From: Christian Media Center
In an effort to improve the quality of life for young people, the Institute for Community Partnerships at Bethlehem University, in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, launched the “Afaq” project on October 29 in the village of Taybeh, near Ramallah. The goal is to empower Christian youth and women on entrepreneurship and job search in Palestine. Funded by the Missio Foundation of Aachen and the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, the project will be implemented in 13 Christian parishes in the West Bank.
Br Dr PETER BRAY, fsc
Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University
“The needs for the young people and women in particular, are so great, with the employment as it is, and the change they are facing with the Pandemic. I think what we are trying to do with this is provide opportunities for young people and for women, to gain the skills, the knowledge and the values that is going to enable them to contribute to Palestine, to their families and be employed themselves.”
This project was created in response to the challenges experienced by local people to improve their economy, to help them overcome difficulties, and to create entrepreneurial, creative, and sustainable opportunities.
SAMI AL-YOUSSEF
Bursar General of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
“The question we asked ourselves is, ‘After the support from the Latin Patriarchate, what happens to these families?’ Can the Patriarchate help for one month? Two? Three? For how long?” We started with the desire to create a project that would increase the skills of these families so that they could benefit and thus increase their work capacity to get out of unemployment, to get scholarships or a loan for a project.”
The project includes various programs and activities: the realization of seminars and vocational courses, workshops on entrepreneurship, development of existing projects as well as granting interest-free loans to selected companies. There will be special programs for students through scholarships so they can participate in vocational training programs and much more.
Br Dr PETER BRAY, fsc
Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University
“This is a project that Bethlehem University is very interested in and we are very pleased to be able to work through our student community engagement and partnership with the Patriarchate. It’s a way of working with the Patriarchate to further the mission that the Patriarchate has within the Holy Land.”
SAMI AL-YOUSSEF
Bursar General of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
“If there is no synergy, a joint effort between parishes, pastors, parish pastoral councils, youth, scouts, schools and teachers, frankly the chances of success for this project are limited! We hope to create an integrated work team to achieve the set goals so as to include as many beneficiaries as possible.” The strategic partnership between Bethlehem University and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem concretely contributes to opening doors to the future of young people in the Holy Land.