Dear friends,

Caritas is the Socio Pastoral care of the and its work reflects the In 1990, the United Nations General social mission of the Church. st Assembly designated October 1 as the This month we focused on encouraging International Day for the Elderly. The day the local youth to get involved in is dedicated to honor, respect and care for community work in Ain Arik. the world’s elderly.

th We honoured our senior citizens on the On the 30 of September Caritas International Day of the Elderly through celebrated the International Day our Elderly Day Care Center in . of the Elderly in cooperation with the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical We supported a small business enterprise Foundation (HCEF) with 85 elderly, 50 through our loan department. from the EDCC and 35 from the HCEF in , a Palestinian town north of We were able to provide warm and loving Ramallah. environment to vulnerable children through our Old City Counseling Center in The day started by the celebration of the Jerusalem. Holy Mass in the Immaculate Conception parish church in Birzeit. Fr. Louis We were also able to open a new Hazboun, the local parish priest, recreational park in Abu Falah through our welcomed the elderly and preached about health department. the value of old age. Some of our senior citizens from the Elderly Day Care Center We thank our partners and friends who (EDCC) took an active role in the service believe and support Caritas Jerusalem’s by reading the Epistles, texts and joined in activities. Without them we cannot do all singing the hymns. the things that we do in the Holy Land.

Fr. Raed Abusahlia General Director Caritas Jerusalem

Mind The Elderly Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of The elderly were accompanied by distinguished guests to the event’s hall in glory; it is gained in a righteous life . the vicinity: The Minister of Social

Affairs, Dr. Kamal Shrafi; The Governor of Ramallah &Al Bireh, Dr. Laila Ghannam, The Mayor of Birzeit Mr. Haseeb Keleh; The General Director of Caritas Jerusalem, Fr. Raed Abusahlia;The Reginol Director of HCEF, Eng. Anthony Habash; Fr. Emanuel Musallam and Fr. Louis Hazboun.

The celebration came into its conclusion by a festive lunch and the distribution of presents to the elderly. A similar activity took place in Ramallah Drug consumption has a destructive on the 20th of September in cooperation impact on the household and on children with St. Vincent De Paul to honor the in particular, therefore the OCCC’s camp elderly. More than 100 senior citizens took is considered a unique occasion for part in this celebration. children to get away from the tensions they feel at home. The Elderly Day Care Center (EDCC) is a friendly home in Ramallah where over 85 Consumption of energy drinks is elderly people see their medical, widespread among teenagers, particularly emotional and social needs answered. in Jerusalem where there are no educational campaigns of their side It was established in 1990 with a Christian effects, which lead to physical dependence ethos but open to all, to serve the elderly and negative health consequences. who are left without a breadwinner and Therefore, this year’s camp focused on the without care. It is a place to meet, beverages’ negative effects. socialize and spend the long hours of the day. In addition, it offers a healthy and well balanced meal three days a week, especially prepared to meet their nutritional requirement.

More details on our website Caritas Jerusalem was able to integrate a www.caritasjr.org lot of fun and recreation with a variety of activities to raise their awareness to healthy eating and drinking. Summer Camp for Vulnerable Children The camp came into its conclusion on the 26th of August. Parents, family members It is easier to build strong children than to and friends were invited to the OCCC repair broken men. where the campers exhibited their work of arts and crafts.

Volunteer work camp

Caritas Jerusalem volunteers make a difference in Ain Arik

On the 12th of August 2013 Caritas Jerusalem’s Old City Counseling Center (OCCC) organized its ninth summer camp for 24 children (12 girls and 12 boys aged 7-12) of drug addicts.

Twenty-four children participated in a fortnight of fun with educative and entertaining programs geared to their special needs. We make an impact on people's lives

On the 14th of October Caritas Jerusalem’s Youth Department organized a two day “Caritas Jerusalem believes that the working camp for thirty-two young men future of our country and its people and women volunteers in Caritas depend on the youth and that is why we Jerusalem’s Cultural Center in Ain Arik. are always looking for ways to cultivate (A Palestinian town, located 7 kilometers and improve their skills.” Stated Fr. Raed west of Ramallah.) Abusahlia, Caritas Jerusalem’s General Caritas Jerusalem volunteers came Director. together from different cities in : Ain Arik, , Ramallah, Birzeit, Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Beit Jala to serve the local community.

“The youth interacted with their fellow The youth were divided into three working volunteers, working towards a shared groups and started implementing their purpose: that is to serve their local assigned tasks straight away. They were communities. The spirit of volunteerism able to paint the halls of the Latin was very high and the thirty-two young Patriarchate, the Roman Orthodox Church men and women worked tirelessly in order and Caritas Jerusalem’s Cultural Center in to achieve their goals.” Tony Abdo, Ain Arik in no time.Some local youth Caritas Jerusalem’s youth department were inspired by the volunteers and gave coordinator. them a helping hand. The Opening of the Recreational A night prayer was held and the youth Park in Abu Falah discussed ways to improve their voluntary work. "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." ~Jim Rohn

On the 21st of October 2013 Caritas Jerusalem celebrated the opening of a recreational park in Abu Falah, (a Palestinian town which is located 26 kilometers northeast of Ramallah).

More than 80 chronic patients attended the event, including Caritas Jerusalem’s health department staff, local council members, representatives of government and private institutions and citizens. Caritas Jerusalem and Caritas Spain The construction of the park promotes launched a large program in 2010 which health and wellness for there are no such aims at improving health care services in recreational areas in the town. Exercise the Palestinian State and the Gaza Strip. It can have important health benefits to the focuses on public health prevention for chronic patient and providing them with high-risk population, emphasizing on the facilities is essential their overall health participation of the civil society to reach condition. its goals.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners Caritas Spain, the Spanish Cooperation of International Development (AECID) and the Spanish Government for their support and solidarity with Caritas Jerusalem and the people that we serve.

Financing Small Business Enterprises

Providing reasonable loans to families and individuals can considerably improve their lives

“Our purpose is to provide all the services that a chronic patient might need. We do this, through the establishment of recreational areas, through health committees, psychosocial intervention and awareness campaigns.” Jameel Khoury, Caritas Jerusalem’s Health Department Manager.

Farah is a 46 year old man who lives in the old city of Jerusalem. He used to work as a doorman, earning minimum salary, which

was not enough to get married and lead an independent life.

He decided to rent a small store in the Christian Quarter (in the old city) and open a grocery; he renovated the place, but was unable to raise the initial capital needed to open his business.

Before After

Farah obtained USD 7,000 from Caritas Jerusalem’s micro-credit department and in no time started his business. He is very content and happy to get out of his dead- end job.

“Now, I can get married and start my own family.” He says.

Caritas Jerusalem believes that small loans are a chance to encourage local entrepreneurship and to help them become self sufficient.

Caritas Jerusalem’s Micro-Credit Department focuses on loans for education, emergency needs, house renovation and business development.

How can you help? Support our activities. Your support is essential to provide long-term assistance to our beneficiaries. Please see below our bank details to make a donation:

Bank Name: Arab Bank Swift Code: ARABPS 22110 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