Bridges - "Youth Enrichment Incubators"

Program Overview
Bridges is one of Sharek’s core programs and was first piloted in 2005 to fill the void in the formal education sector in Palestine. The program aims to empower youth through an exchange of knowledge and experience between children and young people in “youth enrichment incubators”, focusing on activities related to education and extra-curricular activities.

The incubators not only connect youth and children, but also form a stable and highly effective ‘bridge’ between the children and youth sector and the community at large. In this way youth become active participants in their society, and both sides of the ‘bridge’ benefit. The activities include supervision of homework, but also social activities, computer skills, creative thinking and graphic design. The program activities are based on the following four pillars: Joy and fun activities, enrichment activities, education (homework assistance) and twining activities.

Aims of the Program
The specific objectives of Bridges are:

Ø       To improve the academic and social situation of Palestinian children and youth.

Ø       To improve the computer skills of Palestinian children and youth.

Ø       To enhance the collaboration and interaction amongst universities, schools and Palestinian youth and children.

Ø       To establish ‘safety nets’ for children and youth in the form of "Homework and Enrichment Centres" in order to let children and youth gather for joint activities.

Ø       To build youth capacity by endowing them with responsibilities within an environment of education, enrichment and fun.

Beneficiaries
The program serves a broad beneficiary base. Each project targets a different group between the ages of 8 – 17 who are carefully selected for participation in the projects. Also, youth volunteers who plan and organize the activities with children benefit from the program through attending training courses and sharing experiences with other youth as well as children. All Bridges volunteers have been chosen according to their spirit of volunteerism and commitment to community development.

Contact Us:          
For more information regarding the Bridges program please contact mohammad.isam@sharek.ps