Huda’s kindergarten and Umm al-Kheir - a visit full of excitement on the one hand and sadness, anger and frustration on the other
A visit to Huda's Kindergarten and Umm al Kheir.
In Khashem al Daraj, a small village in a desert area, is the kindergarten of Huda. A kindergarten with 35 children. We visit it several times a year, and for a long time we have not been there. The war disrupted the school days, as it did in all other areas of the occupied territories.
At the end of the year, Huda, the wonderful and dedicated kindergarten teacher, asked us for certificates to give to each child who had finished the school year.
Unlike our visits to the South Hebron Hills, which is always difficult and sad, this kindergarten gives us a glimpse of light. Sweet children, ages 3-4, are always happy when we come.
As last time, I started a thread of children's songs in Arabic through YouTube, the children clapped, sang and were happy. We brought each child a drink and a chocolate snack and again they were happy and enjoyed themselves.
Today there were only 15 children because the school was closed (a technical problem) and the older brothers who usually accompany their younger siblings to kindergarten did not come.
But quickly the atmosphere changed when we went to Khirbet Umm Al Kheir. Khalil, Salem and other friends were waiting for us in the playground at the entrance.
During a previous visit by Michal and Muhammad, Khalil had asked for notebooks, books and stationery for the children of the village. This we purchased and gave to him, and he thanked us from the bottom of his heart.
Salem, from the Hadalin family, tells me that they come from Tel Arad. In 1948 they were deported to the area. He worked until October 7 decades in Israel and speaks fluent Hebrew. He has had no income for months. It is very difficult, and in addition there is daily harassment by the army and violent settlers posing as soldiers, masked and it is impossible to tell who is what. The cooperation between the army and the settlers is known to us from all our visits to the Masafer Yatta area.
They manage with the help of family members and live in austerity and fear.
It is impossible not to notice the flowering planters and the investment in the appearance of the gardening.
A visit full of excitement on the one hand and sadness, anger and frustration on the other.