HCEF recently broke ground on a collaborative project to restore 7 community wells in the Bethlehem area, providing clean, safe water to local non-profit organizations working with vulnerable communities.
Last week, HCEF celebrated the restoration of its first water cistern of the project—a 200 cubic meter well at the Antonian Charitable Society of Bethlehem, an organization which provides free housing and meals to elderly women whose families have emigrated in search of a living wage. With a staff of 25 and a live-in elderly community of 27, the well will provide undisrupted access to clean, safe water for over 50 people. Mr. Anton D’aboub, the center’s director was grateful for HCEF’s contribution: “We really needed this well. Water shortages are always happening in Bethlehem and this well will fill a great gap. We are very lucky to receive this gift.”
HCEF is also nearing completion of two additional wells at Sira School in Beit Jala, a special education center serving approximately 50 children aged 6yrs to 16yrs. The school serves children with intellectual disabilities in a context where support for special needs children is severely underfunded. The well will provide water for the students and teachers who learn and work there.
As part of the project, HCEF will soon begin well restoration at two additional schools in Beit Sahour. With access to water an ongoing threat to the local community, the restoration of community wells will ensure these critical organizations can continue the life-giving work they do in our community. With 13 years of experience renovating homes, restoring water cisterns, and rehabilitating community structures, HCEF is proud to serve alongside The Pontifical Mission for Palestine (PMP) and The Applied Research Institute, Jerusalem (ARIJ) on this important project.
