The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land has been involved in educational efforts in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan since the 16th century. Over the centuries, this commitment has grown, and today the Franciscan order is active in 15 schools, serving more than 12,000 students annually.
Pro Terra Sancta assists the friars in managing the facilities and strives to ensure adequate education for the poorest segments of the population. Of particular focus are the children: the Association hires specialized educators to provide them with appropriate training, support their learning paths, and offer necessary psychosocial assistance. In 2020, despite the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Pro Terra Sancta was able to work on bringing 4 schools' environments up to standard and funded scholarships benefiting 4300 students; scholarships continue to be awarded, enabling hundreds of young people to pursue their studies. In 2023, we were also able to support several families with payment of school or university fees.
As part of the overall support for schools in the Holy Land, the Association has developed two specific projects in Palestine and Jordan:
Palestine - Bethlehem and Hebron:
Social tensions and the severe economic and political crisis affecting Palestine jeopardize the future of young people, who live with frustration and lack of prospects. To address this apparent lack of future, Pro Terra Sancta has devised a three-year project aimed at strengthening the personal identity of approximately 2,000 Palestinian youth in the areas of Bethlehem and Hebron. Through the implementation of cultural educational programs, the project aims to reinforce the youth's connection with their land and heritage, fostering their desire to pursue their life projects with commitment and creativity.
Specifically, 1,080 students from schools in Hebron and Bethlehem, selected in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, undergo training on local cultural heritage through an innovative educational program. Additionally, 20 young people from Bethlehem receive specific training for the role of "Socio-Cultural Operator," a figure working in the field of socio-cultural animation. The goal is to provide job opportunities for university students, enabling them to lead socio-cultural tours for schools and pilgrims.
Nine cultural events will be organized to facilitate encounters among society members, increasing their awareness of the value of their cultural heritage. Over the three years of the project, more than 1000 members of Bethlehem's society and around 20 local and international artists will be involved. In addition, 12 training sessions on Social Doctrine will be conducted by local experts.
Jordan - Amman:
In the Jordanian capital of Amman, approximately four million people reside, 10% of whom are of Christian faith. In collaboration with the Latin Apostolic Vicariate, Pro Terra Sancta has awarded 87 scholarships to support children and young students from low-income backgrounds within an extensive network of schools in Jordan. In addition to providing individual scholarships, the Association has allocated funds to support and renovate the public school Balat Al-Sheehadah, located in the Amman Jabal Weibdeh neighborhood.
