The Academic year is over for the School of Hope! We had a wonderful past month during which we celebrated the end of the school year in two parties, one for the Kindergarten children and one for our older students. We are thankful to reflect on a full year during which the students have improved drastically in behavior, academics, and most importantly in their spiritual lives.

Our party for the Kindergarten children came first. The School of Hope has two grades of Kindergarten, which would correspond to preschool and Kindergarten in the American system. The little boys and girls were all given matching outfits for the performances, and they all were excited as they danced and sang. The older Kindergarten class was given caps and gowns to mark their graduation from Kindergarten and moving on to first grade. Then each student received their certificate of completion and a small gift from the school.

In the end of June we had the party for our students from grades one through four. We were all amazed and pleased at how quiet and well-behaved the children were through the whole program. This shows a lot of growth for these students, many of whom had very little previous education and usually struggle with good classroom behavior.

The program was opened by prayer and speeches in Arabic and English. Then there was a humorous skit by the teachers, contrasting a well-behaved student with one who does not pay attention in class. The students also performed a skit which showed the roles that various people should play in a student’s life. For instance, the parents and grandparents should encourage the students and help them with homework. Teachers give extra lessons and encouragement and also teach the students about God and how to know and serve Him. We hoped the skits would be enjoyable and helpful to the students and parents alike. After time singing energetic worship songs, the students were each given their school reports and a small gift.

When the program finished, many students came to take pictures with the teachers and say goodbye. One of our older boys was even crying because he was so sad the school year was ending. For our students, school is often a safer, more loving place than their own houses and has become a home and family for them. Please pray for our students over the summer when they will not have this positive influence in their lives. Pray that they will not waver in their faith, and that God would protect them and give them peace. We will begin our new school year in September.