Nazareth Salesians are responding to the unique challenges faced by Arab communities in Israel, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict since 7 October, which has led to increasing levels of fear, anxiety and depression among children and young people. To respond to these urgent needs, the Salesians have launched two key programmes.
The first initiative is a scholarship program designed to assist 105 disadvantaged students, offering tuition deductions. This programme directly addresses the economic hardships faced by many families in war-affected Arab communities. By alleviating financial burdens, the initiative aims to reduce dropout rates and ensure that students can continue their education despite the hardships of their families.
The second initiative focuses on improving psycho-social support within educational contexts during the conflict. This includes the training of 50 school staff and teachers on effective strategies to support students during the war, as well as the involvement of 100 children and adolescents in psycho-social activities such as psychological workshops and expert-led sessions on religious and spiritual guidance.
This programme will provide psychological support for 655 school students, tackling the significant repercussions on mental health in prolonged conflict - anxiety, depression, anger and sadness.
Through these global efforts, the Salesians aim to meet the urgent financial and psycho-social needs of children and young people affected by a crisis that is increasingly worsening, also due to the new front of combat that is involving the whole of Galilee.
