Founded on the belief that the journey to peace begins with education and healing, the Middle East Children’s Institute (MECI) launched its pilot program in 2007 in Beit Rima, a village in the West Bank struggling under the strain of conflict-induced stress, poverty and unemployment – and the generations of trauma caused by the violence witnessed or experienced by their community. MECI’s After-School Program took a holistic approach to healing by offering the community’s children academic assistance along with emotional and psychosocial support. This model uniquely focused on empowering the community’s women and enabling economic development between the local farmers and the village.

Following the success of the Beit Rima program, MECI Jordan was launched in 2013 to meet the educational and emotional needs of Syrian refugees and disadvantaged host community children. Our initial approach has now evolved into a Non-Formal Education Program for out-of-school young adults, allowing them to continue their education, acquire a skill and broaden their prospects.

Today, thanks to your donations, our strong partnerships and our passionate teams, MECI’s programs in the West Bank and Jordan bring hope into the lives of individuals, their families and their communities affected by violence and conflict.

Together, we are empowering thousands of children, young adults and women with the skills to create new employment opportunities, to work towards a more hopeful and rewarding future, individually and collectively with the tools to manage conflict, and the prospect of peace.