Project Overview
As the Oslo Agreement was signed, IR began a new initiative in Palestine on developmental projects.

The end of the Israeli occupation brought about many infrastructure projects, but they had little impact on the lives of the people living in the Palestinian refugee camps.

The long years of occupation affected these areas greatly, causing a lack of resources in schools and lack of recreational facilities for children.

Problem / Project Background
Palestinian children are suffering from isolation from the rest of the world. They are living under difficult conditions while their schools can not provide them with education as one of their basic rights.

Around 60% of schools in the Gaza Strip are operating on a three-shift basis which does not allow the children enough time to learn the whole curriculum. In addition, the teachers are not well qualified or trained. The number of students in each classroom is between 50-56 students so teachers can't give enough attention to individuals.

Being under the on going Intifada for a year, children are also suffering from psychological and emotional disturbances, while no psychologists and social workers available at schools. More than 4000 children, since the beginning of Intifada, were wounded in Deir El-Balah.

Due to the large number of children who suffer from wounds and in some way have become disabled, it was necessary to offer services to rehabilitate them mentally, physically and educationally.

These children need special programs to involve them in different activities especially after what they went through.

After signing a partnership agreement with Islamic Relief and DIFD for a period of four years, D.B.R.S begin to play a leading role in the Palestinian society as a pioneer establishment in rendering services to the disabled and normal persons.

The educational enhancement centre has rendered services for 35 deaf children for three years, in addition to following up 259 disabled cases through the out reach program, and granting them various compensatory aids medical systems.

Project Objectives
1- To provide a library of books both in English and Arabic that will enhance children's education, general knowledge and literacy.

2- To provide a bank of quality toys that will enrich young people's recreation time.

3- To provide coaching in a range of sports and crafts by means of volunteers.

4- To provide a bank of computers to provide training in various software applications and recreation through educational computer games, and education through the burgeoning number of educational and interactive CDs

Project Activities
1. The School of the Deaf was opened in 1998 and is supported and financed by Islamic Relief and DFID in an agreement lasting till March 2002.

Work started by opening two academic classes. During the last three years, classes increased to four stages: Kindergarten, Preparatory, First and Second Elementary stages.

2. The Educational Enhancement Centre was opened in November 1998 and is a partnership with Islamic Relief in cooperation with DIFD in the same agreement. This centre helps in reinforcing children's abilities, discovering talents and developing them through:

- Book Library
- Toys library
- Computer Centre
- Vocational Training Centre

Project Goal
The principal aim of the centre is to provide young people with constructive and educational activities that will improve the quality of their lives, broaden their horizons, and provide them with skills and opportunities for a better future.

Beneficiaries
The main beneficiaries of the project are children under 18 years of age, which are estimated to be around 11,000 in the immediate neighbourhood of the education enhancement centre. Indirect beneficiaries are parents, teachers and employees from the ministries.