The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre

This week, we are praying for the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre, which is located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Since it first opened its doors in 1964, the Centre has treated thousands of Palestinian children with disabilities, and supported and empowered their families.

There are still high levels of cultural stigma directed at disability in Palestine. Children with disabilities often struggle to access the treatment they need, as the ongoing Israeli occupation has devastated infrastructure and the economy, leading to overburdened health services. Road closures and checkpoints across the West Bank make it difficult to travel to therapy appointments and access medical treatment, especially since 7 October 2023.

Supported by Embrace, the Princess Basma Centre is running an Outreach and Capacity Building Project that serves children with disabilities and their families in areas of the West Bank where provision and expertise is limited. Under this project, a multidisciplinary team from the Centre makes regular visits to assess children with disabilities at local health and rehabilitation centres in the West Bank.

After being assessed, children are either referred to local health centres or to the Child Rehabilitation Programme at the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre. On discharge, many are linked back to their local provision.

The project is also building the capacity of eight strategic partner centres in the West Bank to treat children with disabilities and their families. The Centre provides onsite training in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. This is improving the quality of service provision for children with disabilities in the West Bank, especially in isolated and economically challenging areas.

Bible verse

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’.

Romans 15:13

Thought

The Mount of Olives, where the Jerusalem Princess Basma is located, is a significant spot in biblical history. It is first mentioned when David flees from his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:30), and its sacred character is implied in Ezekiel 11:23: ‘And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city’.

The Mount of Olives was also central in the life of Jesus. Jesus taught on the Mount of Olives and he went there to pray. He climbed the Mount of Olives the day before his betrayal and arrest. After the resurrection, he ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives. It was on the slopes of the Mount that the disciples received a promise that Jesus would one day return (Acts 1:9-12).

As Christians, when we think of the Mount of Olives, we can be reminded of the hope we have in Christ. And in the same way that the Mount of Olives is a place of hope, the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre is a place of hope for many Palestinian children and their families. For nearly 50 years, it has treated children with disabilities. Despite wars and times of unrest, its doors have stayed open to vulnerable children and their families, offering a lifeline of support and care.

Ask yourself: Despite difficult circumstances and the negativity of current events, how can we as Christians maintain hope?

Prayer

Loving God,

We pray for the work of the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre. Thank you that it has been a beacon of hope and light for the past five decades.

Thank you for the transformative impact it has on the lives of the children and families it serves. May you bless the Centre’s efforts to improve health provision for children with disabilities in the West Bank – and may many more be able to access much-needed care and support.

Help us to hold onto hope in times of uncertainty and help us to trust you. Fill us with your love and grace, and help us to walk in your glorious light.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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