A Dream Come True
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
(Romans 5: 3-5)
Finding a job is a dream for many in this country, but for Rana Al-Ama, a dream that became a realty through the placement program funded by the Palestinian Church Engagement Initiative (PCEI), which is one of the programs run by World Vision Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza (WVJWG)
Rana graduated 8 years ago with a degree in Sociology, but she was not successful in finding a job. That was until she heard about and applied to join the WVJWG’s placement program, through which she was placed at “QADER for Community Development” and worked on a women empowerment project. She says about her experience: “I have applied for this program through Bethlehem University’s website, and was so excited to be accepted. Working in my hosting institution, and with those women, gave me the chance to meet and interact with women from different backgrounds and experiences; which also allowed me to link theory to practice and acquire new skills and insights. But above all, this experience has strengthened my personality and proved that I am capable of being a positive contributor in my society”. She adds: “I am also earning money and helping my family to meet some of the household demands”.
About her childhood, Rana says: “I have suffered a lot as a child, a post-birth internal bleeding caused damage to my face. I was checked by many doctors and went through some surgeries to try to solve this situation. At school, it was also not easy but I worked hard and I graduated with high grades both from school and university.” She adds: “Since my graduation, I have been looking for a job, and searched in different NGOs, schools, disability centers and other places but without success. I have volunteered for some time in a school for less than $60 per month, and after that I stayed home without a job. Being part of this program was a great experience, and I thank World Vision for this opportunity that transformed by life. I hope the program continues in the future to benefit others, especially those with special needs like myself, as their chances of finding jobs are low”.
Lana Bandak, QADER’s Director General says: “We welcome and value such programs and hope that in the future they are longer in duration to maximize learning”. About Rana she says:” Rana learnt a lot and contributed to the work of the organization, which had a positive impact on her personality and self- esteem, and broke the boundaries between her and the society. We are hoping to be able to employ her permanently in our organization in the near future”.
Through a partnership with Bethlehem University, World Vision facilitates job opportunities for Christian graduates through funding a Placement Program. Since its start up, the program benefitted around thirty Five youth, half of which were able to find permanent jobs in their hosting institutions and other institutions.
The Palestinian Church Engagement Initiative (PCEI) is a three-year initiative that works with the Palestinian Churches and the Christian community; focusing on an integration of church relations and advocacy, through a solid child-focused programming designed to capitalize on the unique position WV holds in relation to the local Palestinian Christians and the international Church. PCEI also contributes to strengthening relationships, networks and understandings among International and local churches and communities in support of improved child well-being (CWB) within Palestinian Territories, as well as contribute to empowering the Christian community to support CWB issues.