Caritas always tries to integrate and reach different sectors of the Palestinian society; it works with the educated youth to the simple peasant. It works in different areas in the Holy Land with various kinds of projects and programs. Always having in mind Deuteronomy 15:11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy “It is very important to arrange such events for poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. the former drug addicts, who often feel marginalized from society at large and these Claudette Habesch sorts of activities encourage them to keep on Secretary General going and boost their self esteem. It also keeps Caritas Jerusalem them in contact with our center for continued rehabilitation.” said Tamer Zakak, the OCCC Ramadan Iftar dinner in Ein Arik, director. Jerusalem and Rammun

Ein Arik is a Palestinian town in the northern , where Caritas Jerusalem has been involved in the community and manages a youth and culture center since 2006.

On Thursday 16 of August, in coordination with the village council and local families, the volunteers of Caritas Jerusalem prepared a Ramadan Iftar dinner for 100 needy families in the village. Iftar is the daily break-the-fast meal during the month of Ramadan, observed by across the world. Iftar in Rammun “The Iftar was arranged by Caritas Jerusalem to promote civic participation, support poor families and foster brotherhood,” said Yara Zayed Caritas Jerusalem project manager.

The volunteers displayed an admirable sense On the 30th of July, the health department of unity in managing tasks within various prepared an Iftar for chronic patients in the teams, including preparing and cooking the town of Rammun near as part of the food from early afternoon and delivering the convenio plan. This program was funded by packed meals to families one hour before our partner Caritas Spain and the Spanish sunset. Government.

Seventy chronic patients, the head of the town council and Caritas Jerusalem’s health department coordinators were present.

“We took this opportunity to bring the chronic patients together and discuss activities and services that Caritas Jerusalem offers in Taybeh with them. We just wanted to pass along some information and let them know that we do care about their health and are

Volunteers packing the meals willing to invest in activities that can improve Another Iftar, funded by the Faisal Husseini their quality of life,” Said Jameel Khoury, Foundation, was organized by Caritas Caritas Jerusalem Convenio manager Jerusalem’s Old City Counselling Center (OCCC). Many social workers, rehabilitated drug users and their families were invited.

Caritas Jerusalem Empowers the Youth Being a highly educated, unemployed population makes for growing discontentment Caritas Jerusalem Promotes Employment and frustration in the oPt. among Educated Palestinian Youth In an attempt to improve employment and civic engagement opportunities amongst “Since the Israeli blockade was imposed, there Palestinian youth, Caritas Jerusalem’s youth are few options left for young people looking department joined forces with the Jerusalem for a job. This course gives them an advantage Open University in to deliver 160 over their peers and prepares them for the hours of specialized training to nineteen competitive market. We are hopeful to university students (8 young women and 11 continue such courses with other universities young men) from the Ramallah governorate. and institutions throughout Palestine.” Tony

Abdo, Caritas Jerusalem youth department The three months course consisted of 120 coordinator. hours of training, including both theoretical

and practical training sessions. Participants The lack of job opportunities for young people learned how to draft their resumes, improve in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) has their computer and English language skills; created an unemployment crisis while the and gained hands-on experience for practicing largest generation, born in the 1980s, has what they had learnt in agencies and reached working age. The resources available companies for 40 hours. for this group are limited with regards to finding employment that provides income and status, extending to freedom and participation in society.

The latest figures from the World Bank Statistics show that 23.5 percent of the population in the West Bank is out of work.

According to UN figures, 43.4 percent of the Palestinian population is under 15; and in the Gaza Strip 63.4 percent of 15-24 year-olds are unemployed, rising to 75.8 percent among women.

In her graduation ceremony speech, the Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem Mrs. Claudette Habesch, emphasized the importance of investing in the Palestinian youth and discouraging them from migrating to other countries. “Empowering young people with better skills is a huge challenge when road blocks and checkpoints make getting to and from work difficult. In the West Bank it is really very difficult to have a proper career and work life. Nevertheless, Caritas Jerusalem will

continue in its mission to do everything within

its power to push the youth forward, so that

they become productive members of society.

They are the future, that’s why we need to

invest in them.”

Five families chose to use the grant to buy From Charity to Development livestock - mainly sheep - to start a small dairy and meat business. Mohamad is one of the Freedom and Financial Independence project recipients who works in construction when the opportunity arises, who acquired a number of sheep to start a small herd. Although this venture may not be enough of an Zababdeh is a small village near Jenin in the income to support his five children, he sees it northern West Bank, which is surrounded by as an opportunity to build a sustainable income fig and olive groves and home to around 3 600 for himself and his family since he now has people. Unfortunately, as in much of the West sheep, sufficient experience and the space to Bank, opportunities are limited in the village develop such a project. and many families continue to live in poverty. The ten other beneficiaries had different ideas: In 2011 Caritas Jerusalem, supported by Ursula is refurbishing her small restaurant; Caritas Belgium, started a pilot project Rami is improving his business by buying new designed to promote economic empowerment equipment for his gym; Saadeh is expanding and alleviate poverty of 15 families. “The his grocery; Laila, a widow and a mother of project aims at shifting aid from welfare to a five is opening a new salon; Milad is buying genuine economic independence” said Yara new machinery for his small tire puncture Zayed, project officer at Caritas Jerusalem. repair shop. A cosmetics shop will open soon, “This year, another 17 families were selected managed by Rachel while Jiries, a construction based on their socio economic profile to worker, will increase his income by leasing his benefit from financial aid and interest-free new construction equipments. Khader, who loans to start an income-generating project.” works in a clothing factory with a limited salary, is buying a new sewing machine to work at home after hours and over the weekends. Awwad is expanding his hand car wash shop by buying new car wash equipment and Mr. and Mrs. K who are both unemployed and struggling to raise six children, are buying a new sewing machine to work from home.

Each project receives 3,000 Euros in three installments over a period of one year. While the first payment of 1,000 Euros is a loan without interest lent by the Caritas Jerusalem microcredit department, the two subsequent Success story: Maysoon, a widow with four installments of 1,000 Euros are grants. The children walking in her green house with participants are obligated to repay the loan 12 Caritas Jerusalem Secretary General. months after the first payment and have a grace period of three months. Once received, The “charity to development” program, which the money is reinvested into the project. will run for three years, is in its second year of implementation. In 2013, Caritas Jerusalem will select an additional 15 beneficiaries in Zababdeh.

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