Kent Keyfauver—Rancho Cucamonga, California

Al Awada School
Al Bayrouni School

Partner since: 2009
Total donated: $2,000

The traditionally nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin people is no longer viable in modern Israel, so Israeli Bedouins now typically build permanent homes, while keeping tents in their backyard—a symbol of their heritage. The village of Lakia in the Negev Desert is one of a handful of Bedouin villages officially recognized by the Israeli government, which is encouraging the community to integrate with the local Jewish population.

The four schools in Lakia, which serve the children of this Muslim village and also from nearby settlements, are endeavoring to comply—for example, by teaching English and Hebrew. At the same time, together with the local Women Association, two of these schools also actively promote conserving the uniqueness of Bedouin culture while advancing women's rights within Bedouin society.

At the Al Awada School, Grand Circle Foundation supports a project entitled "Being an inventor in a green world." The goal of this project is to expose Bedouin children who have never left their village to environmentally friendly industries. In a series of workshops, the children visit "green tech" factories in industrialized areas around the village and ultimately invent a new product that is friendly to the atmosphere.

Foundation support for the Al Bayrouni School is focused on sports activities. Here, our donations enable children participate in sports activities their school and village cannot provide, including swimming lessons, capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian blend of dance and martial arts), and tennis lessons.

School in session:

September through June, with periodic closures for Muslim and Jewish holidays

Gifts to bring if you're visiting:

• Books in English
• U.S. maps