Recent developments at the Spafford Children's Center

After the atrocious attack of September 11 caused the death of several thousand innocent people, the Israeli government unleashed a campaign of aggression against the Palestinian population. The fact that there was almost no protest from the international community created yet more despair among Palestinians, who felt blamed and punished for something they were not involved in. There has also been a decrease in international aid for
Palestinian institutions and organisations.

The harassment and degradation of the Palestinian people have never been worse. Harsh measures have included strict closures of towns and villages, bombing, shelling and military incursions into Palestinian areas. Lives, homes and infrastructure have been destroyed.

As well as deaths there are even more wounded, some of whom will be maimed for life, and even many more who are psychologically traumatised through the fear and violence around them. The pain of sudden unexpected loss of loved ones can also cause permanent psychological damage. To conserve scarce resources, each East Jerusalem medical facility has been allocated a particular role: SCC has been charged with the counselling and support of victims, the bereaved and their families. In addition to its other activities, therefore, SCC has directed much effort and resource to helping them, especially children and women, through therapy and counselling. Research has shown that the earlier counselling is provided to the traumatised, the better they will recover or at least learn to cope.

Once again it has been the dedication of the staff that made it possible for SCC's programmes to continue. Travelling to work entails endless delays and humiliations at Israeli army road blocks, and can incur serious risk. Staffhave nevertheless attended the clinic whenever not turned back by the army; and even then, and when travel has been prohibited entirely by curfews, they have arranged to meet patients for impromptu sessions within their blockaded towns.

Financially, the situation is very nearly impossible: Palestinians living under Israeli rule are impoverished by the closures and SCC is not usually able to charge more than very modest fees, often not even that. All departments are running at a loss, grants from abroad are hard to obtain since September 11th; it is no longer possible to maintain an adequate
supply of medicines and the wages bill is paid at the end of each month only by using up reserves intended for severance pay. These funds are now nearly exhausted, and unless substantial outside funding is found soon, staff will inevitably have to leave, shrinking inadequate services still further.

A single bright spot in these unhappy months has been provided by Lord Gilmour of Craigmillar and Mr. Abdul Mohsen al Qattan, who have very kindly consented to become patrons of SCC. Also very welcome is our new paediatrician, Dr. Sami Nabulsi, who is already familiar in the Medical Department as he has acted as a locum for Dr. Jantien Dajani for some years. It has been a very timely addition to the staff as Dr. Dajani has recently often been prevented from coming to the clinic from Beit Jala by roadblocks.

Plans for 2002

Even though the future seems bleak with no end to conflict in sight and not enough money, pressure to expand our programmes from patients is increasing.

Funds have been raised for establishing a Speech Therapy Section which will commence this year. It will be part of the Psycho-Social Department and function in close co-operation with the Special Education Section.

In the Medical Department an initiative in complementary medicine is under consideration. A central registration system with computer network has to be installed to increase efficiency, which will cover registration for all departments.

In the Cultural Department, additional space needs to be created for the library, the drama and dancing section needs equipment and we must try to organize workshops with professional art and music teachers as these activities are of particular help to children recovering from emotional damage.

Funds from the British Consulate General for Expressive Art Therapy will soon end but more courses in it are needed as it is an invaluable tool in the treatment of the traumatised and the bereaved; the beginners' course that will end in April needs to be followed by an intermediate one, while at the same time the number of courses has to be increased. A course for young people wounded in the violence will start soon. As these courses sometimes lead to emotional outbursts it is necessary to create a soundproof room.

We have almost no resources left, and very little income, but the need is urgent and great. Please see our "How to Help" page if you would like to contribute to any of these programmes.

Also see our report on 2000.