Representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Anera celebrated the completion of a new floor at the Rosary Sisters School in Gaza during a virtual event on October 11, 2022. The event was attended by USAID/West Bank and Gaza Mission Director Amy Tohill-Stull and Sister Lucy Jadallah, Principal of Rosary Sisters School in Jerusalem. From Gaza, Sister Nabila Saleh, Principal of Rosary Sisters School, and Sean Carroll, President of Anera, participated.
Before USAID's intervention, the school lacked sufficient space for high school students. This limitation required students to transfer schools upon reaching high school. USAID invested $495,000 to construct and furnish an additional floor at the school. The expansion allows up to 125 high school students to continue their education at the same institution.
Sister Nabila Saleh expressed gratitude for the support received: “We are working to build a generation with the slogan ‘we read as our ancestors read’. We thank the organizations that supported us and helped us meet our needs by expanding the Rosary Sisters School in Gaza, and providing a safe environment for modern education."
The new facilities include five classrooms, two teacher rooms, a handicap-accessible bathroom unit, centralized air conditioning units, an elevator for accessibility, desks, chairs, and smart boards. These enhancements aim to provide a better educational environment for both girls and boys at the high school level.
Amy Tohill-Stull emphasized USAID's commitment: “Education builds the foundations for a better future, and we at USAID are committed to supporting students in Gaza.”
The project created over 220 short-term jobs under the Palestinian Community Infrastructure Development Program funded by USAID and implemented by Anera. Sean Carroll remarked on these efforts: “Education transforms lives into a bright future. I always feel happy and proud to work with our partners to develop infrastructure in Gaza.”
USAID has provided significant financial assistance to Palestinians over recent years. In addition to ongoing projects supporting various sectors including health response to COVID-19 and emergency food assistance.