to make the schools accessible to poorer families in the community, including from a Refugee Camp. The schools have frozen salaries and other spending for some time now. However, there is a $180,000 Budget shortfall now occurring following the withdrawal of students whose families can no longer afford the tuition fees. To regain the students and keep the schools operational, Friends Schools Ramallah have launched an Appeal. If you are able to make a donation to Friends Schools Ramallah and their very valuable work, this will be gratefully received and put to very good use, to continue to educate the youth in this region. Any contribution, however large or small will help. The appeal notice is below. For further information on the Friends schools, the web page can be seen at: http://www.fum.org/worldmissions/ramallah.htm . Colin South, the Principal of Schools is personally known to my mother, and is from the same Quaker Monthly Meeting in England. ------------------------ FUND-RAISING - A STATEMENT OF NEED Friends Schools Ramallah are in need of your support at least through the 2001/2002 School Year. Despite a stringent budget which does mean that we will spend only the minimum necessary to keep the school functioning effectively through these difficult times, we are facing a deficit of approximately 10% of our budget i.e. 180,000 US dollars. This is as a consequence of the loss of students as a direct consequence of the political situation and the freeze on tuition fees which we have had to finance for the last two years. It is very evident, now more than ever, that our parents from Ramallah, El-Bireh and the surrounding villages are for the most part in very difficult if not desperate financial circumstances. It is our priority to continue, as long as we are able, to provide the Schools as a symbol of hope for a secure future based on Quaker/Christian values for the children of these communities. This appeal is to the world wide community of Friends and friends. We have had generous scholarship support mostly from our Friends and alumni in the USA and the UK. We need that to continue and would welcome further general funding to help us this year. DONATIONS - MAILING INFORMATION If you or someone you know wishes to make a donation to the work of Friends Schools Ramallah, please use one of the following addresses; Donations in US$ (USA): Friends United Meeting, 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, Indiana. IN 47374, USA Please make checks in dollars payable to Friends United Meeting, and endorse on the back 'for Friends Schools Ramallah'. Such donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. Donations in � Sterling (UK): QuIET, Yew Tree House, Church Street, Bloxham, Banbury, OX15 4ET, UK. Please make cheques in sterling payable to the 'Quaker International Education Trust' endorsed on the back to 'Friends Schools, Ramallah/El-Bireh'. Such donations are tax-deductible for UK tax payers. --------------------- If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me. With best regards John Chamberlain - AC '76 tel: +1 (561) 391-5409 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
