Supporting Early Childhood Care and Education
in Syria
Gulf Montessori
started the second programme of Montessori Early Childhood Foundation
and Diploma Courses, in cooperation with the Drop of Milk Society in
Syria.
The first
programme started in June 2007 with the Montessori Foundation Certificate
Course of Montessori Centre International (MCI), and the first group
of 20 child carer graduated in January 2008, 12 of them are continuing
their Diploma Course alongside 12 new trainees doing the Foundation
Course. The trainees are from 6 different charitable organizations mostly
working with special needs children.
The donation
was offered and administered by Hala Babili Roumani, Principal and Academic
Advisor of Gulf Montessori, who personally contributed all the costs
of training, including apparatus, travel and accommodation, in addition
to course administration, lecturing and examinations. Montessori
Centre International thankfully supported this contribution through
waiving their fees for the Montessori Foundation Certificate Course.
Senior
Montessori Trainers (MCI) Nudar Mustapha of Gulf Montessori Nursery
in Kuwait, and Rania Serhan of Gulf Montessori Institute in Dubai, made
valuable contributions through donating their time and efforts to travel
to Damascus and conduct lectures, tutorials and examinations.
Faika Khayat
El Azem, Head of the Drop of Milk Society, offered valuable assistance
in organizing the training location at the Society's Headquarters in
Damascus, and ensured smooth running of the course. The Course was licensed
by the Ministry of Social Affairs and highly acclaimed in the media
and the Syrian society.
The Drop of Milk Society, founded in 1922, is one of the oldest
charities in Damascus, Syria. It has been renowned for its diligent
services in providing milk, free treatment and medication for needy
children, as well as financial aid for children who have to undergo
surgeries.
In 1997,
the Society established an early intervention centre for children with
special needs. The centre offers speech therapy to children with speech
and hearing problems, as well as children with mental development and
emotional disabilities, and provides counselling sessions with parents.
The contribution
will make a great impact on developing the quality of service offered
by the Drop of Milk and the other Charities to children in Syria.
The Drop
of Milk Society is now aiming to set up a Montessori Nursery School
in Damascus to cater for needy children supported by the Society and
other fee paying children. The Society is raising funds for this important
project, and would welcome any contribution toward this objective.
Gulf Montessori
will be pleased to facilitate contact with the Society for this purpose
or for any other contributions. Please use our Mail
Form to contact us, or call the Nurseries or the Training Centre
in Kuwait and Dubai.
