We fund programs, projects or products that aim to positively impact the lives of communities (children, youth, families, etc.) affected by conflict and war in the Middle East.
Refugee children live under unusual and difficult conditions with little or no access to technology that can improve their lives. With our innovative programs, we are reaching a wide range of children with groundbreaking technology that teach them literacy skills and improve their access to higher education.
Millions of refugee children are missing out on an education. Without an opportunity to learn, they risk becoming a lost generation with little chance for a better future. Through sustainable programs, our Fellows are working to ensure refugees can learn and develop the skills they need to succeed in life.
The development of the "whole child" from early childhood through adolescence is critical to long-term development and success of all children. Blossom Hill is committed to providing innovative initiatives for refugee children that will not only prepare them for learning and academic success, but empower them with life skills as they continue to live under difficult conditions.
For refugee youth whose education has been interrupted and ability to earn a livelihood undermined by war and conflict, the future is bleak. We are dedicated to empowering these youth to break from the cycle of poverty by offering innovative vocational training in computer skills, business entrepreneurship and language instruction.
Blossom Hill seeks passionate, committed individuals with innovative ideas about how to improve the lives of war-affected children from the Middle East.
A Fiscal sponsor must be a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Fiscal sponsors will be required to agree to manage and disburse funds to the Fellow according to the terms of the project.
Fadia is a remarkable 10-year-old student from Syria, currently residing with her family at the Refugee Camp of Schisto. Against all odds, she has embarked on an incredible musical journey as a violin player in Blossom Hill's Youth Orchestra and choir student at El Sistema since September. Despite not speaking English or Greek, Fadia's unwavering dedication shines through in her studies. She will soon join her colleagues on the stage at Megaron Athens Concert Hall, where the famous mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and the Il Pomo d'Oro orchestra along with the El Sistema Greece Youth Choir will perform as part of the "Eden" concert. Every passing day brings her closer to this momentous event, and Fadia eagerly counts down with anticipation.
Zahra lives in a beautiful and tranquil remote rural village near Irbid, Jordan. She loves its tranquility and the olive trees but is faced daily with the challenges of raising her daughter Layla, 12, who is autistic in a community that lacks awareness and acceptance of autism. Some families in communities where there is significant disability stigma hide their children with disabilities. But Zahra was determined to find a solution. When she heard about Blossom Hill Fellow Melissa Diamond's program for autistic children, she quickly joined. She learned many skills, including how to address her daughter’s challenging behaviors, help her develop her strengths, and encourage her to do her favorite things. She also learned how to identify good specialists and support resources, and built relationships with other mothers of autistic children in her community.
Zahra said: “One amazing strategy I learned in this program was how to identify the functions of behaviors. I learned that it’s important to understand why a child does something before trying to change it. Once I understood why my daughter behaved as she did, it became much faster and easier to work with her and teach her new things. My relationship with my daughter has always been strong, but now I am more confident in my ability to teach her and support her. We have the same good relationship we’ve always had, but now I understand her better."
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