Improving the lives of children with special needs

1. Project Overview

The Improving the Lives of Children with Special Needs project is dedicated to providing rehabilitation, educational, and social inclusion services for children with disabilities in Bethlehem. Our goal is to help these children build confidence, improve their skills, and lead fuller, more independent lives.

However, the growing demand for services, especially in the aftermath of the ongoing crisis, has placed significant pressure on our limited resources.

2. Progress in the Last 3 Months

Despite financial and staffing limitations, the project achieved the following during this quarter:

• Rehabilitation sessions: Delivered approximately 120 physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions for 25 children with moderate to severe disabilities.

• Educational support: Provided after-school tutoring and learning support for 15 children to improve academic and cognitive skills.

• Family counseling: Organized 4 small-group sessions with parents to provide guidance on home care and emotional support strategies.

• Community inclusion activities: Hosted 2 recreational activities in safe spaces, reaching 30 children for social and emotional engagement.

3. Beneficiary Numbers

Due to reduced capacity, we were able to support fewer children this quarter:

Total direct beneficiaries: ~40 children and 20 parents
Total indirect beneficiaries: ~250 individuals

4. Current Challenges

• High demand, low capacity: The number of children requiring support continues to rise, but our ability to accommodate them remains limited.

• Financial constraints: Reduced funding has limited therapy hours, educational programs, and staff capacity.

• Emotional burden on families: Many caregivers are overwhelmed and in need of more consistent psychosocial support.

5. Plans for the Next Quarter

• Expand therapy hours if additional funding becomes available to reach at least 35 children.

• Launch a volunteer program to support recreational and educational activities.

• Seek partnerships with local organizations to share costs and expand reach.

6. Call for Support

With your support, we can increase the number of children receiving therapy, educational support, and inclusion activities. Every donation helps us provide life-changing services to children who deserve a chance to thrive despite their challenges.

7. Gratitude

We extend our deepest thanks to our donors and supporters. Your contributions, even in these challenging times, are helping children with disabilities in Bethlehem take steps toward independence and inclusion.