2007 Progress Report

Networking between Youth Centers:

 
   

In 2006, the Faisal Husseini Foundation started and continues this year to develop the vision of five different youth centers and network between them. The foundation began implementing a program that focused on children’s literature proposed by Al-Saraya Center in the old city of Jerusalem.

The Foundation assisted by facilitating access to three libraries that it had established. It also funded a program at Al-Saraya Center that encouraged reading and aimed at raising children’s educational and cultural standards thereby creating a more knowledgeable and educated generation. The methods used and activities were supervised by specialists. For example:

  • Reading stories and books and using materials that reinforce reading and writing skills.
  • Helping children access information using the library.
  • Playing educational games.
  • Children are thus motivated and inspired to become creative and active thinkers.

Supporting the Literacy Program:

Two years ago, FHF began funding a program for young women at Al-Saray Center to erase illiteracy. Twenty-one young women benefited from this program and sat for the General Secondary Examinations in the summer of 2007. Such programs do not benefit only the young women but also their families, including their children, as they become able to help and encourage their children to study and continue with their own education.

The drop-out rate for girls in Jerusalem is about 12%. Al-Saraya Center began a project two year ago to raise awareness about girls’ education and its importance. The center then started its official program to encourage girls to sit for their General Secondary Examinations. The program is expected to succeed as the girls have shown interest and have proven to be hard-workers, expressing their desires for a higher education as well.

Supporting the Burj Al-Laqlaq Social Center:

This year, FHF continued to support Burj Al-Laqlaq Social Center in the old city with its library and gym activities including its special needs programs. The Foundation also assisted the center in developing an effective work strategy that is revised and altered by the center based on current social research completed about women and children.

Faisal Husseini Youth Award in cooperation with the Youth Development Department:

The FHF administration welcomed the second group of students to participate in this program. The students came from several public schools in Jerusalem. The first stage prepared and coached the students participating in the project. It included the following activities:

  • A lecture informing the students about the award, its goals. The lecture focused on the voluntary work the students would be involved in and how they should go about applying to volunteer at different organizations.
  • A lecture on Faisal Husseini
  • A lecture about the history of the city of Jerusalem and its ancient landmarks.
  • A lecture about the history of Palestine.
  • A lecture about the current situation in the country.
  • An informational tour of the old city of Jerusalem.

This preparation and coaching program is only one of five programs that FHF arranged for the award participants. It lasts throughout the length of the project. It includes several educational lectures in different topics from the human sciences to art. The other four programs are: community service, athletics, basic skills and Discovery Camp.

The students have already begun the community service, athletics and basic skills programs and discovery camps.

Volunteering at Augusta Victoria Hospital
Work shop preparation
 
 
 

   

 

Supporting the Youth Development Department:

FHF has supported the Youth Development Department by covering some of the department’s expenses in order to carry out the following youth projects:

  • Coordinating between some youth organization in order to create a firm youth support system.
  • Organizing an occupational counseling program at several youth centers.
  • The youth development department was established in 2001 in the Orient House with the objective of developing the youth sector in Jerusalem.

Supporting small youth projects:

FHF supported the Ping-Pong League in Jerusalem by providing the league’s equipment. It supported Al-Funoun Dabka Dance Troupe by sponsoring their performance in Jerusalem. It also supported Ru’ya (Palestinian Vision) Organization by covering three months worth of its library expenses, and the Old City Youth Center by providing an accounting program. In addition to aiding Nadi Al-Quds by providing a receiver and fax machine as well as benches, it aided the Old City Counseling Center (Caritas) in its summer camp that was dedicated to raising awareness about drug abuse. FHF also supported another drug awareness program with the title “Palestine Smiles to Life” which is directed by the local board in Al-Ram area.