Drawing a smile for disabled children in Bethlehem

During the last three months, the project “Drawing a Smile for Disabled Children in Bethlehem” continued to provide essential rehabilitation and psychosocial support services for children with disabilities in Bethlehem.

Despite the extremely difficult humanitarian and economic situation caused by the ongoing conflict, our team remained committed to ensuring continuity of care for the most vulnerable children. However, due to severe funding shortages, we have been forced to reduce some activities and operate partially instead of at full capacity.

The project continues to focus on improving the quality of life of children with disabilities through therapeutic interventions, psychosocial support, and family-centered care.

 Key Activities Implemented

• Individual therapy sessions for children with disabilities
• Psychosocial support sessions for families
• Group activities aimed at improving social interaction and emotional expression
• Functional rehabilitation exercises to improve mobility and daily living skills
• Follow-up assessments for ongoing cases

Success Stories (Case Highlights) Case 1: Improved Communication and Confidence

A 9-year-old child with developmental delays showed significant improvement in communication skills after consistent therapy sessions. The child, who initially avoided interaction, began expressing emotions through drawing and simple words, which strengthened family bonding and reduced isolation.

Case 2: Mobility Progress in a Child with Physical Disability

A 7-year-old child with physical impairment demonstrated better mobility and independence in daily activities after receiving continuous rehabilitation sessions. The child is now able to perform basic self-care tasks with minimal assistance, which has greatly reduced caregiver burden.

Case 3: Psychosocial Support for Mother

A mother of a child with severe disability reported reduced stress and improved coping mechanisms after participating in counseling sessions. She expressed feeling “less alone” and more capable of supporting her child despite difficult living conditions.

Challenges

• Severe shortage of funding affecting continuity of services
• High transportation costs preventing families from attending sessions regularly
• Increased demand due to worsening humanitarian situation
• Limited ability to operate full programs, leading to partial service delivery
• Psychological pressure on families due to ongoing conflict

Current Situation

Due to the ongoing war and economic crisis, many families are unable to travel to our center. As a result, we are currently planning to shift toward home-based rehabilitation services to ensure continuity of care for children who cannot reach us.

However, this transition requires additional resources, transportation support, and trained staff, which are currently beyond our limited capacity.

Future Plan: Home Visit Program

We are actively developing a Home-Based Rehabilitation Program, which will include:

• Home visits for children unable to attend the center
• In-home therapy sessions
• Family training and guidance
• Regular monitoring and follow-up
• Psychosocial support in the child’s living environment

This approach will help us reach more vulnerable children and ensure that no child is left without support due to financial or mobility barriers

Financial Situation & Urgent Need

The project is currently operating under significant financial strain. Without continued support, we risk reducing services further, which would directly impact children who depend on us for essential rehabilitation care.

We are deeply concerned that lack of funding may force us to shift to minimal or partial services, which would negatively affect progress achieved so far.

Call for Support

We kindly and urgently appeal to our donors and supporters to continue standing with us.

Your support is not only funding services—it is restoring hope, dignity, and function for children with disabilities living under extremely difficult conditions.

Every contribution helps us:

• Keep therapy sessions running
• Reach children in their homes
• Support struggling families
• Prevent interruption of critical rehabilitation services

 Closing Message

Despite all challenges, we remain committed to continuing our mission of bringing hope and smiles to children with disabilities in Bethlehem. With your continued support, we can ensure that these children receive the care they deserve, even in the most difficult times.

Throughout this year, the project Drawing a Smile for Children with Disabilities in Bethlehem continued to respond to the urgent rehabilitation and psychosocial needs of children with disabilities living in Bethlehem and nearby refugee camps. The ongoing economic hardship and limited access to specialized services have made this support essential for many families, particularly those caring for children with physical, developmental, and communication disabilities.

During the reporting period, the project served approximately ( 50 children) aged between 3 and 14 years. The children supported included those with physical disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, speech and language disorders, and learning difficulties. Each child received services based on an individualized assessment to ensure appropriate and effective intervention.

The project delivered a range of rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special education sessions, and psychosocial support activities. Physiotherapy sessions focused on improving mobility, balance, posture, and muscle strength. Occupational therapy aimed to enhance fine motor skills, daily living abilities, and independence. Speech and language therapy supported children in developing clearer speech and improved communication skills, while special education sessions addressed cognitive development, learning readiness, and basic academic skills. In parallel, psychosocial support activities provided children with safe spaces for emotional expression and helped families cope with the psychological stress associated with disability care.

By the end of the year, noticeable improvements were observed in many children’s physical abilities, communication skills, and emotional well-being. Parents reported increased confidence in their children, greater engagement in daily activities, and improved social interaction. The project also helped reduce the emotional and financial burden on families by offering accessible and affordable rehabilitation services close to their homes.

Despite ongoing challenges related to limited funding and increased demand for services, the project demonstrated the importance of early intervention and continuous support. The experience gained throughout the year reinforced the need for flexible, individualized approaches that respond to each child’s unique needs and circumstances.

Looking ahead, the project aims to sustain and expand its services, strengthen partnerships with donors and local stakeholders, and reach a larger number of children in marginalized communities. Continued investment in professional staff, therapeutic tools, and family support remains a priority to ensure long-term impact.

We extend our sincere gratitude to GlobalGiving donors and supporters whose generosity has made this work possible. Your contributions have helped restore hope, dignity, and smiles to children with disabilities and their families in Bethlehem.