The Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek, founder and director of Sabeel.

The Sabeel Center (www.sabeel.org) is an ecumenical grassroots Christian organization making the Gospel relevant today in the Holy Land and abroad by advocating for justice, building peacemaking alliances for and with the people of Palestine/Israel and interpreting the tragic plight of the Palestinian people. In Arabic the word "sabeel" means a spring of life-giving water or the way. Indeed Sabeel is a stream of living hope working, educating and witnessing for justice and peace in a weary, violent-ridden land. Sabeel engages in leadership development for all ages. One way they do this is by holding annual local and international seminars and conferences on Biblical applications to the Palestinian struggles for survival and liberation in the midst of the Israeli occupation which is daily diminishing their human rights and freedom. The Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek, founder and director, is a recognized international speaker, theologian and author. Pal Craftaid has been a long time supporter of Sabeel and its important ministry.

The YWCA of Palestine (www.ywca-palestine.org) has created daycare centers for children in refugee camps including a lunch program. Malnourishment is a major problem reaching a critical point for the Palestinian population and most especially in the Gaza Strip. Vocational training of young women has long been part of their agenda. Since 2001 , the YWCA has developed income generating programs for women in Jericho. One is called the Good Earth Campaign. Products of the Good Earth Campaign are produced by natural ingredients from Palestine such as hand made olive oil soap, extra virgin olive oil and dried herbs, namely thyme, sage and spearmint.. They also make delicious marmalade and pastries. Empowering women and enabling them to feel pride in their work and to be able to make a financial contribution to their family's welfare are integral to the YWCA programs. Ms. Mira Ritzek is the General Secretary of the YWCA.

In 2002 the YWCA and the YMCA of Palestine joined to establish The Olive Tree Campaign under the theme "Keep Hope Alive". The cost for planting an olive tree to replace one that has been uprooted and destroyed by settlers or Israeli Defense Force is $20. Pal Craftaid has planted more than a dozen trees. Numerous scholarships have been given by Pal Craftaid to help young women in their vocational training.

Tuition Sponsorships for Elementary and High School Children: In the Palestinian society, parents are compelled to pay tuition for each child's education. It has become a major burden in a first world economy when 65-70% of the working force is unemployed. Because of travel restrictions and the Wall, they cannot reach their jobs. Families do not have sufficient income to exist let alone pay tuitions. It is burdensome and an embarrassment for both the parents and the children. Christian families are most reluctant to reveal their dire plight and to ask for help.

An additional negative impact in the lack of financial resources is that it makes it extremely difficult for schools to maintain their educational plant, provide adequate salaries for their staff and have sufficient teaching supplies which enhance learning skills.

Scholarship aid through sponsorships provides a welcomed relief as well as a blessing of hope that others care about them -- they are not forgotten --someone knows and cares.
Pal Craftaid has given numerous scholarships for school tuition. Elementary tuitions are approximately $550; whereas, high school tuition for a year is $1750.

One Share	110.00
Full share	650.00

Hearing aid	400.00
School lunch program per day for 300	200.00
Batteries	10.00
Hygiene kit	25.00
School shoes	20.00

For one semester

500.00

Three hot meals per week for a month for an elderly person

72.00

YWCA