Assist kids with hearing disabilities in Palestine

Dear donors,

the war continues and the situation in Bethlehem remains complicated. Events related to the conflict in the Gaza Strip generate a negative impact on the Palestinian population and the country's economy is facing an unprecedented crisis. However, despite the difficulties, the Effetà Institute of Bethlehem continues to operate with determination, offering education, rehabilitation and support to deaf children, allowing them to face social challenges with the knowledge that deafness is not an obstacle to their future.

Due to the war, children living far from the Institute can sleep at school for most of the week. During the afternoon activities, they are followed by educators, volunteers and nuns who take care of them. This arrangement not only ensures continuity of education but also offers a safe and welcoming environment where children can feel protected and supported.

We are happy that sport and artistic activities have been resumed in recent weeks, after giving priority to recovering the basic lessons lost in the first six months due to the war. Sport, colors and creativity were the protagonists in the school, allowing children to experience moments of happiness and carefreeness. All the children had the opportunity to express their emotions through art and play, creating an environment of peace. Art has become a means through which children can process the traumas of war and regain a sense of normality and joy.

In addition to recreational activities, school lessons continued. Oral communication is the method used at the Effetà Institute. From an early age, children are taught language through acoustic training, lip reading and imitation of the articulation of words. These methods allow children to develop communication skills that are fundamental for their integration into society. Since June, it has been holiday time for the children, but not for the staff and educators, who are already working to prepare and face the next school year in the best possible way.

Thank you for continuing to support children during this difficult time for Palestine! Your help makes the difference, allowing our little ones to build a better future despite the adversities that surround them.

Dear donors,

for over 50 years the Effetà Institute in Bethlehem has been educating, rehabilitating and taking care of hearing-impaired children, allowing them to face social challenges with the awareness that deafness is not an obstacle to their future. In recent months, however, the institute has been going through a period of serious difficulty.

The situation in Bethlehem has never been so complicated: the events linked to the war in the Gaza Strip are generating a negative impact on the Palestinian population and the country's economy is facing a crisis. Since October 7th, almost all the students who attend the Effetà Institute have not left their homes. Courageously, the school reopened its doors after 20 days of forced closure due to the outbreak of the war, but unfortunately, only a few children can reach the institute and attend lessons. Most of them live far away and cannot move around as it is risky to walk the streets and cross checkpoints. Lessons continue online, but for hearing-impaired children, progress is more difficult to achieve as they need to see the movement of the lips, facial expressions and dexterity of the speaker to facilitate understanding. Many have asked to sleep at school, even on the floor, to not miss the possibility of learning and experiencing daily life with their classmates.

A year ago, there were already many problems, but in the last few months, the situation has worsened. Families are struggling and can no longer afford to pay school fees. Many workers' permits were revoked and various businesses were forced to close. The sense of fear and bewilderment is strong. For this reason, Effetà Institute provides families with a social assistance desk not only to deal with the deafness of their children but also to manage the economic and working difficulties caused by the war.

In Arabic, the word "Effetà" means "openness". It goes beyond barriers and physical boundaries, an openness linked to acceptance, inclusion and equality. Now more than ever, your support is essential to give hope to the children who attend the Effetà Institute and their families!