After the war, the economic situation worsened. A mother caring for a child with Down syndrome found it hard to manage daily life. Her son attends Dura Center, and covering basic needs became harder, while ensuring her son continued to receive care without interrupting his routine. More than anything, she wanted to remain close to him in his daily routine
At Dura Center, she found the opportunity to work in the kitchen, which let her help with the household income, take care of her son’s needs, and stay near him in a familiar and comfortable space. This work boosted her self confidence and gave her a sense of stability during hard times. The center recently includes advanced facilities such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, sensory rooms, special education classrooms, a sensory garden, and a solar energy system that generates income for the center, improving both service quality and sustainability.
The story continues with Osama Urjan, who has lived with muscle atrophy for many years. Through ongoing support, he was able to set up a small cleaning supplies shop that helps him earn a reliable income for himself and his family. With continuous guidance and regular follow up, the project remained steady and allowed him to move forward.
The project qualified 25 mothers of children with disabilities to work and earn income through a kitchen project while their children received therapy and education. It also empowered 23 people with disabilities to launch small income generating businesses and ensure their sustainability. Beside that, it helped 15 mothers to get essential sewing skills and provide them with the tools and equipment needed to run their home based businesses. Furthermore, more than 350 people with disabilities benefited from assistive devices, including mobility aids, wheelchairs, bathing equipment, and hearing aids, which strengthened their independence, respected their dignity, and made daily life easier.
Both stories highlight continued assistance implemented by Caritas Jerusalem in cooperation with Caritas Poland and co-financed within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. Together, they reflect Caritas Jerusalem’s mission of long term commitment, walking alongside children and their families over time, adapting to their changing needs while respecting their dignity, and strengthening their independence.