Zaa’tari School Build
Since 2017, we’ve supported an education centre for children in Zaa’tari Village, Jordan.
In Jordan, refugee children are now able to attend state school, however, since the schools are so oversubscribed, most operate on a half-day basis.
The education centre, managed day-to-day by our partners at Acting For Change International, provides supplementary lessons in Arabic, Maths and English for children aged 4-15. The aim is to help give the students the best possible start for when they attend their state school classes in the afternoon.
For several years, the makeshift education centre was regularly forced to relocate, as local people bought up the land where it stood for their homes or businesses.
In 2017, we purchased the land upon which the education centre sits, enabling the children to have a stable location for their studies. Lessons currently take place inside temporary containers, but the plan was always to build something more suitable, and permanent…
Well, now we’re ready!
Introducing the new school building!
We’ve had plans drawn up, and been granted permission to build a new, permanent, school building on our existing plot of land.
The building will include four classrooms (allowing us to expand our current teaching capacity to 100 children), a staff/planning room for teachers, a playground, and a separate toilet block.
The new school will have more regulated temperatures (the current classrooms get very hot in summer, and cold in winter!), and will hold all of the facilities that the children need. It’ll be a much better, more enriching, learning environment.
Fundraising
We’re solely relying on donations and proceeds from our charity shops to fund this build. It’s a big challenge, perhaps our biggest yet, but we’ve faced and overcome many hurdles in the past, and we know we’ll do the same this time with your support! Help us to reach our target by donating or holding your own fundraiser below:
Relocation of current buildings
In order to build on the current land, we first need to relocate the current temporary classrooms to a new plot of land so that the children can continue their classes whilst the build takes place. We’ve rented the plot next door and have moved the classrooms.
Paperwork, planning and land preparation
We’ve hired an architect to draw up plans, and submitted them to the authorities for approval. Now they’re approved, the land needs to be prepped ready for the build to begin.
Foundations
We want this school to last for years to come, so a solid set of foundations are crucial. This stage also includes the supporting columns and frame for the main building.
Main structure including walls and roof
By far the biggest stage in terms of financial investment and time - this is when the school starts to take shape with solid walls and a roof.
Plaster and tiling
Once the structure is built, we’ll need to ensure it’s finished off inside by plastering the walls and tiling the floors.
Doors and windows
Next we’ll fit doors and windows to secure the building from the elements, and allow the temperatures to be better regulated (mostly to keep the heat out!).
Interior decoration and furniture
At this stage, we’re almost there! It’s time to make the school look good, and ensure it’s fit for purpose. We already have some desks and furniture, but this school is bigger than the last, so we’ll need some more.
Surrounding wall and playground
Finally, to ensure the safety of the students while they’re studying, we’ll build a surrounding wall to house the entire school structure. We’ll then enhance the existing playground area and climbing frame, so the children can blow off steam after lessons!
And that’s it!
Just like that - we’ll have a new school, and hundreds of refugee children in Jordan will have a brighter future with access to the education they deserve. We’ll continue to fund the centre, of course, just as we do now, paying for equipment, teacher wages, and improving the provision as much as we can.
Remember, we’re solely relying on donations and proceeds from our charity shops to fund this build. Help us to reach our target by donating or holding your own fundraiser below:
A big thank-you goes to to Anderson Partners, who have made significant monetary donations towards this project.
Anderson Partners is an independent, privately owned search boutique. They work with Private Equity firms and high-growth companies to offer creative solutions to identify, attract and engage top talent.
