FHL brings hopes to hundreds in Bethlehem

Simple message from Bethlehem

While people around the world will be celebrating Christmas with special services, parties, large meals and many presents, hundreds of poor people who live in the place where Jesus was born, are struggling to survive. This year, one Catholic charity will be bringing hope to some of the most needy people in Bethlehem.

Friends of the Holy Land will be supporting 450 young children and 90 elderly folk in or near the town. The children are either orphans living with relations, those abandoned by their families, those in real poverty, disabled or suffering from illness. They are being individually assessed to receive coupons for staple food items or for clothing, a subsidy towards the utility bills or small gifts.

The elderly include those who have no family at all. They will also receive blankets, heaters and warm clothes to face the harsh winter weather. Many have lost their jobs, their income and some their homes.

For the first time, this year the Friends are extending their support beyond Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour to Jifna and Zababdeh.

Peter Rand, National Vice-Chairman of the FHL confirmed that: "support is only provided to those whom we know by name, along with their financial circumstances.

Lists of names are obtained through the Ministry of the Interior in Palestine and the Parish Priests of St Catherine's in Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour. Our work is coordinated by the Sons of the Earth Association (SEA) based in Beit Jala. The FHL are delighted to be able to reach the grass roots of local Christians, and at the same time providing business through the coupon scheme to 20 Christian run businesses in the Bethlehem District.

Ramzi Hodali, President & Founder of SEA said: "We use our expertise to bring the progressive community together, to harden our original roots in the Holy Land so the living stones will always prosper. Our objectives are derived from our daily life, a life of the minority, the life of the oppressed and a life of giving and forgiveness."

For more information on Friends of the Holy Land see: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk