Support Families with Special Needs in Palestine

Seven year old Hana lived with her impoverished parents and two younger sisters in a tent in an isolated, dusty part of the West Bank.  Born developmentally delayed, she could not speak, walk, or do anything for herself. Frequently, she lay outside on blanket, grabbing, and sometimes eating dirt.
 
Last December, caring Israelis visiting families in that area saw her and asked the Homes to help her. Initially totally withdrawn and overwhelmed, Hana now happily works with the physical and occupational therapists, participates in many activities, smiles! communicates her wishes clearly, tho not via speech, and can go independently! where she wishes. Since she came to us, the Homes have frequently sent pictures to her family to keep them appraised of her progress.
 
In March, to celebrate the Eid  with her family, Hana went home for several days. Her parents, were ecstatic over her progress—her ability to communicate, to feed herself with finger foods, to move her wheelchair, to brush her hair.  Never had they thought she could do so much.
 
Now back at the Homes, she happily works hard to achieve more skills — such as transferring in and out of her chair, to feed herself with a spoon, and someday, to walk.
 
YOUR support of the Homes has enabled Hana to achieve these triumphs. On her behalf, and behalf of the others whose lives you are enriching, our deepest thanks.
  

YOUR support has provided a superlative gift—the enhancement of our residents’ ability to celebrate Ramadan!

During the holy month of Ramadan, our residents and their families enjoy being together—whether at the Homes or on home visits.  Our occupational and physical therapists work closely with the residents, many of whom are elderly or have special needs, to work with their mobility challenges, assisting them to move from their beds to chairs or to participate in family gatherings at home with less of a burden on their families. This physical support enables them to experience a sense of connection to their spiritual lives during Ramadan. 

In Palestine, especially during Ramadan families usually take time off work to assist loved ones, to be close to them and spend more time with each other. Having more people at home to help makes our residents’ time in their homes easier and more enjoyable. Despite the great challenges in the environments from which most of our residents comes, many of them live in rural areas with unpaved roads and with limited access to public transport. The Homes’ teams help the families so these obstacles are not insurmountable. 

Our residents therefore, can feel more integrated into society and continue practicing their religious rituals with their families with minimal support. During this holy time, this is especially meaningful because the residents can engage in their home community spirit of Ramadan along with their spiritual life.

Some residents cannot return to their homes because of ill family members, roadblocks or current invasions of their villages.  For them and all who are not presently on a visit, as well and staff, and some family and/or community members, the Homes has daily iftars—the meal that breaks the day-long fast from food and water--often provided by generous members of the community. Residents happily make sweets for the iftars.

Our residents and staff thank you for all your support which makes this possible.