Message from St Martha's House
It’s always good to hear news from our friends at St Martha’s House. In
her most recent newsletter Laila Asfoura, President of St Martha’s House, has
this message for FHL supporters.
Friends
of the Holy Land, to you, we give many thanks and much appreciation for your
belief in us. Not only do you believe in us but you share the same vision for
the future. With your help, we will continue to make a difference for the
Palestinian elderly women in our community.
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Since our foundation in 2009 we have been pleased to support St Martha’s
House, the first day care centre for elderly women in Bethlehem. The House is open
four days a week and provides support to poor and vulnerable elderly Christian women
in Bethlehem, many of whom are widows living alone with no one to care for
them. The House, staffed by Christians, creates a social environment where the
women meet for companionship, food and mutual support. Without this facility,
many of these elderly women would live a lonely and isolated existence.
Laila describes the atmosphere created at the House,
“At this
House we seek an atmosphere where our elderly women are joyful and at peace. We
provide an environment that is friendly, safe, caring and supportive to their
needs. We envisage a world in which our charity has the capacity to increase
its impact. “
St Martha’s House provides a unique opportunity for visiting pilgrims to connect with the “Living Stones” of the Holy Land. FHL encourages pilgrimage organisers to make time in their itineraries to visit St Martha’s House. The women at the day centre have lived lives of hardship, warfare and discrimination so it means a lot to them to meet with their Christian brothers and sisters from around the world.
Not only do we want our mission to benefit our ladies but we also want to present to people a deeper insight about the real situation of the Holy Land.” Laila Asfoura
Laila AsfouraI started to come to the house of St. Martha about two years ago. I feel happy to be there. We find the family atmosphere and forget our problems and sorrows.
Two of my daughters were killed in second intifada. I live now with my sick husband and I do not have a breadwinner since my children have been married and busy with their hard life. I started to come to the house of St. Martha about two years ago. I feel happy to be there. We find the family atmosphere and forget our problems and sorrows. They take care of us as if we were mothers.
by Adele - Vistor to St Martha's HouseTo help FHL support St Martha’s House and other projects and beneficiaries in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan: