Dear friends, Two Income Generating Caritas Jerusalem is happy to announce Initiatives the inauguration of two income God helps those who help themselves generating centers. These centers have created jobs and the profit we hope to In September 2014 Caritas Jerusalem make will be used to cover our other started two income generating activities. initiatives in Palestine; one in Ramallah and the other in Bethlehem. We have also moved our Old City Central to these initiatives is the aim to Counseling Center to a new location in improve the living standards of the East Jerusalem- Abu Tor south of the citizens and to increase the economic old city where addiction and substance capacity of Caritas Jerusalem, so that it abuse is on the rise. can cover the running cost of some of its programs. We at Caritas Jerusalem act where there is need and do our best to aid the Caritas Jerusalem Training needy in every possible way we can. Center in Ramallah We do this with the help of our local Come and get new life skills and international friends and partners.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners who spare no efforts in order to give us a helping hand to the people of the Holy Land.

Fr. Raed Abusahlia General Director Caritas Jerusalem

A great majority of people in Palestine are living below the poverty line. This calls for preparing the people with technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills aimed at income generation in order to solve the problems associated with acute poverty.

Caritas Betharram Center Come apart to a peaceful place and rest with us

Fifteen women are already being trained in sewing and dressmaking at the center in Jabal Al Nijmah near Ramallah. After nine months of completing their training, the women will launch a fashion show to show off their newly acquired skills.

Come be a guest in our guest house located in the Carmelite Sisters Monastery in Bethlehem, where St. Mary of Jesus Crucified relics are housed in the monastery’s chapel.

The Training Center is equipped with all the necessary machines, tools and furniture with a professional trainer at their disposal.

The inauguration of the center was made possible through the generous support of our friends The Representative of Malta to the Palestinian Authority, Santa Margherita Parish in Lucca – Italy, The Olive Association of Scotland, The Polish Government, Caritas Poland and

Palestine Telecommunication The Chapel Company (PALTEL).

The guest house is only 10 minutes walking distance from the Nativity Church and surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is the ideal place for spiritual retreats, Biblical sessions, pilgrimages and workshops.

The Reception

Whether you are a pilgrim, tourist or a passer-by, we offer you a friendly, personal service in a tranquil and homely atmosphere. You are all welcome.

A Single Room The Old City Counseling Center (OCCC) Caritas Jerusalem Guest House offers 40 attractively-priced and comfortable rooms, including singles, doubles and family size rooms. Guests can arrange to stay on bed- and-breakfast, half- board or full-board options.

In October Caritas Jerusalem’s OCCC has moved to a new location in Abu Tor south of the Old City of Jerusalem where drug addiction and trafficking is on the rise. The new location will The dining room seats 100 people target the neglected area where there

isn’t any organization in the vicinity to This is one of the best places to enjoy a tackle the phenomenon of drug abuse. peaceful rest for those travellers seeking a quiet and spiritual place in

Bethlehem.

The Center has already started to Since 2001, the OCCC developed its develop its network with the local scope of work to reach out to the community, the youth and the schools. whole community with awareness Our first guests were children from the raising activities on the streets of East neighbouring school; it’s never too Jerusalem. early to teach children ways of staying healthy. The children had a wonderful The establishment of the Center was time in the new center by painting, made possible through the generous drawing and playing games at the same support of our friends from Caritas time they were informed about the France. dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other unhealthy habit forming activities. Working together in rural areas

Every year the OCCC organizes workshops and awareness programs in From the 22nd of September 2014 to schools and universities. It holds st summer camps for children who come the 1 of October 2014 Caritas from drug afflicted families. Jerusalem in cooperation with Caritas International Belgium launched a Synergy project in – northern in Palestine. This project endeavours to support the local economic development through partners’ dialogue.

The project is co-funded by the Belgium Government and Caritas International Belgium.

During the ten day visit, both Caritas How can you help? Jerusalem and Caritas Belgium conducted several Support our activities institutional meetings at the Belgium Your support is essential to provide Consulate, Belgian Development long-term assistance to our Agency, the French Development beneficiaries. Agency and Cooperation Agency of Please see below our bank details to the Association of Netherlands make a donation: Municipalities. Bank Name: Arab Bank

Swift Code: ARABPS 22110 This project focuses on individual Account number: 457793/0/510 USD support to enhance family micro Credit Account: Caritas Jerusalem businesses, strengthen the local IBAN: PS52 ARAB 0000 0000 9110 community to establish better 4577 9351 0 community priorities, sponsor cultural Branch No: 9110 and sportive events and organize At Arab Bank in Al-Ram vocational trainings. P.O.Box: 2445-Al-Ram

Jerusalem

They also met representatives from several villages in such as Jalameh, A’rrana, , North , South Beit Qad, , Aba, Faqqu’a, Jalbum, Deir Abu Daif and Zababdeh.