The Friends of the Holy Land are supporting 450 children under 12 from 150 families and 90 elderly people in Bethlehem and the surrounding area at Christmas.

The children are either orphans living with relations, those abandoned by their families, those in real poverty or those physically or mentally sick. They and their families will be individually assessed to receive coupons for staple food items or for clothing, a subsidy towards the family’s utility bills or small gift items. Many will qualify to receive all four levels of support.

The elderly include those who are abandoned by their families or have no family at all. They will also receive blankets, heaters and warm clothes to face the harsh winter
weather. Many have lost their jobs, their income and some their homes.

For the first time the FHL are extending their support beyond Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour to Jifna and Zababdeh.

Peter Rand, National Vice-Chairman of the FHL confirmed that “support is only provided to those whom we know by name, along with their financial circumstances.
Lists of names are obtained through the Parish Priests of St. Catherine’s in Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour. Our work is coordinated by the Sons of the Earth Association (SEA) based in Beit Jala. The FHL are delighted to be able to reach the grass roots of local Christians, and at the same time providing business through the coupon scheme to 20 Christian run businesses in the Bethlehem District.

Ramzi Hodali, President & Founder of SEA said “We use our expertise to bring the progressive community together, to harden our original roots in the Holy Land so the
living stones will always prosper. Our objectives are derived from our daily life, a life of the minority, the life of the oppressed and a life of giving and forgiveness.”

Photo: The children of Bethlehem thank the Friends of the Holy Land for their support.

Notes to Editor
About the Friends of the Holy Land
The Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) was established in England & Wales in 2009. It is a registered charity and assists the Christian Community in the Holy Land.
The objectives are to raise awareness of the difficulties they experience, to encourage  prayers to be offered for their intentions, to generate and channel financial resources to provide them with a sustainable future and encourage visits to the Holy Land to meet with local Christians.

Financial support is provided to Parishes and Schools and families within the Christian Community to enable them to live a fruitful and rewarding life in their homeland.
This is all achieved with the backing and blessing of Anglican and Catholic Bishop’s in England & Wales. The FHL is non political.

Contacts
Dr Michael Whelan KSG, KGCHS, Trustee & National Chairman FHL
01926 857580 Mobile: 07802 871610

Peter Rand MBE, Trustee & National Vice-Chairman
01926 852163 Mobile: 07879 422866

FHL, 2 Station Road, Kenilworth CV8 1JJ
General Manager – Sean Higgins
01926 512980 Fax 01926 850946
friendsoftheholyland@btconnect.com
http://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1130054