South Hebron ADP
Villages ADP Located In: Alkarmil, Khalet Al Mayyeh, Um Lasafa, Al Hathaleen, Zif, Alfaqir, Irfayiyeh, Albuwaib, Aldairat, Susyah, Altuwani and surroundings, Main, Alzuwaidin, and Al Najada
No. of Registered Children: 2,521
No. of Direct Beneficiaries: 12,480
No. of Indirect Beneficiaries: 20,991
Communities Served: 14
No. of Community-based organisations and/or schools served: 32
Total No. of Staff: 13 fulltime staff members in East & South Hebron ADPs & two interns
Support Office: World Vision Singapore
WHERE WE WORK
The Palestinian city of Hebron is located in the southern West Bank, with Jerusalem to the north. The largest city in the West Bank, Hebron is home to around 650,000 people. As a busy trade hub, Hebron is a hectic place well-known for its glass-blowing factories, pottery and potters, as well as figs and grapes. Southeast Hebron is a rural area and considered one of the most vulnerable areas in the Hebron governorate.
OUR COMMUNITIES
The area of southern Hebron suffers from many environmental, political, economic, cultural, and health difficulties. Environmentally, there is very little rain fall which leads to low land productivity and communities do not have easily accessible water sources. Israeli authorities’ regulations and restrictions on the usage of private land by the Palestinian communities in southern Hebron have also caused the livestock production levels to decline and poverty levels to increase. In terms of sanitation and health, facilities are scarce and poor in quality, affecting vulnerable women and children in the villages. Villages is southern Hebron are not connected to water networks. They get most of their through rain harvesting. Another large problem is that due to cultural and traditional customs, participation of women in the workplace in southern Hebron is very low. Finally, the educational system is also problematic. It is weak in terms of availability and quality and many schools are inadequately equipped. Many students in southern Hebron must also walk long distances to reach their schools.
ENSURING CHILD & FAMILY WELL-BEING
World Vision has been working in southern Hebron through its South Hebron Area Development Programme (ADP) since 2008. Through its interventions, World Vision seeks to ensure the well-being of all children and families. In partnership with the local village councils and the Palestinian Ministry of Education, the South Hebron ADP is working to help provide children with improved educational environments. To help ensure that children be educated for life, World Vision not only renovates but has established new schools and kindergartens in South Hebron. These efforts have helped lower the drop-out rates of students. World Vision is also installing playgrounds, outdoor games, and fences to allow children to be part of a safe and loving community environment with safe places to play. These changes have helped instill positive attitudes in children which are being reflected in their academic performance and school attendance. World Vision also trains teachers and counselors on school management to enable them to support children with special needs and provide children with protection and counseling. With the cooperation of the Palestinian Ministry of Education, parents are also involved in these trainings to educate them on how to support their children, especially those with special needs, in their education. It is World Vision’s hope that all children will experience the joys of education and can make good judgments, protect themselves, manage their emotions, and communicate their ideas.
Recently, the South Hebron ADP partnered with the Al-Kabanah Village Council to rehabilitate the Al-Kabaneh Kindergarten for children to enjoy and benefit from the healthy and safe environment.
LET’S GET HEALTHY
It is the aim of World Vision to ensure that all children and families are able to enjoy good health and children are protected from infection, disease and injury. Towards this goal, the South Hebron ADP works with parents and teachers to raise their awareness of health and hygiene practices and concerns and enable children to grow in a healthy and safe environment. In partnership with the Palestinian Civil Defense in Hebron, World Vision has trained its communities on civil defense in the case of emergencies, teaching families and children skills in case of disasters, especially in vulnerable Bedouin communities.
Together, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, World Vision is also assisting mothers to learn about the importance of nutrition, especially for expectant and nursing mothers and young children. Mothers learn how to take care of their own and their children’s nutrition, breastfeeding techniques as well as common diseases that can endanger their children. Women are not only learning, they are also spreading this knowledge to their families and communities, helping ensure good health for their children and families.
A SHARED FUTURE
World Vision Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza seeks to impact the lives of over 200,000 children through its programmes and directly benefits the lives of over 168,000 people in 116 communities throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. Through its Area Development Programmes, World Vision works with 500 community-based organizations and schools to empower families and children to become agents of change for a better future. World Vision seeks to ensure that all families and children are cared for, protected, and participating.
Sources:
1) The Applied Research Institution – Jerusalem (ARIJ)/ Society, www.arij.org