Bentleys in Israel: Humanitarians - West Bank (Bethany, Ramallah, etc.)

BETHANY ("Al Aizariah")

Some great humanitarian needs were in Bethany ("House of the Poor"). Residents now prefer Al Aizariah ("For Lazarus"). (See Sept. '10 post, "West Bank.") A suburb of Jerusalem, Bethany attracted many tourists when we came to the Holy Land in 1981 & 1999. Now the Separation Wall bisects the city. Tourism has diminished & residents are moving out -- leaving many poor without the means of support. On 10/19/11 we visited four charity partners there -- 3 formed to help Palestinian women create and sell their handcrafts.

PCH (Peace Center for Heritage):

This small organization was managed by Sawsan al-Khatib, a caring & capable young woman. We first met her with the Okiishi's in Sept. '10. She had a masters in intern'l relations & trained women to become self sufficient by sewing, cooking, raising of small animals & foods. LDS Charities provided sewing & button-hole machines and other eqmt. for handicrafts.

The U.N. Dev. Program & YMCA helped her to obtain prime frontage on Bethany's main street to operate in 2006.

On 1/31/11, we returned for lunch with Sawsan & mother at their home. Their makluba (upside-down chicken, rice & spices) was the best ever.

All food we ate (except the rice) was raised on their own land--chicken, eggs, carrot juice, fruits & vegetables. She practiced what she preached!

Their home was built over a period of 20 years by the father (who recently died) and his 3 sons. Each son has added a new floor to house his family.

One son was killed at age 27 by an insane business rival -- leaving a wife & 4 orphans. Life here can be very difficult.

In 2010 the JC also provided sewing materials & other equipment for her workshop & classroom located beneath the store.

On 7/18/11 we saw the installed white board, refrigerator & chairs. Also summer cotton blankets we had provided for bedouin camps & poor families.

On 2/27/12 we returned to introduce the Schafers and to say goodbye. As usual, she tried to give away her profits -- but we insisted on paying for a necklace.

We really do love this "young woman of excellence."

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SHOROUQ: The sunrise is this charity's symbol. It helps women start their own enterprises, get loans, mkt. goods & enter the business world. These Muslim women greeted us warmly with gifts, food & hospitality.

We viewed a PPT showing their history & success, including recent efforts with bedouin women to raise small animals (sheep, goats, chickens) and to make & market products like cheeses unique to the West Bank. Their facilities included sewing machines, tables & other eqmt provided by LDS Charities. Their recent expansion was to employ many more women.

On 3/2/11 (Wed.), we attended the Grand Opening of their new Women's Econ. Empowerment & Entrepreneurship Center. A former kindergarten acquired in 2003, it was fully renovated--largely paid by Belgium.

Their driveway off Main Street was quite inconspicuous at first.

Across the street was a distinctive mosque.

Inside, a new building entry & outside staging area were welcoming.

We were greeted by charming children, who gave us these rich bouquets.

The center looked like new, with modern fixtures and freshly painted walls.

Inside, about 100 persons attended the celebration in a spacious room.

We were seated up front, next to the kitchen, dais and watchful gaze of Mahmoud Abbas (P. A. Pres.) VIPs included Gerard Cockx (Belgium Consul General) and a representative of the Belgian Ambassador.

Our main hosts were Fatima Faroun (the M.C.) & Adnan Husaine (P.A. Jerusalem Waqf Gov'r). His 3 children went to BYU; one is still there!

After standing for the national anthems of Belgium and Palestine, we viewed slides explaining the history and work of this society to empower women--mainly in food, design, embroidery and small animal industries.

Certificates were presented to women completing training courses in design, embroidery, food prod., mkting and entrepreneurship.

We were given a fancy boxed certificate of appreciation. Also, a photo incl. our predecessor was on the cover of their promotional brochure.

After the awards ceremony, we toured the sewing, display and design rooms. Some of the designs were surprisingly revealing.

This woman received a certificate for design. She and her young daughters certainly embrace this charity's empowerment motto.

We inspected the diswasher, refrigerator & stove provided by LDS.

With our appliances, a fine luncheon was provided after the ceremonies.

Everyone ate outside on a warm & beautiful day on 3/2/11.

We returned to the JC with some memorabilia and special memories.

On Tues. 8/17/11 during Ramadan, Fatima invited us to their sunset break fast. After she told why they fasted, we started with dates then ate a great chicken/rice/yoghurt dish, many salads and a sweet turnover.

We joined other Christians and Jews for a wonderful evening of friendship and comaraderie. Fatima's "Ventures for Peace" often brought all 3 faiths together.

We and the Schafers returned for a wonderful vegetarian lunch & desserts on 2/27/12 before saying goodbye. Fatima did her Hajj last fall and will always be a dynamic force for good.

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ACS (Al Azariah Charitable Society):

Another women's society in Bethany has a large warehouse & workshop for women to create their handicrafts plus shirts, school uniforms & other clothing.

While there on 10/19/10, we saw Rajab Bassa distribute many of our hygiene kits to needy bedouin women and children.

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ZAHRET al Quds ("Rose of Jerus.") Since 2001 this society has run a rehab & psysio therapy facility -- one of the first on the West Bank.

On 10/19/10 we saw intern vols working with children with severe special needs.

When they have sufficiently advanced, physically and mentally, they are integrated into a Zahret school with normal children of various ages.

This helps dispel the stigma so often attached to disabled children. Genetic concerns may deter common intermarriages with Arab cousins.

Outside is a unique playground with cheerfully decorated equipment.

Marilyn saw that the hospital where she was born and where her father practiced medicine most of his life was on the top line on their sponsor board. That charity donated the van that Yassin uses to pick up & deliver children.

Yassin Hamden (Director) & his daughter Waffa (a nurse at Makassed hospital, near the JC) give compassionate & effective service to these needy children.

On 1/31/11 we returned for a youth camp held there while children are out of school. Yassin's wife Howeida was also there, along with vols from "Art of Living"--a global NGO from India, with reg'l centers in 140 countries. It promotes a more "stress-free, violence-free society."

"Special needs" kids participated alongside mainstream kids in carefully mixed groups, doing some creative artwork, games and activities together.

Volunteers also helped the children to learn and repeat words, alphabet, numbers, shapes & songs--all in English! Everyone had a great time.

On Mon. 7/17/11 we returned to inspect our setup -- 6 computers and unique software, plus headsets and a microphone for the instructor.

From her computer, the instructor can see what each pupil is doing. Then she can train them, either individually or as a group!

Some children with learning disabilities required special attention. Computers now give them new teaching capability they never had.

While we were there, the children gathered to greet us, play games & "sing" songs -- done in Arabic "rap" style but with gusto. Some were boys vs. girls!

Then we distributed hygiene kits to grateful children. They love gifts -- no matter what is inside. Our kits will help them stay more healthy & cognitive.

Then the Zahret van picked up some severely disabled boys for rehab. Two boys in the same family were stricken with severe Parkinson's disease, both at age 10.

Inside the rehab center, a strong but kind therapist helped these boys with dancing, stretching and other muscle exercises. (College therapy interns will return to work here as volunteers when school resumes in Sept.)

Marilyn even got into the act by throwing balls with the boys. Then she helped to distribute hygiene kits to each of them.

We loved the high spirits & progress of these boys & their fine leaders.

Returning to the Hamden's home (they live above their school), we enjoyed their wonderful hospitality all afternoon and then a delicious dinner.

Marilyn helped Howeida in the kitchen & was charmed by cousin Rihan. Yassin supports their 8 children & helps others with his small income.

Several Hamden families -- including two of Yassin's brothers from Texas -- were there for a cousin's wedding, to another 1st cousin. (Two of their sons will also choose wives from among their cousins in Bethany.) This reunion was just one month after Yassin's mother died. Waffa recently broke her engagement (or "henna") to another cousin, who wanted her to live on a farm and raise babies. She (and her 4 sisters) have other plans.

Besides coming with Melissa after Christmas '12 to help make and eat dinner again, we returned with the Schafers on 2/27/12. We arrived just as volunteers came to play with the children.

Pretty soon we were all dancing to Arabic music & Bridge Across the River Kwai -- even Yassin's nephew Mohammed. One year ago he couldn't walk or talk by himself. Now he is dancing!

We also found all computers being used by disabled children & an instructor.

Zahret integrates its special needs and mainstream children in many ways.

Finally, Yassin came with a "Farewell Cake" for us. We both blew out the candles and cut the cake for the children.

Mohammed agreed that the chocolate cake was delicious.

It was hard to say goodbye to the Hamdens and these precious children.

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Four Homes of Mercy. This center not only cares for the most seriously disabled of all ages -- it also houses them. Several charities (Zahret, Spafford, Caritas) had urged us to go there. So on 11/1/11 we did, via JC taxi.

We met their board, incl. Usama Khalilieh (Director), Suheir Khoury, Arafat Eida, MD (Medical Dir.) and Nadia George Kara'a (Treasurer, descendant of the founder and our 1st email contact).

It was founded by Katharine Siksek (1894 – 1973). She & her husband George, both devout Christians, began in 1940 with two beds in their Beit Sahour home. After the 1948 war, they moved to Beit Jala as a "Arab diaspora" refuge. She became known (and is still known) as "Madame Siksek."

In 1953 Jordan's King Hussein granted them land in Bethany -- as a rehab center for invalids with serious mental & physical disabilities.

As its name suggests, the center was divided into 4 "homes": for children, youth, women & men. The Children's Unit included many care facilities.

Teenagers had separate bedrooms but shared some recreational and therapeutic facilities with adults. (This large room had only a tiny TV; they needed big screens.)

Separate bedrooms for teenagers and adults were similar to this one. They had no lifts (hoists) to raise and care for their larger residents.

Women had wonderful kitchen & craft facilities. Note the fine needlework by one seriously impaired adult.

Since almost all residents had wheelchairs for mobility, this workshop and repair center was very important.

The center had excellent views from all outside rooms.

Outdoor play areas were spacious and nicely landscaped. But some could use more outdoor equipment.

This beautiful chapel reflected Christian roots. Since most residents (77) & caregivers (65) were Muslims, another room will be provided for their prayers.

The donor board in their front reception room showed good financial support from all over the world -- especially from the US, UK and Sweden. Palestinian govt. tried to pay salaries & operating costs -- but not any facilities and was always behind.

This spacious, clean, cheerful facility served its patients well. Most impressive were the many happy faces we saw. That reflected the positive, upbeat, dedicated & caring staff that served there.

Their head nurse had a button with a fitting motto.

This Bible verse said it all:

We helped this charity with several patients' lifts and other support.

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"Good Friends Society" (Al Sadiq Al Taieb). On 2/13/12 we visited Majed Alloush at a new charity for us. Tony Azar had introduced Majed to us at the JC on 1/11/12 -- the head of a drug addiction program that had helped a friend of Tony. They had a great record of success by including the entire family in rehab. On 2/27/12 we returned with the Schafers. Palestinians (and the world) need more people like Sawsan, Fatima, Yassin, Usama & Majed.

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Bethany's struggles reflect many current realities. Today, it is no longer a town of camels & antiquity. But charitable societies & individuals like those above were striving to cope with the modern times in which they must live.

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RAMALLAH [See Sept. '10 post, "Political & Civil Events"]

On 6/14/11 we made our first visits to 3 charities north of Jerusalem. (We have provided hygiene kits to each of these.) Ramallah is only 6 miles away but with the Separation Wall, it can take up to an hour. It began in the 16th century and is now the HQ for the P.A. Some day it could be the capital of Palestine.

PCRF. Our first stop was at the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund. It has small and clean offices on the top floor of the aging 5-story Betuni Bldg. PCRF volunteers provide surgicare to Palestinian children, both here and also in USA, Europe and 3 Middle East nations.

We met with Suheil Flaifl (Project Mgr.) & Noura (admin. asst.) to arrange delivery of hygiene kits for use in 24 children's summer camps in Ramallah, Jenin, East Jerusalem & Gaza. Its CEO, Steve Sosebee from Ohio, will be in the USA all summer -- largely to raise more funds.

Unlike PMRS (located in the NE of Ramallah in al-Bireh, 1st below), PCRF is on the older NW side -- but near the new Bank of Palestine HQ.

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PMRS. The Palestinian Medical Relief Society had its own modern bldg. in developing Al-Bireh. It was started in 1979 to fill some medical gaps and now provides primary care for all the West Bank -- with 17 programs thru schools, pharmacies, rehab centers & hospitals.

They share their modern 4-story bldg. with the School of Community Health, where women are trained to provide ob/gyn home care to other women.

We met Sameh Jarallah, External Rels. Dir. (Gen. Mgr. of the Commodore Hotel in 1987) and Amra, admin. asst. from Chicago.

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Al Merage. Finally, we visited Director Kareem Nejem & two board members of a midtown charity -- midway between the other two. It trains women to support themselves by raising bees (for honey) & small animals like sheep (for wool) & goats (for milk) in their own yards.

Their hygiene kits were transported by Yasser Hamdi, their atty and our JC neighbor. West Bank has many needs; we hope our kits are helpful.

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REFUGEE CAMPS

Palestinian refugee camps were established by the U.N. when Israel became a state after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War to help Palestine refugees who were forced, or chose, to leave Palestine (depending on Israeli or Arab interpretations). U.N. Resolution 194 grants Palestinians certain rights of return to their homeland, but Israel does not allow such a return. The number of registered refugees has now grown from under 1 million to about 5 million.

The UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) defines Palestine refugees as: "persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948, who lost both their homes & means of livelihood" due to the 1948 War.

UNRWA recognizes facilities in 59 refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank & Gaza. There are 19 such camps in the West Bank. For a camp to be recognized by UNRWA, it must have an agreement with the host govt. regarding use of the camp. UNRWA itself does not run any camps but does provide services. Designated refugee camps developed from tent cities to rows of concrete blockhouses to urban ghettos. They house around 1/3rd of all registered Palestine refugees.

JERICHO

Aqabat Jaber -- We visited this refugee camp on 4/19/11. It was one of the first camps established in 1948. It now has about 5,000 there. Leaders of the Beit al Maqdes Charitable Society in E. Jerusalem took us there (3 km SW of Jericho) to help deliver hygiene kits. Some predecessors had provided food, clothing & supplies from the USA. We could only bring them kits.

They accepted our kits but pleaded for food, clothing, water... & money. We left them with long faces, sorry that we couldn't help more.

Next, we visited a large new school constructed for the camp by UNWRA, with financial support from a Spanish development agency.

Inside, we met with school administrators and some cute children.

Inside were many art displays in a large cultural hall.

While there, 13 other schools came to pick up our kits. They seemed very happy with them. Each individual recipient was carefully recorded.

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SHU'FAT

Al Quds Society for the Disabled & Special Needs. On 7/5/11 we drove thru NE Jerusalem to this checkpoint and entered Jerusalem's only refugee camp. Israeli presence here is mostly limited to manning checkpoints that control entry and exit.

This was the last refugee camp created on the West Bank -- in 1966. (Note the separation Wall skirting Shu'fat.) It lies north of French Hill & al-Isawiya, due east of Shu'fat. The original 50 acres have doubled since it opened in 1966. The original population of 1,500 is now about 20,000.

Shu'fat camp has suffered from poor urban planning, overcrowding & bad roads. Its residents carry Jerusalem ID cards and pay Israeli taxes -- entitling them to some healthcare & municipal services (like water & some utilities). Also, over 70% work in Jerusalem.

Shu'fat camp is serviced by the UNRWA -- despite nearly 1/2 not being registered refugees. They don't live in tents now but in concrete bldgs.

Shu'fat has long been a refuge for refugees. After Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 CE, many Jews settled there until being driven out during the Bar Kokhba Revolt of 135 CE. Arab refugees were also resettled in Shu'fat after Jordan destroyed much of the Old City, and Israel retook west Jerusalem & Ashkelon during the 1948 Arab/Israeli War. It is now predominantly Arab.

During the 2nd Intifada (2001), violence again flared when Israelis razed Arab houses built without permits -- also, supposedly posing security risks.

Now Shuafat camp is undergoing some urban renewal -- enticing a few businesses to relocate from East Jerusalem & new investment in commercial projects. Also, Jerusalem's new Light Rail line goes down the middle of Shu'fat's main street (old route 60), with 3 stations in Shu'fat.

Quds Charitable Society for the Disabled & Special Education was created in 1993 by UNRWA and now runs a large multi-purpose rehab, school and community center. Included are speech, vocational and psysio therapy.

Operations are staffed with 7 full-time teachers, medics or therapists plus another 7 volunteers. Below is Ann (a Jewish physiotherapist volunteer) and Ashgan (full-time Manager with her daughter Dina, age 5).

Muhammed Rahman Fadel (the charity's Secretary) & Ali Gayaza (board member) accompanied us. Both are camp residents but are also "normal" school teachers in Shu’fat (on the Israeli side).