Talitha Kumi

And taking the child by the hand he said to her, `Talitha kumi!´ which means, `Little girl I tell you to get up.´ (Mark 5:41)

The Evangelic-Lutheran school Talitha Kumi is located near Beit Jala in the Palestinian West Bank close to the Israeli border. The school’s history reaches back over 150 years and tells a story of challenges, obstacles and difficulties which had to be overcome. It also tells a story of success, perseverance and prevailing humanitarian ideals.

Originally, the school was founded as a girl’s orphanage. Today it is home and centre of learning to some 900 pupils of both sexes, Christians of different denominations and Muslims. The teaching of tolerance and mutual respect are central to Talitha Kumi as is the modern curriculum which enables students to graduate Tawjihi – the Palestinian school leaving diploma.

The school is sponsored by the Berlin Mission but continues to rely on donations and aid to maintain its activities.

• Recent Activities

  In 2008, Talitha Kumi students overall produced very good Tawjihi examination results – the standard Palestinian school leaving diploma. The introduction of the German International Abitur Examination as of the school year 2008/2009 constitutes a complementary offer and supplement to the Tawjihi. Since the German International Abitur Examination has been officially recognized as a university entrance qualification in the West Bank, Talitha Kumi graduates now can enrol in universities in all countries which have signed a cultural agreement with Germany.
  
  A new school development project has been initiated, aiming at the improvement of the subjects mathematics, English and natural sciences. A second project under sponsorship of Bethlehem University attempts to improve elementary-grade education.
  
  Most fortunately, the school is now fully accessible to pupils with disabilities. Pupils in wheelchairs can enter almost every room without requiring assistance. The programme for integration of disabled children will be continuously expanded.
  
  Musical education has a prominent place at Talitha Kumi. The school orchestra is well established and an ever more fruitful co-operation with the Barenboim Foundation exists. Once a week, the Barenboim Foundation sends four music teachers to work with Talitha Kumi pupils. In addition to this, the Schadenberg Foundation has recently donated a concert piano.
  
  Perhaps most mentionable is the advancement of pupil exchange programmes across the board. A lively and valuable exchange with German and Israeli pupil groups in Vienna and Emmendingen will soon be complemented by a new partnership with a school near Netania in Israel.

• An unusual combination: School and Guesthouse

  In order to provide its hotel management students with a valuable on-the-job training experience and to generate a modest budget surplus by accommodating tourism in the region, Talitha Kumi maintains a sixty-bed guest house for travellers. Tourists, pilgrims and youth groups stay at Talitha Kumi the year round. Lodging guests can chose between single, double and triple bedrooms, book half or full board, have car rentals arranged for them and seek advice in planning their individual day trip programmes.
  
  Day visitors, dropping by to take a look at Talitha Kumi, can have lunch at Talitha Kumi. By arrangement, contacts can be made with Palestinians from the church, the schools, politics and the media.
  
  Alongside the German volunteers, students from the Hotel Training School and the Arab co-workers help to make a visit to Talitha Kumi a special and enjoyable experience.

• School Sponsorship

  Even after the assumption of responsibility for education by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in September of 1994, the private Christian schools receive no financial support from the state. Because of the considerable expenditures that a future Palestinian state will have to face, it is unlikely that any support will be forthcoming in the foreseeable future.
  
  Amidst a Muslim society it is important for the Christian community in the Palestinian territories to have their own schools in order to maintain their identity. Neither the small Christian parishes nor the children’s parents are able to maintain the schools out of their own means alone. In fact, many parents cannot even pay the modest tuition fees. Nonetheless the children mustn’t be turned away, nor must pupils and students from other religious denominations be excluded.
  
  In order to keep up its good work, its educational and social commitment, Talitha Kumi and the Berlin Mission welcome any contribution and way of support that aims at providing a good education for Palestinian children in need.