The Friends of the Lazarus Home for Girls

Help us help homeless girls in Bethany

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  Registered Charity
  No. 1075024

Our Previous Newsletters

Our older newsletters are moved to this page as newer newsletters are published. Even older newsletters are offered at the bottom of this page in PDF.

SUMMER 2009

A letter from the Chair of Trustees

Dear Friends,

It was a huge privilege for Alan (our vice-chair) and I, together with Alistair McCabe of McCabe Pilgrimages, to visit the home in June. We were there primarily to meet with the architect and to look at grant funding. You will find Alan’s update report elsewhere in this newsletter.

The good folks of Bethany need more than ever our prayers at this time of uncertainty; but, as always, we found Samar to be very positive and full of ideas! Seeing the building was a joy but we were acutely aware of the work, which needs to be one to complete the project. When we receive estimates for completion, we hope we will be in a position to proceed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we value your prayers and support for our Charity.

Once again may I, on behalf of the trustees and management committee, thank you for all you have done and given to enable us to come this far.

God Bless.

Kevin Dunne
Kevin Dunne Chair of Trustees

Construction Report

Following my visit with our chair Kevin Dunne in June 2009: as always, it was good to actually witness the progress that had been achieved since my last visit, the completion of all the pointing to external walls and the waterproofing of the roof, which has now made the building watertight.

However, due to the lack of financial funds at this point in time further construction work has now been put on hold until funds become available. As I have mentioned previously, the next stage of construction is the installation of all the external doors and window frames. Although the charity has to date has raised 50% of the total cost, it is not frugal to place an order until the total finance has been raised, as this would achieve the best positive value. My main purpose of my visit in June was to introduce our chair Kevin Dunne and Alistair McCabe of McCabe Pilgrimages to the charity's appointed architect Ibraham Younan and to visit the new home to witness the charity's progress to date. As you are aware, McCabe Educational Trust and McCabe Pilgrimages have in the post contributed to the furtherment of the construction work and have indicated that they would like to assist the charity in 2009-2010. Kevin and I will be attending a meeting with Mc Cabe Trust in early September 2009 to discuss a way forward.

During our visit, Ibraham arranged a meeting with Dr Jawad Naji, the advisor to the Prime Minister for Arab and Islamic Funds Affairs and his staff. The meeting was arranged to further the charities grant application for the supplying of domestic appliances and household equipment including play items for the children. This grant would evaluate from $180.000 to $200.000. Our treasurer has now compiled the necessary documentation and forwarded out to Ibrahim in Jerusalem.

Clinic Report

I thought I would like to share with you all this recent email I received from Marta giving a update on what is happening with regards to the clinic... as the funds are not available to finish the building work in the new home this step has been taken as a temporary measure in order to take advantage of the grants and ministry of Health involvement in the long term opportunities for the clinics.

Dear Alan,
How are you? Hope you are fine. I heard from Samar, when you had already left, that you have passed by Bethany.

I wanted to inform you about the working progress of the clinic in Bethany.

Since the building was not ready yet, we have rented an appartment; Samar is paying and will continue to pay till the new building is ready. The BMCC clinic has started for 3 months and is working very well. We have just finished the women-training course with a great success, in partnership with the Ministry of Health Doctors.

Since the building is facing the Ministry of Health, and since we needed prior permission to install the clinic from the Ministry itself, we partnered with the Ministry of Health, i.e. the clinic is run by the Ministry of Health. This will grant the running costs (electricity and water) from August 2009. The Ministry of Health, Samar and I (as Kenda) signed an agreement with the Minister of Health in person, in which we said the Ground floor will be used as clinic for the children and women of Bethany, when ready, until then she will sustain the rent costs of the rented appartment.

Marco had written you a letter around September, informing you about the clinic projects progresses.

I have too informed lawyer Jadon about the steps taken with the Ministry of Health and asked for advice.

Living and working here daily, with the problems of continuous changes in the West Bank. The Ministry of health is granting the cost of doctors, the sustainability of the clinic in the long run and of course helps those who need more help, since it covers people who have no insurance (that they do not pay). Therefore the poorest and most needy go to our clinic.

Thank you
Best Regards
Marta Jamila Berardi
Kenda local representative
Home Lazarus for Girls volunteer.

Sponsorship News

You may recall the words of our chair's visit to the home in November 2008. We quote: "I have just returned from the Holy Land, where I witnessed the arrival of latest girl to come into the fold of the Lazarus Home. The girl is about 3 years of age. She was abandoned onto the streets, covered in bruises and her milk teeth had been knocked out. A beautiful innocent baby girl, a girl who truly symbolises the reason and need for the new home."

It gives me great pleasure to bring to this online edition of our newsletter a photograph taken in June 2009 of Sojod, who is about three years of age... as you will see from the photograph, Sojod is now a very happy little girl who has settled into a caring and loving home. It is anticipated Sojod will be starting kindergarten at the start of the new academic year September 2009. It is through your continued generosity that charity is in the position to forward out to the home quarterly International Standing Order of £3,000.00 towards the food, clothing, and educational and medical fees and be there for children like Sojod through no fault of their own find themselves is great need. If you fell you would like to keep ahead of all the news at the Lazarus home by joining our sponsorship scheme I have outlined some of the questions you may raise.

On joining the scheme, you will automatically receive our pack with all the latest news and periodic updates on the achievements of the girls.

There is no stipulation in the giving of funds that is your decision; you can either give monthly, half yearly or annually. You can give as an individual or as a group: the choice is yours.

Every donation received goes to the children the charities trustees pay their own expenses and the charities running costs so you can be assured your donations do make a difference to these tender young lives.

For further information please contact us

Treasurers Report

During this difficult climate of uncertainty your continued support and charitable giving overwhelms the charities trustees. To date, the building fund has reached £55,000.00. This amount does not include the grant of £25.000, which is isolated for the clinic, and the quarterly £3,000.00 funds from the sponsorship scheme for the benefit of the children. We all extend to you our deepest gratitude, as without your help we would not be able to assist Samar and the girls.

ROLE OF HONOUR

80th Birthday Celebrations raise £1000+ for the building fund
Our profound gratitude goes to the Eileen Hutchinson who graciously made donation in lieu of her 80th birthday celebrations to the building fund which, with the gift aid donations, will top the £10,00.00 mark. Eileen, who lives in the Lake District, is an ardent support and has over time given most generously to the charity.

Congratulations go to St Paul’s Church Winlaton, who raised £150.00 from their coffee morning. Well done to all who achieved this wonderful amount in aid of the building fund.

Our grateful thanks are extended to Joyce and Dorothy Sisterson who withstood the elements at Seaton Sluice Harbour Day to raise funds for the charity. Joyce and Dorothy are always ready and willing to participate in any activity the charity hosts in raising funds. Two quite unassuming ladies who really deserve a 'pat on their back' for all their good works. Well Done Girls: we really appreciate all that you do in the charities name.

Dates for your diary

8 to 10 September 2009 sees Philip Welsh competing in the Coast to Coast Ride from Whitehaven in Cumbria, finishing at Tynemouth North Tyneside, covering a distance of approx 80 miles in aid of the building fund. Anyone wishing to raise sponsorship funds please make contact with the treasurer on 0191 2376798, who will supply you with a sponsorship form by return.

19 September 2009 Coffee Morning, Parish Centre, Chester Le Street, County Durham. 10am–2pm. In aid of the building fund. Coffee Cakes light refreshments bric a brac stall. All Welcome.

1 November 2009 Friends of Lazarus Home for Girls AGM. 3.00pm at The Chapel at Sherburn Hospital, Sherburn House, Durham DH1 2SE.

Prayers from Revd David Attfield

Prayers for the Homes and for peace in the Holy Land. They can be used as biddings in Church Services; for expansion into extemporary prayer; and as themes for meditation.

Mondays Give thanks for the Jeel Al Amal Boys' Home. Pray for the helpers and teachers at the school; for the safety of the boys and their hopes for the future.

Tuesdays Pray for the Lazarus Home for Girls in Bethany; for Samar and the housemothers; give thanks for Samar’s organising an holiday for the girls in Italy and for her being able to finance this. We pray for the safety and enjoyment of the girls, before they move into the new home.

Wednesdays Give thanks for the new building for The Lazarus Home. Pray for its completion, for its fitting and furnishing. Pray for the settlement of the girls in their new quarters. We thank God for the generosity of McCabe Travel; we are also grateful for the willingness of the West Bank authority to supply funding. Pray too that grants will be forthcoming for the proposed Medical Centre.

Thursdays For the peace witness of Samar and her Jewish women friends; for the wider reconciliation of Jews, Christians and Moslems in the Holy Land, in this country and in the USA.

Fridays for lasting peace and justice in Israel, the Gaza strip, the Palestinian Territories and the Lebanon; we also ask for a generous response to President Obama’s new approach.

Saturdays Pray for the overcoming of problems caused by the wall and its extension; and for concerns over the fresh Jewish settlements in the West Bank. We also pray for the new Prime Minister of Israel and for his response to international pressures for peace.

– David Attfield

EASTER NEWSLETTER 2009

CHRIST IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA
Wishing you all a Happy Easter

A letter from the Chair of Trustees

Dear Friends,

As you will read in this newsletter, the building of the new home is progressing and the outer shell is now complete – all made possible thanks to the prayers and financial support of you all. What a generous God we have, and what generous hearts our supporters have too!

We now have to find the funds to complete the internal work so that it won't be too long before the girls move into their new home. In the current financial clime, we seem to have a struggle ahead of us, but our feeling is that the Lord has brought us thus far, and it is He who will take us further. We have every confidence that the remaining funds will come soon. Meanwhile, we continue to hold Samar, her staff and all the girls in our prayers, especially in the current political climate in which they are living.

Thank you once again for being alongside us in our vision for The Lazarus Home for Girls.

God Bless.
Kevin Dunne Chair of Trustees

Progress Report on the Construction of the New Lazarus Home in Bethany

November 2008

Unless the Lord builds the house its labours build in vain.

Although it has only been a short while since I last updated you all on the progress of the new building, which is situated in Bethany Village, further progress has now been achieved thanks to the generosity of our supporters an a grant which has assisted the charity in the furthering of the construction of the new home.

The charity's architect, Ibrahim Younan, has now been instructed by the charity to carry out the water proofing of the roof to the third floor. This will now make the building watertight.

Work has also commenced on the external pointing and polishing of the external stonework to the total building; it is estimated this work should be completed by the end of March 2009.

As you will see from the photographic evidence, this work has totally changed the appearance of the building.

Quotations have now been received from the architect for the installation of all the external doors, frames, windows, and window shutters (the shutters will keep the building cool during the summer months when the temperatures are at there highest, as well as providing security for the home.)

Once funds have been raised to achieve this goal work will then commence on the final stage of the fitting out of the internal building. This will enable the girls and staff to move into the home.

Clinic Update: as previously mentioned in the Christmas Newsletter, the formation of the clinics to the ground floor to accommodate Paediatric and Gynaecology Clinics would provide benefits for the local community in Bethany Village. As medical insurance is not accessible to everyone these clinics would reach those who have the least potential of gaining medical assistance. The clinics totally depend on the charity achieving grant funding. As our treasurer has previously informed our supporters, a grant application had been made and, although this grant has been partially successful in achieving a 25% of the funds required, there are terms and conditions on the use of the funds received. Terms and conditions by our benefactor have placed strict stipulations on the use of the funds for mechanical installation, air conditioning, and sanitary ware only.

These strict stipulations cannot be achieved until the construction of the internal of the building and further grant applications become available.

Once again may I personally thank you all for your constant support and prayers, which is enabling the charity to achieve the completion of this much needed home.

Thanks be to God
Alan Anderson, Vice Chair and Building Coordinator

Treasurer's Report

As Alan Anderson has mentioned in his update report, the charity has been successful in achieving 25% of the clinic grant. This evaluates to £25,000.00, which will be isolated in the accounts until such time as the charity can comply with the strict terms and conditions of the grant funding.

The charity's annual Gala Dinner Dance was a tremendous success, our grateful thanks go to Foxx Boy Band, whose entertainment made the night a lively event. To date funds raised from this event are in the region of £16,00.00. Praise the Lord.

Our grateful thanks also extend to Denis Metcalf at Sainsburys Store Whitley Bay, who had his 25-year-old moustache shaved off in the middle of the store. This was to the alarm of his wife who had never seen Denis clean-shaven. £60.00 was raised for the building fund. For those of you who might think this is a drastic way of raising funds I am pleased to say a new moustache has now grown back.

Further funds raising events together with your most generous donations, now stand in access £50,0000.0 – this amount does not include the isolated grant.

A personal thank you to all who have responded to our appeal for sponsors the funds raised from this scheme allows the charity to forward out quarterly International Standing Orders which evaluate to £12.000.00 per annum. These funds provide food, clothing, and educational and medical fees.

If you want to join our scheme or if you would like to receive further information please contact us.

Finally, just to reiterate, every donation received goes to the children. The trustees meet their own personal expenses and the charity's running costs.

Love in Jesus
Shirley Anderson: Hon. Treasurer.

Prayers from Revd David Attfield

Prayers for the Homes and for peace in the Holy Land. They can be used as biddings in Church Services; for expansion into extemporary prayer; and as themes for meditation.

Mondays Give thanks for the Jeel Al Amal Boys' Home. Pray for guidance in the choice of a new head of the home; for the helpers and teachers at the school; for the safety of the boys and their hopes for the future.

Tuesdays Pray for the Lazarus Home for Girls in Bethany; for Samar and the housemothers; for the safety of the girls and their hopes of a better future; for those girls, infants and staff who have been rejected by their families. For our sponsorship system and other fundraising efforts in local churches and communities. We thank God for the generosity of McCabe Travel and we pray for our future cooperation with them.

Wednesdays Give thanks for the completion of the new building for The Lazarus Home. Pray for its fitting and furnishing and for fundraising for this. Pray for the settlement of the girls in their new quarters. Pray too that grants will be forthcoming for the proposed Medical Centre.

Thursdays For the peace witness of Samar and her Jewish women friends; for the wider reconciliation of Jews, Christians and Moslems in the Holy Land, in this country and in the USA.

Fridays For lasting peace and justice in Israel, the Gaza strip, the Palestinian Territories and the Lebanon; for Tony Blair as he tries to mediate in difficult situations. For the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip after the recent war.