Education
In December 2022, VHI began working on a project to restore three of Yemen’s schools in Bani Sa‘ad in Al-Mahweet Governorate. The School Restoration project will rehabilitate schools that have been damaged in the war, increase their capacities, provide supplies for staff and students, and install solar-energy systems.
Activities in 2022 laid a critical foundation for the project by beginning coordination with local authorities and building community support. The project furthermore aimed to enhance community and student involvement in the three project schools through various activities. This included creating three fathers‘ and three mothers‘ councils, with 19 members each, who were democratically elected. The 146 members received four days of training on their roles in the educational process. Additionally, six meetings were held to distribute responsibilities and develop plans for monitoring and supporting the educational process. The project also established three student councils, with 18 members each, who were also democratically elected. The 54 student council members (30 males and 24 females) received three training days and developed plans for scientific, cultural, and sports activities.
Furthermore, school bags containing educational supplies were distributed to 649 students in the first six grades of three targeted schools, following recommended standards to improve student enrollment.
The project team conducted engineering assessments, developed plans and obtained necessary approvals from the Ministry of Education. In 2023, the project plans to continue its efforts by constructing 55 permanent classrooms, rehabilitating 33 existing ones, improving WASH facilities, and equipping the schools with solar power, chairs, and school broadcasts. Additionally, meetings with the fathers’ and mothers’ councils and Student Councils will be held to promote community participation in education.

