Institutions for People With Special Needs

• Al-Malath Charitable Society Center

Al-Malath Charitable Society Center is a nonprofit non-governmental organization located in the shepherds’ field area. It was established in 2006 to rehabilitate adults with intellectual disabilities by providing education and specialized therapy, as well as training and care. There is also a focus on developing their physical condition, and helping them acquire helpful skills and abilities.

Vision: For individuals with intellectual disabilities to live with joy and happiness reaching their potential while fulfilling their role in society. We embrace our clients – valuing them as human beings – treating them equally and without discrimination.

Mission: Rehabilitating young adults with intellectual disabilities by providing education, specialized therapy, training and care, developing their physical condition, acquiring skills and abilities.

• Oasis Center

The oasis center was created in Beit Sahour in the year 1998 as a result of urgent need to the society, it considered as a unique center for the people with mentally disabilities according to the qualitative services that provided under the auspices of the Health Work Committees organization which is consederd as a non-governmental health and developmental one.

The Oasis Workshop provides an opportunity for adults with intellectual disabilities to engage in specific types of work that suit their intellectual abilities and contribute positively to Palestinian society.

• Rafiq Al Darb Association

It was founded in 2007 and registered in 2008 as a Non-Profit organization. It aims at enhancing descent living and equitable opportunities for people with disabilities in Bethlehem particularly, and in Palestine at large, through contributing to the local, national and international efforts striving for the same cause. It also aims to enhance the level of participation of people with disabilities in the efforts, programs, and activities of the organization. As well as promoting the community awareness about the issues and challenges related to disability and developing and promoting strategies and techniques of the individual and collective rights-based on social and legal advocacy for people with disabilities.

• Al Basma Special Rehabilitation Centre

The Al-Basma Special Rehabilitation Center is an ideal place for young people with learning disabilities, who attend the center in the morning to learn valuable life and work skills. The center is located in Beit Sahour, a touristic area famous for its olive wood carvings.

The center was founded in 1987 and served just 5 clients when it first opened. Since that time, it has grown considerably and now serves 36 young adults aged from 12 years old and up. At the center clients spend every morning manufacturing products for sale. They make recycled paper, compress paper blocks for heating and weave rugs.

Clients at the center work during the morning to produce the craft products sold in the center gift shop. Making these products gives the clients work experience and the opportunity to contribute to the running of their organization. The center produces hand-made paper and woven rugs.

• School Of Joy

The School of Joy was founded by Father Mamdouh Abu Saada in 1998 in Beit Sahour, with the goal of improving the overall quality of life for underachieving students in the Greater Bethlehem area.

Al Farah School now serves approximately 60 students, aged 6 to 14, serving impoverished and orphaned children, as well as children with learning disabilities, regardless of race, religion, or color.

Many of the children served by this school suffer from low academic achievement due to mild brain damage, a poor home environment, or poor education. Children with mild brain damage include those with dyslexia, right hemisphere disorders, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and others.