Birzeit- HCEF President, Sir Rateb Rabie, KCHS, received a warm welcome by the staff and members of the Birzeit Senior Citizen Center during his visit Wednesday, February 3, 2016, to discuss the future of the Center’s expanded role in the Birzeit community. Sir Rabie, who has family roots in the town of Birzeit, was pleased to see the members in good health and enjoying BSCC’s diverse programming and activities and the great impact that the center has made in their lives. Sir Rabie and HCEF Regional Director, Eng. Anthony Habash, have envisioned the Center becoming a more integral part of the lives of more members of the community and seeks to expand its program.
Sir Rabie commented, “It’s touching to see the difference that HCEF is making in the lives of these important individuals–the Living Stones. I wish that everyone could see the joy and peace that the Center brings, it certainly is a source of pride for HCEF.”
Sir Rabie hopes to increase the reach of the Center by opening its doors to youth and women groups, as well as expanding o. “The Center is an ideal place for people of all ages and from all walks of life to come together as a community. I’m very excited about what the future holds for this center.” Sir Rabie stated.
Eng. Habash expressed that he “…hopes this expansion will create opportunities for more educational activities, film screenings, and women empowerment workshop. I believe increasing activities for women groups will encourage them to get involved in the surrounding villages and beyond.” Eng. Habash also stated his vision of seeing the Center open 7 days a week with a larger effort to have more volunteers join the mission.
Reflecting on Sir Rabie’s visit, a member of BSCC, Mrs. Aranki commented, “It was a great blessing to welcome Sir Rabie and Eng. Habash. All the Elders were glad to see them once again among us. We were all excited for the opportunity to thank them for what HCEF has done for us. We so much love Sir Rabie as he is originally from Birzeit. We are so proud of him.”
This year, BSCC will celebrate its 11th year of pioneering work, offering essential services to the elderly community in Birzeit and its surrounding villages. BSCC offers an invaluable service to our community and is a central program in advancing HCEF’s mission of replacing despair with hope, fear with security and humiliation with dignity.”
Without your moral and spiritual support this vision wouldn’t be possible! Help the Palestinian community by supporting the BSCC expansion efforts: https://bit.ly/1N7EWzG
