Drawing a smile for disabled children in Bethlehem

Noor Society for Disabled Persons would like to thank all of you who supported and contributed to the development of its activities during the period from 9 December 2018 to 28 February 2019 as it continued to provide free quality rehabilitation services to children with disabilities and their families in Aida and Al-Azzeh refugee camps in Bethlehem, Palestine. The services provided by Noor Society have included physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy sessions both in the Noor School for Rehabilitation in Aida camp and in the homes of the children. Some of these services (namely the physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions) have also been open to adults and elderly persons who are in need and cannot afford the therapies otherwise.

During the reporting period Noor Society has implemented health, rehabilitation, psychological and environmental activities aimed at highlighting the contribution of persons with disabilities towards the community and strengthening its inclusiveness.

The number of children, adults and elderly who have benefited from Noor Society services during the reporting period include the following:

• Rehabilitation program: 7 persons with disabilities of different ages (1 female, 6 males) with microcephalia, CP, hyperactive disorder and autism.
• Physiotherapy: Regular (one to three) sessions per week for 12 children (5 females and 7 males) and 10 adults and elderly (7 women and 3 men).
• Occupational therapy: Regular (daily or every two days) sessions for 12 children and 10 adults and elderly, the same who are receiving physiotherapy sessions.
• Speech therapy: Regular (3 days a week) sessions for a total of 19 children (5 females and 7 males). At the end of 12/2018, 7 children from them were discharged (5 males, 2 female) between 5 and 7 years old.
• Learning difficulties: Regular classes (three times per week) for 29 children (13 females, 16 males) between the ages of 6 and 12, divided into 4 groups based on age and academic development.
• Psychological support: Individual sessions for 12 persons (7 females, 5 males) between the ages of 5 to 23 years.

The Home Visits Program has also reached the members of 7 families who have been regularly visited by Noor Society’s staff (doctor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist and speech therapist). These cases are unable to reach the association due to their conditions and therefore receive medical and rehabilitation services at their homes, and their caretakers receive trainings on how to treat them accordingly.

During the reporting period, Noor Society has also conducted the following trainings:

• Weekly training courses for 20 mothers every Saturday afternoon to discuss on topics related to health, psychological issues, environmental issues, disability and inclusion.
• Weekly training courses for school students of fifth grade (42 students) and eighth grade (38 students) to raise awareness on psychological, social and environmental issues and disability (including types of disabilities and how to better support persons with disabilities).
• Practical training programme for 11 university students from the disciplines of physiotherapy (2), education (6) and social services (3) from Al-Quds University, Bethlehem University, and Al-Quds Open University to enhance the practical experience in their respective areas of study.

Further to these, Noor Society has held the following recreational activities and events:

• Painting of Noor Society’s walls (12 participants).
• Distribution of winter clothes (45 beneficiaries).
• Two entertaining events for the members of the association and their families (63 participants).
• Speech therapy activities: Assessment of 60 kindergarten children.

All these services and activities have taken us closer to achieving our goals for 2019. Thanks to your trust and support we will continue to encourage our communities to cooperate and develop to the maximum the capacities of the persons with disabilities in order to build a more inclusive, healthy and environmentally friendly society for all.

Links:

• Noor society work!!