What it's all about 

Maksam is a network of four neighborhood centers in Hadera, Israel, offering after-school learning and enrichment to the children of the city’s Ethiopian community. Maksam is operated by the Gidon Association for Ethiopian Jews in Hadera, a grassroots non-profit organization that has worked to promote the successful integration of the Ethiopian community in Israeli society for the past 22 years.

Around 200 children attend Maksam five afternoons each week throughout the school year. The highly motivated team of volunteers and teachers at Maksam provide professional instruction in English, Math, Hebrew and Computers, and unlimited homework help. The children participate in sports and arts & crafts activities, as well as receive a hot meal every day.

Why is Maksam’s work so crucial? 

National statistics for academic achievement at school consistently show that most children of Ethiopian origin lag far behind their peers, with a higher percent of dropouts from the school system. Without educational reinforcement and enrichment outside of school, many children are unable to keep up with their peers in class – by middle school their academic skills are often 3 years below grade level.

How it all began……

Started in Hadera in 1996 by young Ethiopian community activists, MAKSAM has grown from a grassroots program operating out of a disused bomb shelter to a thriving network of 4 centers throughout Hadera. Approximately 1,500 children have benefited from the program, many of them going on to excel in their high school and tertiary education. Over the years, Maksam has served as a model for other organizations working in the field of immigrant education in Israel.

Maksam aims to….

•Strengthen the sense of identity and self-confidence of Israeli youngsters of Ethiopian origin.

•Improve the academic and social skills of the community’s school-age children, enabling them to graduate the school system with ambition and aspirations.

•Encourage and guide parents to actively support their children’s education.

•Provide a safe alternative to the negative behaviors of unoccupied, discontent youth.

The Maksam annual budget is approximately $430K, much of which is covered by philanthropic donations. The centers are staunchly supported by the Hadera Municipality, and parents of participating children pay a small symbolic fee.  Maksam operates a very lean management structure (less than 13% of the total budget), however there still remains a shortfall of approximately $100,000. The Board of Directors has committed to raising the balance, but the current economic reality creates a situation where countless worthy causes are all competing for donors’ attention. 

Maksam is by definition a grassroots organization. Community involvement is part of our DNA, and as such we are reaching out to a wider community through  crowd-funding. Our goal is to raise $50,000 (of the required $100,000), and in this initial campaign we have an interim goal of $10,000.  But we need your help to get it done. Scroll up to see the contribution levels on the right hand side, and choose one that suits you. 

What the money will be used for?

Quite simply, the more funding we have, the more teaching support we can offer the children. All funds raised through this campaign will be put towards additional support from qualified teachers and educational assistants. Please show your support by choosing one of the Contribution Levels on the right hand side of this page. 

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About the Art

The children at Maksam express themselves through arts and crafts. The vibrant colors and recurring motives combining both Ethiopian and Jewish symbols convey their close connection to their rich heritage. 

Interested in the artwork? Become a Maksam Art Lover by contributing $54, and we'll send you the numbered poster of your choice (scroll up to see the perks on the right hand side of this page). 

To really show how much you support this cause - become a Maksam Art Patron by contributing $250, and we'll send you a set of all 4 posters, along with a certificate of appreciation from the Maksam Board of Directors.  

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Oversight

Maksam is operated by The Gidon Association for Ethiopian Jews in Hadera, a registered Non-Profit Organization in Israel (Registration number 580199099). 

The organization complies with all laws and regulations governing philanthropic organizations in Israel, including mandatory reporting to the Registrar of Non-Profit Organizations of audited financial statements. 

US donors to this campaign will receive an IRS compliant Tax Receipt from First-Giving (the contributions processor), on behalf of P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds Inc., a verified US non-profit organization.