International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people 29 November 2014
Dear friends and partners, Due to the deterioration of the situation, lack of progress in the peace Since 1948, we Palestinians have talks and the expansion of the experienced dispossession and exile. settlements mistrust and enmity Our Diaspora counts today more than 9 between people have increased. Failing million people all over the world. to overcome mistrust will only condemn further generations of Since 1967, we Palestinians continue Palestinians and Israelis to more to live under occupation. Checkpoints, conflict and more suffering. the Separation wall, lack of access to farmlands and violations are part of Let us, on this International Day, pray our daily life. that the parties cease provocations and create a conductive environment for After decades of fruitless negotiations meaningful negotiations. and faced with a shrinking homeland, nothing has changed. In fact things are Blessed are the peacemakers, for getting from bad to worse. Separation, they shall be called children of segregation, violation, demolition, God animosity and disrespect for basic human rights are all on the rise. The message we want to convey to our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel is It has been a very hard year for us. The that “Justice to the Palestinian people war in Gaza, the unrest in the West is the only fruit of peace and security. Bank, the ongoing tension in Jerusalem Justice will enable both peoples to live has devastated all the fragile resources in the beauty of peace in the Holy of the Palestinian population in the Land which should be and remain Holy Land. Holy.”
Fr. Raed Abusahlia General Director Caritas Jerusalem
Empowering people with a small loan in partnership with
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchure of Jerusalem
Alice, has repaid the loan in due time; Many people in low-wealth in 2014 she decided to take another communities have big dreams, but no loan from Caritas Jerusalem to fill her way to put them into action. Those in place with seasonal products. She underserved neighborhoods often have received 8,000 USD through the difficulty getting start-up funding for Equestrian Order of the Holy businesses. Caritas Jerusalem Sepulchre of Jerusalem. endeavors to strengthen these families by giving them loans to make a living with dignity.
Alice is a married woman who lives with her husband and son in their own apartment in Beit Sahour. Alice has started her own small business in 2002 in Beit Sahour city center, selling home accessories such as blankets, curtains and towels. In 2011, Alice received a 12,000 USD loan from Caritas Jerusalem’s micro credit department in order to develop her small business. She also rented the store next door to expand and diversify her products which greatly increased her profits. During our past experience and recent field visits to her business place we have discovered that Alice is managing her business in a professional way with high awareness of customer service and a good financial reputation with the wholesalers since she used the whole loan amount given to purchase the required winter goods for the upcoming season.
Caritas Jerusalem organizes field visits to treatment centers and community based organizations
We are always ready to learn
“One of the aims of the micro credit department is to enable people to start, expand and become self – sufficient in their small businesses; Alice is really focused on the idea of taking her business to the next level.” Stated Rami Hazaz, the head of the micro credit department On the 21st of November Caritas Jerusalem’s Old City Counselling Center (OCCC) team accompanied by university students in the field of social work visited two centers for the treatment of drug addicts in Haifa northern Israel.
They visited a treatment center in Tamra where they met with their counterparts and exchanged ideas, experiences and ways to combat the phenomenon of drug abuse.
Later they visited the House of Grace in Haifa which is operated by the Roman Catholic Church, where they accept the abuser and the family with love and care.
The Old City Counseling Center was established in 1999 to offer integrated services to drug addicts, their families, the youth and residents of East Jerusalem especially in the Old City through counselling, support, prevention and guidance.
The main goal of the center is to decrease drug use and abuse and its negative impact on the individual, the
family and the society. “Both centers use different rehabilitation methods and it was very informative for our team in the OCCC and the students to experience the work of other centers first hand.” Tamer Zakkak, the director of the OCCC stated after the educational trip.
It is noteworthy to mention that the OCCC organizes workshops with Bethlehem University, Birzeit University and Al Quds University in its scope of work.
Bethlehem in a Book It is a must read
A Guide to Bethlehem and the Holy Land is a humble attempt by Prof. Qustandi Shomali and his wife Mrs. Sawsan to bring the most important sites of Bethlehem in particular and the Holy Land in general in pictures and texts. It was funded by Caritas Jerusalem, and the profit will be used for charitable causes.
In November 2014, Caritas Jerusalem in cooperation with Bethlehem Municipality organized an event to launch a book by a Palestinian author Prof. Qustandi Al -Shomali titled A Guide to Bethlehem and the Holy Land.
This book focuses on the historical and religious sites in Bethlehem and the Holy Land. As having such a book will add an extra attention to these places and will preserve the Palestinian How can you help? identity. Support our activities It is very vital to have a detailed Your support is essential to provide description about the history of long-term assistance to our Bethlehem where everything started. beneficiaries. Please see below our bank details to Caritas Jerusalem not only cares about make a donation: social cases, it also cares about Bank Name: Arab Bank literature and encourages the creativity Swift Code: ARABPS 22110 of writing skills. Account number: 457793/0/510 USD Credit Account: Caritas Jerusalem Branch No: 9110 At Arab Bank in Al-Ram P.O.Box: 2445-Al-Ram Jerusalem