In Madama, a small agricultural town in Occupied Palestine, we have started an ambitious free breakfast scheme feeding 234 children in the youngest grades 1-4.

The Olive Harvest Trust, with our team on the ground have implemented the scheme at Madama Co-educational School. Please see our video.

We have employed two amazing cooks who work miracles in the small kitchen. Our project manager, the recently retired headmaster of Madama Boys’ School, has worked with us on projects since 2007. He is a highly respected figure in the village.

The economy in Palestine is in a dire state. The Israeli government is withholding Palestinian tax revenues and teachers are currently only receiving half their salaries.

The olive harvest, which many depend on, was a disaster due to settler violence. Most permits to work in Israel have been cancelled and frequent lockdown and road closures stifle the economy.

Our school breakfast scheme provides a healthy start to the day while also supporting farmers, boosting the local economy and offering work. We are a volunteer run charity and every penny goes to the scheme. We want to continue next year and hopefully expand to the nearby village of Burin and this needs funds.

Please consider donating as much or as little as you can, if possible on a monthly basis. Your donations make a real difference. £5, a little more than the price of a coffee, will provide breakfast for a child for a school week.

Thank you.