News Letter - Spring 2001

SPRING 2001

Dear Friends,
Indeed we are extremely grateful to God Almighty, for despite the many problems that still surround us, we have been kept quite safe, and our needs fulfilled. The ongoing prayers, in addition to the moral and financial support of our Christian friends have been most encouraging. We deeply value, and fully appreciate your commitment to our work, and your genuine interest in the welfare of our children.

Al-Shurooq Resource Centre for the Blind
Life at Al-Shurooq Resource Centre has been running quite smoothly without any interruptions whatsoever. Our children have been able to resume their studies normally, while the bombing and shelling in the Bethlehem area has slightly subsided. The few occasions it occurred, it was at a distance from the school, so that our children were not alarmed. Unfortunately, once again we were overloaded with work; for not only did we lose our volunteer Mrs. Anne Weatherhead, but towards the end of January Miss Yvonne our head teacher slipped and broke her ankle, so she has been off work for the last couple of months. Naturally this added more pressure on some of us.

Two little girls present a small token to the
Consul General

Outreach
This section of our work has not been as successful as we would like it to be. And this is due to the siege that has been imposed on us for the last six months. Our social worker lives in Hebron, where the political situation is very tense. Her visits to the various schools, and the homes of our children, has been extremely limited. And quite frequently she has been even unable to come to the centre, to work with some of our children. The existing conditions are a disaster on our economy, on our development, and on our day to day life. We are obliged to put up with staff that come into work late, or do not come in at all, and many other problems. The closure on all towns and villages is the worst that has ever happened to us.

Blind Women's Committee
"Blind Women As agents of Change", was the title of our project for Blind and visually Impaired women and girls; it was the highlight of our work during the last three months. This eight month one day a week course, that has been specifically initiated for the empowerment of Blind Women, enhancing their education and to help them to acquire skills that will improve their chances of employment. The course consists of training in computer and internet, lectures on legal rights, and counselling. So every Friday we are invaded by a group of thirty blind women and girls who are always eager to come and take part in this new venture, thus encouraging them to function in the modern world of technology. Due to the prevailing difficult conditions, the commence-ment of the course was postponed for three months.

To be quite honest, I was hesitant to go along with it, lest it should not succeed. At the same time I was concerned about losing such a great opportunity, that might only come once in a life time. So we were determined to go ahead with the project despite the siege and traveling restrictions. We actually started the course on January the 5th, but the opening ceremony of the project only took place on March the 23^rd. Since the project was largely funded by the British Government's Small Grant Scheme. The British Consul General Mr. R. Kealy, was invited to conduct the opening ceremony. Over forty distinguished guests participated in this event which was a very happy occasion, that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It is most gratifying to see what a tremendous success it is.

A blind lady at the computer

Children at work in class (1)

Library and Braille Book Production Unit.
Work in the Braille Book Production Unit has been resumed as usual, except for the fact that we have had some disturbances in our Jerusalem office. The two employees there live in the outskirts of Ramallah, one of them in particular who comes from a remote village, spends half his day getting there. It is a problem that has to be solved, for he has been working for us for over thirty years. But since most of the printing is being carried out in Beit Jala, our production has hardly been affected. During the last three months 32 new titles have been added to our collection, 96 Copies made, and 210 books have been given out on loan. As we are fast approaching the holy Week when we remember the suffering and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a happy Easter Season; and thank you for your kindness and loving care.