Mariam Bardwardi Kindergarten

Mrs. Hiam Ghattas, director of both kindergarten and nursery, said that kindergarten is the first project initiated by His Excellency Bishop Elias Chacour a few months after he arrived in Ibillin in 1965. It’s under the patronage of the saint from the village, Mariam Bawardie. In the beginning, Father Chacour gave the responsibility to the sisters of St. Joseph to care for and run the first Kindergarten in Ibillin when there was none. These nuns left their imprint in the whole village on Muslims and Christians alike. They were dedicated to the service of the Ibillin community for over thirty years. In 1994, the nuns, becoming older, became unable to run the kindergarten anymore; they returned the responsibility to Father Elias Chacour. Since then, Nawar Musalam, a very well-known educator, has run the kindergarten with the help of Mrs. Hiam Ghattas. The kindergarten comprises today three classes for kids 3 to 4 years old, There are 96 children in three classes, in addition to three other classes for children 5 years old, and these are 94 children. Presently, the association of MEEI took the responsibility for these kids: six ladies' teachers and nine assistants in addition to one psychologist. The Kindergarten is run according to the educational program special to early childhood and tries to implement the unique goals to help the children to be more aware of the environment and to get to know the natural social qualities comprising a better knowledge of their mother language (Arabic), they learn Mathematics, Technology, Arts, Physical fitness, and the other important human qualities and Music. Activities in which the kindergarten children participated: the local village library called "Phanuss," whose aim is to introduce the children to reading books and to encourage parents to read for their children and to enjoy them reading books, and thus help them to develop their curiosity and the human and social values. Each child will be given a gift of eight tale books to take home. Adapted extra curriculum activities include Music, Motoric Activities, Theater, etc. In the frame of extracurricular activities, the children in Kindergarten participate in the "Phanuss" program activities to acquaint them with reading books and invite parents to read with them. Our children in Kindergarten take part in a unique program to prepare them for the elementary school to help them accept the challenge of change in life.