From Computers to Children

The Pink and Blue Nursery in Gaza

November 21, 2022

Amna Zaqout, owner of pink and blue nursery inside a classroom supported through the project of "Supporting an Inclusive and Multi-Sectoral Response to COVID-19 and Addressing its Socio-Economic Impact in the State of Palestine"

© UNDP/PAPP- Shareef Sarhan

In 2021, the population unemployment rate in the Gaza Strip reached 47%, while the youth unemployment rate was 74%. As a result, youth strive to create opportunities to support themselves, their families, and the community. For example, Amna Zaqout, a 37-year-old website designer from Gaza, is now the owner of Pink and Blue nursery. After years of unemployment and failure, she switched from working with computers to working with children.

"I couldn't find work in my field after graduation, so I looked for other opportunities until I was forced to work at a nursery. Although I did not particularly enjoy it at first, as I learned more about the world of children, I realised that many aspects could be improved. As a result, I left to learn more about children and the most recent nursery techniques in order to open my own."

Amna Zaqout, owner of pink and blue nursery

© UNDP/PAPP- Shareef Sarhan

In 2018, Amna opened the Pink and Blue nursery. The majority of parents, however, have already enrolled their children in other nurseries. Consequently, they were hesitant to test out the new nursery on the block.

"I went two months without registering any children, and I knew how difficult it was to generate clients," she explains. "However, I was adamant about maintaining competitive prices and a more inclusive approach." Amna believes that nursery is essential for the child's development and that the activities offered should be thoroughly researched and tried. Most nurseries, on the other hand, believe that the ultimate goal of the nursery is to keep the child fed and clean until their family arrives.

"I attended an Early Childhood Development training course because I wanted to use this method at my business. But unfortunately, this necessitated specialised equipment and financial resources that I couldn't provide.

Amna continued to work and hired five more employees until COVID-19 arrived in Gaza. Then, authorities decided to impose a three-month lockdown, followed by a nine-month partial lockdown. During that time, most working mothers did not report to their offices, and schools were closed, resulting in a decrease in the number of children at the nursery.

Amna saw an advertisement encouraging disadvantaged small businesses to apply for a UNDP-implemented project funded by the Government of Japan. "I knew it was an opportunity to recover from the COVID-19 impact when I registered; I could have paid the employees' rent or salaries. But, instead, I saw it as an opportunity to establish an Early Childhood Development room, which will help sustain my business and attract new families to the nursery."

The project titled "Supporting an Inclusive and Multi-Sectoral Response to COVID-19 and Addressing its Socio-Economic Impact in the State of Palestine" aims to assist the State of Palestine in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. With funds from the Government of Japan totalling US$ 2,036,571 and in partnership with the UNDP/PAPP, 126 Micro Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were supported in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem (54% led by women and 46% by men).

Through the project, Amna purchased special chairs, laptops, an LCD television, books, a printer, special toys, and a doll theatre for US$ 4,725.57. The nursery grew in popularity as it was established and made available to the public, and it now serves 35 children. Amna hired a teacher and specialised teacher to implement the methodology to bring the total number of staff members to seven. "It wasn't just about the money; I wanted to make the most of the opportunity. Everything I learned in the management, marketing, and feasibility courses we received as part of the grant came in handy. I can now celebrate my success as a result of this project."