After-school programming forms the core of Maksam’s activities. Operating 5 days a week throughout the school year, the Maksam centers are staffed by Ethiopian-Israeli coordinators, part-time teachers, teaching assistants, and volunteers.

Around 200 disadvantaged children attend the after-school program and receive:

• 16-20 hours per week of instruction (in small groups of up to 12) with professional teachers in Hebrew, Math, English and Computers.
• An introduction to critical thinking styles and the importance of effective decision making.
• Unlimited assistance with homework preparation, provided by specially trained teaching assistants who act as personal mentors and provide positive role models.
• Sports and athletics activities, including instruction on healthy lifestyle habits.
• Arts and crafts, and enrichment activities aimed at improving social skills and self-confidence.
• Group activities aimed at fostering the development of team work and negotiation skills.
• A daily, nutritious hot meal.

Additional features of the program 

• The Amharic-speaking center coordinators act as community liaisons, maintaining contact with parents and providing assistance in communicating with schools, from translating teachers’ notes to accompanying parents to parent/teacher conferences.
• Under supervision of the Pedagogic Director, the Maksam team communicates closely with school-based teachers, ensuring that children receive prompt help when needed.
• Parents receive guidance on how to contribute positively to their children’s education and children are exposed to excellent role models of community leadership and volunteerism, both men and women, young and old.