| December 17, 2003
Dear Friends,
These are indeed very difficult times for the Palestinian people
and especially for their children, due to the ongoing intifada,
which is now in its fourth year. That, coupled with the severe
Israeli measures and the restrictions of movement imposed on the
entire civilian population of the Occupied Territores, has led
to severe social and economic consequences for the Palestinian
people. These measures have been devastating, and no Palestinian
has escaped their impact.
Some 65 percent of the Palestinian population is now living below
the poverty line of U.S.$2.00 per day, and unemployment has risen
to more than 50 percent in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Palestinians are denied the basic human rights to move freely
and to work, and so they cannot provide for themselves or for
their families. This has led to increased malnutrition and other
health problems, especially amongst children.
To make things worse, Israel’s construction of the Separation
Fence—which consists of a huge, eight-meter high wall that
is currently being built—has separated parts of the West
Bank from one another. Entire communities are being choked off,
with no adequate access to food, medical assistance, schools,
jobs, etc.
(For details on these issues, see: www.amnesty.org;
www.stopthewall.org )
Due to this increasingly worsening situation, more and more Palestinians
are forced to depend upon charity and humanitarian aid.
A local charitable organization that I know, the Suba Charitable
Society, is no longer able to keep up with the increasing demands,
which have put a severe strain on their already limited resources.
The Suba Charitable Society runs a kindergarten and day-care center
for children of poor families (at no cost to the families, who
cannot afford to pay) and supports needy families, providing them
with food, clothes, medicines, financial aid, and free services
(courses in computers, hair-dressing, sewing and embroidery; a
library, lectures, and medical assistance).
There are 95 underprivileged children attending the day-care
center. The number of families seeking their support has reached
close to 350.
The Suba Charitable Society is located in Al-Azzariyyeh, the
biblical Bethany, mentioned in the New Testament many times, on
the outskirts of Jerusalem, but now being separated from it by
the Israeli “security fence” or wall, and the checkpoint
that prevents most of Bethany's inhabitants from getting to work,
mosque, or church. In spite of all of these obstacles, they are
determined to carry on with the work that they began 20 years
ago.
They are launching an appeal for immediate assistance, with the
hope that you can help these children.
- $5.00 will provide a child with a hot meal at school for a
day
- $16.00 will provide a child with a school uniform
- $25.00 will provide a warm blanket
- $30.00 will cover the cost of a child's transporation to/from
school for a month
- $70.00 will provide a family of four with a package of much-needed
supplies
- $90.00 will buy a child a set of winter clothes and a pair
of shoes (many of the children have no shoes!)
- $150.00 will pay half of a teacher's monthly salary.
- $170.00 will support a child for a year, and pay for his/her
school fees
In addition
- $45.00 will provide a Palestinian mother with one embroidery
kit (three meters of fabric, a set of thread in a range of colors,
and needles), with which she can make beautiful Palestinian
embroidery and earn a small income for herself and for her family.
If you can help, please contact Ms. Suzana Zorko, the Suba Charities
co-ordinator at suba_suba2002@yahoo.com.
Donations may be mailed directly to:
For Children Of Bethany
P.O. Box 38353
Jerusalem
Via Israel
Let the children of Bethany see the light of God’s endless
goodness this coming holiday season. Your contribution, no matter
how small, can surely make a difference in one child’s life.
With best regards,
Doug Dicks
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Regional Liaison for Israel, Palestine,
and Jordan
Jerusalem
Email: crsdoug@netvision.net.il
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