Development - Small business support

With no tourists and no work visas to cross into Israel most people are unemployed in the West Bank. So, those who are more creative and have skills are seeking to establish a small business so they can afford the basics of everyday life . Many women in particular are seeking to monetise their cooking, sewing, beautician and other skills to put food on the table for their families.

Friends of the Holy Land offer grants of up to £2250 per small business for essential equipment. Small businesses receiving support from FHL so far include a beauty parlour, a stationery store, toy shop, car repair, chicken farm, a mobile DJ/events provider, candle making, and a honey farm.

This emphasises the differing everyday conditions within this one geographical area. People are trying to live, just like us. Birth, marriages and common milestones do not stop.

Projects are approved by the Holy Land Committee, and they undertake associated due diligence. The goal is for a small business to generate enough to cover the cost of living. We are likely to support as many as 50 small businesses over the next year.

These small businesses are contributing to the local economy and bringing benefits to the wider community.

Alaa

"When the Gaza war started, everything changed. Checkpoints and gates made it impossible to commute from Nablus, where my wife and children live, so I couldn't get to work. The economy plummeted, and my company had to cut costs, laying off many workers – I was one of them. This support has allowed me to cover some of my family's expenses. Coming from an area like Nablus, where Christians are a small minority, knowing this help came from believers in the UK truly shows me the real body of Christ."

FHL will invest £100,000 in helping the Christian community support themselves. More if we receive additional funding

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