Your Call to Action:
Providing quality back-to-school supplies for 500+ school-age children in Dnipro --Boston's Jewish community sister city!
The challenges outlined below explain the impact to the education system and the overall well-being of students and educators during the war. The combination of disruptions to education, safety concerns, limited resources, teacher shortages, psychological impact, displacement, difficulty in maintaining school routines, and limited extracurricular activities creates a complex and challenging environment for learning.
In such situations, the resilience and dedication of students, teachers, and school communities are tested. Efforts to support education in these regions are crucial to help mitigate the adverse effects of the conflict on children's learning and development. Providing access to safe learning environments, psychosocial support, and necessary resources can play a vital role in helping children cope with the traumatic experiences they may have endured. This is where we can help!
Ensuring that education remains a priority during and after the conflict can contribute to the long-term recovery and rebuilding of affected communities.
By investing in education, we invest in the future of these children and provide hope for a better tomorrow, even amid the most challenging circumstances.
Specifically in Ukraine, inflation has grown 45 percent throughout the war, making it economically challenging to provide for families. In addition, because of wartime shutdowns, many parents are losing jobs or are serving in the military, making buying everyday items even more of a challenge.
With special thanks to Marlene Bohn for organizing this effort, we ask for help providing school supplies for 500+ children in Dnipro.
Ways to help:
1. Here is a link to an Amazon wish list with Action-PSJ' s 501(c)(3) number for tax-deductible purposes.
2. Buy items such as backpacks, calculators, markers, pens, pencils etc. at your local store--many are having back to school sales- and send to Action-PSJ at 1430 Main St Waltham, MA 02451
3. Buy gift cards to Amazon, Staples etc.
4. Make a financial contribution.
5. Share with your community.
We are trying to help 500 children in this school have a successful school year during a traumatic time.
During the war, schools are experiencing several challenges:
Disruptions to Education: Ongoing armed conflicts can lead to the closure of schools or the destruction of educational infrastructure, making it difficult for students to attend classes regularly.
Safety Concerns: The safety of students, teachers, and school staff is a significant concern. Schools may be targeted or caught in the crossfire, making it risky to continue education as usual. Most schools do not have bomb shelters. The ongoing power outages make it challenging to conduct classes.
Limited Resources: Economic difficulties resulting from the war can lead to a lack of school resources, including textbooks, supplies, and technology, making it challenging to maintain a quality education environment.
Teacher Shortages: Many educators may leave the conflict-affected areas to seek safety elsewhere, leading to a shortage of qualified teachers and a loss of institutional knowledge. Some teachers are serving in the army..
Displacement: The war may force families to flee their homes, leading to the displacement of students. This can disrupt their education and create difficulty accessing schools in safer areas.
Difficulty in Maintaining School Routine: With ongoing instability, schools may be unable to maintain a consistent academic calendar and routine, further affecting students' learning progress.
Limited Extracurricular Activities: The war can limit extracurricular activities and opportunities for students to develop social skills and talents outside of the classroom.
Thank you! Together we make a difference.
Debbie Kardon
Executive Director
