For over eight years, the After-School Program has played a vital role in connecting students to Seeds of Hope. It’s a way to strengthen our relationships with students and families and deepen our impact on the community over time.
Back when our school only had a Kindergarten, it was so hard to say goodbye to students each year. We also knew that this short time at Seeds of Hope wasn’t enough to have the kind of impact we wanted on the next generation. In 2014, Simon Sheehan, Seeds of Hope Cultural Center Director, had an idea: What if we didn’t have to say goodbye?
He shared his idea for an after-school program with his wife, Regina, and they took on the challenge together. Starting with first grade, they began to develop the curriculum for the program year by year. Students who graduated from Seeds of Hope Kindergarten could now stay connected to our supportive environment and excellent education through the after-school program. And we could continue to invest in a new generation of leaders with our core values curriculum—inspiring students to be leaders and change their world for the better.
Since it’s not an official school, the After-School Program isn’t under the authority of the Ministry of Education in Jericho. That means we have more freedom to teach the values and worldviews we hold dearly at Seeds of Hope.
In 2019, we began to add additional grades to the Seeds of Hope school. Even though students can now stay with us through the fifth grade (and hopefully beyond), the vision of the after-school program is still just as important.
Despite not having to say goodbye to students anymore, the after-school program is a chance for us to go deeper and help students develop critical leadership and life skills. “I want to let our students experience things I missed in my childhood,” said Simon. “I want to teach them life lessons that I learned far too late in life—not to be afraid to try, to take risks even if you might lose, to be encouraged and encourage others.”
As the program has grown, it’s inspired other incredible activities for students at the Cultural Center, like our annual Easter Camp and community outreach activities where students can serve their neighbors. The students have the opportunity to experience hands-on leadership through our Summer Camp, where after-school students serve alongside adults as junior leaders.
“We grow together. At the end of the day, I feel the students give me much more than I give them. They filled my heart by the way they let me share life with them.”
–Regina Shaheen
The program has been transformational for Seeds of Hope and our staff, but it has impacted our students and families even more! “The After-School Program taught my daughter many values,” said Wafaa, whose daughter Iyala grew up in the After-School Program. “She learned to care, love, and give to others. The staff became a second family to her. They supported her, praised her, and were by her side celebrating her achievements in and out of the Cultural Center.”
Ameer has been separated from his father for many years. His mother recognized the gap that would leave in his upbringing and did all she could to make up for the absence. “In the After-School Program, they embraced Ameer with love and care,” his mother, Mandolin, shared. “He was able to overcome his emotional challenges. They strengthened his character and helped shape him. The students and leaders became friends and family and still are to this day.”
Our After-School Program is so much more than tutoring or childcare. It is developing young leaders—a new generation—who we hope will grow up to transform Jericho and perhaps the entire Middle East. The mentorship in the Cultural Center is one of the most extraordinary things we get to be a part of.
We’re so grateful for your investment in Seeds of Hope which enabled us to take the very first leap to start this program. Your ongoing support has allowed us to keep growing and expanding our impact. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Seeds of Hope and for these young leaders.
