Safety is Colorful at Rawdat El Zuhur

The entrance of Rawdat El Zuhur before repairs

Principal Salwa Zananiri awaiting her students at the new front gate.

A brightly painted red, yellow and blue gate now welcomes toddlers to Rawdat El Zuhur School in East Jerusalem. The colorful entry separates the nursery from the kindergarten, a safety feature recently required by the Israeli Ministry of Education. The school has also fenced off an iron staircase at the entrance to prevent the children from climbing onto it. 

A $3,000 grant from ANERA helped make the safety renovations possible. School principal Salwa Zananiri was grateful for the help: “Through ANERA’s generous contribution, we were able to make these crucial improvements to keep the school open and continue educating disadvantaged children.”

Much to the children’s delight, the wall leading to the nursery also has been cleaned up so they can draw colorful murals that will highlight historic Palestine. “The children will have a lot of fun painting the wall,” added Zananiri with a smile.

The elementary school was established in 1952 to rescue 25 young girls whose families were left destitute by the 1948 war. Today the school boasts more than 230 students. 

As a partner in ANERA’s Scholarship Program, Rawdat el Zuhur still helps the needy. Students benefit from ANERA scholarships, which help cover their school expenses.    

Rawdat El Zuhur youngsters especially enjoy music and art classes. The music program operates in cooperation with the Jerusalem-based Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, which ANERA has supported for more than a decade.

Date modified: April 2009