Opportunities for disabled children are extremely limited in the Palestinian camps of southern Lebanon. Disabled children often cannot attend official UNRWA schools: there are no SEN teachers to support their learning and limited accessibility (no ramps or lifts) means that physically disabled children cannot even reach the classrooms.

 

RYP is the only project in Al Bass that creates a safe and supportive space for disabled and non-disabled children to play together utilizing a centre that RYP helped make accessible in 2005. In this space, we offer educational and creative activity sessions for disabled and non-disabled children. This is only possible because we pay for transport for disabled children to and from the project and employ a number of specially qualified Youth Workers who can support our disabled participants. This type of provision is extremely valuable to the community in Al Bass.

 

As one parent of a disabled child told us: “RYP project is like a second family. I trust to send him there. [My son] has become much less shy. Thank you for taking care of him. He cannot attend UNRWA school [because of his disability] and all day just watches TV. This is his only chance to leave the house. Please keep the project running.”

 

Can you help us to continue providing this type of specialist transport and support? This Christmas, we would like to raise £1000 towards the Lebanon project’s disability provision, to pay for transport and the salaries of two disability-qualified Youth Workers. We are appealing to our loyal supporters to pledge a donation either in your name, or in the name of a recipient in lieu of a Christmas present. It couldn’t be simpler – just press donate and follow the instructions on Just Giving. All donations from UK taxpayers are eligible for Gift Aid, so don’t forget to tick that box!

 

On behalf of all at RYP, thank you for your support and have a very Merry Christmas.