For Immediate Release As War Limits Access to Education, Radio Becomes a Lifeline for Students in Palestine

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Ramallah – April 21, 2025 – The first week of April has marked the official launch of Youm Jadeed, a new radio-based educational program that aims to reach children across Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem amid one of the worst education crises in recent Palestinian history.
As war continues to disrupt daily life and limit access to schools—leaving over 625,000 children out of the classroom—Youm Jadeed offers a much-needed alternative: 90 drama-based episodes providing both learning opportunities and psychosocial support.
The program is produced by Lapis Group, funded by Education Above All and Open Society Foundations, and broadcast locally in partnership with Ajyal FM Radio.
“We are proud to see Youm Jadeed come to life in such a difficult moment for children in Palestine,” said Ammar Abu Zayyad, Regional Director of Lapis Group.
“This project was created with the local context and children’s emotional needs at its core. Through Iyad and Suad—the show’s two central characters—we invite children to learn, imagine, and heal, even when their reality is filled with fear and uncertainty.”
Developed by a team of Palestinian educators, writers, and mental health experts, Youm Jadeed integrates educational content with social and emotional learning (SEL), grounding each episode in real-world challenges while sparking children’s imagination. Though the show is a response to emergency needs, it also lays the foundation for a more adaptable, community-centered model of education that can serve displaced children and those with limited access to formal schooling.
“When everything else is taken from them, children still deserve stories, structure, and a sense of self. Youm Jadeed was designed with care, with love, and with the belief that Palestinian children deserve more than survival—they deserve to learn, to grow, and to be heard,” said Doaa Mohaisen, Education Specialist at Education Above All Foundation. “At Education Above All, we are committed to ensuring that education remains a right, not a privilege, for every child, no matter the circumstances they face.”

Even in its first week, Youm Jadeed is already resonating children across Palestine,
“I face the same problem Iyad have.” — Slama, age 11from Jenin.
While Jood, 9 years old, expressed her losing words when she’s tired and sleepy. Here’s a refined version of your sentence, aligned with the tone of the press release:
Children have quickly grown attached to the show’s main characters—especially Iyad, whose honesty, adventurous spirit, and curiosity make him a favorite.
Suad is equally beloved for her intelligence and the caring way she looks after her brother, qualities that resonate deeply with young listeners.
Radio was selected as the project’s primary broadcast medium due to its accessibility in areas where power cuts and internet blackouts are common. In addition to daily FM broadcasts, Youm Jadeed is also available via WhatsApp, YouTube, and podcast platforms, supported by supplementary materials hosted on the project’s website and made available to practitioners and implementors on the ground.
The first season will feature 90 episodes, each rooted in the Palestinian curriculum and infused with messages of empathy, problem-solving, and cultural pride. At a time of great uncertainty, Youm Jadeed offers children not just lessons—but comfort, connection, and a sense of normalcy.
Youm Jadeed airs daily on Ajyal FM with 3 new episodes per week through May 11th and new daily episodes from May 11th through end of July. The program is available along with the supplementary materials and learning packages on www.youmjadeed.com as well as through podcast channels and Ajyal Radio’s website. More information is regularly shared over Facebook and other social media channels as well.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Heba Hamarsheh
Partnership and External Relations Officer
Email: Heba.Hamarsheh@lapis-group.com
Mobile: +970 592 739 063