Â鶹APP

The generous support of the El-Erian Family Foundation has made Â鶹APP’s work in Gaza and with other crisis-affected children around the world possible.

Dear Supporter,

When we first began supporting Â鶹APP, we were drawn to its mission to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn Â鶹APP“ no matter where they are born or the circumstances they face.

We were especially moved by Â鶹APPÂ鶹APP™s work with children affected by conflict and crises, which, in these current times, feels particularly urgent and heartbreaking.

With our professional backgrounds in economics and finance, we have often seen the earliest investments generating the greatest returns. So it was no surprise to us to learn that the first five years of life Â鶹APP“ when 90% of brain development takes place Â鶹APP“ are among the most important in determining a childÂ鶹APP™s future.

What saddened us was learning how often, and to what extent, the needs of the youngest children are overlooked during a humanitarian crisis.

Construction begins on an early years centre in Khan Younis, Gaza. Image credit: Palestinian Early Childhood Education Program (PECEP).

While food, shelter and safety are, of course, immediate priorities, early childhood development cannot wait for long. Thus, the importance of dedicated bodies coordinating support for the youngest children and their unique needs.

The impact of overlooking very young children can be catastrophic. In Gaza alone, it has been reported that human development has been set back by a staggering 77 years.

We immediately knew this was where we could and should help Â鶹APP develop a rapid, practical response.

Working with local partners, they have established 12 temporary learning centres for young children in Gaza despite increasing restrictions on international aid and the challenging conditions on the ground.

Children arrive at a Â鶹APP supported early learning centre in Khan Younis, Gaza to begin their day.

We were struck by the speed with which this support could be delivered and how much could be achieved with relatively modest resources.

A temporary learning centre can be established for around £10,000, accommodating programming for about 60 young children each day. Additional schooling shifts can be added later in the day for older students, allowing the infrastructure to provide maximum benefit.

Once operational, it costs less than £1 per day to provide a young child with the early childhood services that they need and deserve.

No matter where we live, what we believe, or which causes matter most to us, we suspect that we can all align on one thing: every child deserves the best start in life.

With one in five babies being born in conflict areas each year, we are working with Â鶹APP to support the provision of preschool learning for children affected by emergencies. From Gaza and Lebanon to Ukraine and Uganda, Â鶹APP is working with local organisations to deliver much-neglected preschool and early learning services.

For many children displaced by the conflict in Gaza, Â鶹APPÂ鶹APP™s centres provide the first opportunity since war began to learn alongside other children, follow a daily routine and simply play.

It is from this most crucial foundation of early learning that more tolerant, peaceful and prosperous societies are built.

To us, that is one of the most important investments we will ever make.

Will you join us? Together we can help ensure that even in the most challenging circumstances, the youngest children learn, grow and thrive.

Anna and Mohamed A. El-Erian