Al-Baqour
Supporting Early Childhood Development for the Bedouin Community
Al-Baqour, appropriately translated as” first fruits” was started by Shlomit Somech-Lehmann, an Israeli social worker and activist, and Dr. Foad El Sana, a Bedouin pediatrician. Each, through their respective work, recognized that Bedouin children and their parents do not receive sufficient support through traditional Israeli government programs resulting in critical developmental delays. To address this serious deficiency, they began Al-Baqour which runs programs for parents and toddlers including small lending libraries in Family Health Centers where young children can access books and parents are taught the importance of reading to their children. In addition, Bedouin women are trained in techniques like story-telling, music and movement.
Our grant is directed to their music and movement program.