In My Pocket Project Expands to British Schools
A new partnership brings an educational program for children aged nine to 11 into more than 20 schools across Britain.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Pre-Teens
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The WE ARE HERE! Foundation and PaJeS have launched a collaboration to introduce the In My Pocket Project to classrooms throughout Britain. This initiative targets students aged nine to 11 using an autobiographical picture book to share historical narratives.
Why it matters
By expanding into British schools, the project aims to broaden the reach of its educational model, which has already engaged 10,000 primary school students globally since 2023. The program utilizes personal history to connect young readers with broader lessons about the past.
The In My Pocket Project, which has reached 10,000 primary school students globally since 2023, is now being implemented in over 20 British schools for children aged nine to 11. The initiative is based on the book In My Pocket by Dorrith M. Sim and Gerald Fitzgerald.
The players
Dorrith M. Sim
She was the author of the autobiographical book In My Pocket and a survivor of the Kindertransport who lived in Edinburgh.
WE ARE HERE! Foundation
This organization was founded by Eli and Jill Rabinowitz to develop and manage the In My Pocket Project.
PaJeS
This organization works in partnership with the foundation to facilitate the implementation of the project in British schools.
The details
Educators affiliated with PaJeS will lead the project, which centers on the life of Dorrith M. Sim, who arrived in Britain at age seven via the Kindertransport in July 1939 and lived in Edinburgh. The program, founded by Eli and Jill Rabinowitz, has previously been established in Australia, South Africa, Lithuania, Latvia, and Mexico.
Timeline
Dorrith M. Sim arrived in Britain on the Kindertransport in July 1939.
The program reached 10,000 students starting in 2023.
Culture Shift
The In My Pocket Project educational initiative utilizes the historical narrative of the Kindertransport to engage primary school students with the history of refugees during the 1930s. This program follows a broader cultural trend of using autobiographical picture books to teach sensitive historical events to younger children.
Families with children aged nine to 11 in participating British schools can expect their students to engage with the In My Pocket curriculum as part of their school activities. This initiative requires no additional purchase or outside effort from parents, as it is integrated directly into the classroom by PaJeS-affiliated educators.
The takeaway
Using autobiographical accounts can serve as a powerful tool for helping children process complex historical themes in an accessible manner. Parents can reinforce these lessons by discussing the importance of personal stories in understanding larger world events.
Further reading
Find more resources for parents and educators on the Pre-Teens page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Australianjewishnews.
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