Lifeline Projects

Lifeline has felt the importance of short and long-term sustainable projects being implemented in the villages.  To this end, Inger Hava has been on the alert for workable schemes that might benefit the villagers through the starting up of small businesses or the establishing of something that would serve the village as a whole.  The projects listed below have helped people to be more self-sustaining; most are finished while Lifeline still hopes to finish one of the kitchens, and their descriptions appear below.

Project Joshua This is essentially a children’s playground in one of the villages where, up to now, no such thing had existed.  Inger Hava had the special joy of being part of breaking ground for it.  The Arabs and Americans gathered there planted several trees: pears, apples, grapefruit, guava, rosebushes and shrubs.  For each thing planted, Pastor S prayed over it to be fruitful.  It was a special time and felt so right.  Pastor S made some beautiful certificates recording the gifts made for each tree or bush planted. 

 

                             

Project Andrew This was set up for Andrew and his family, neighbors of Pastor S.  He was in much need of work to support himself, his wife and 3 children. He had not had work for 9 months, nor could he find any.  The money given to Lifeline was used to start a self-supporting business: a sheep farm for his family.  Inger Hava saw the sheep when she visited in March 2008, and she was glad to see the family able to provide for themselves.

 

Project Kitchen Help This has involved 3 kitchens that if any of us had to use, we probably could not.  One kitchen was worse than the others.  The first one that Lifeline helped fix belongs to a family of 6 in the village of Aduba.  The mother of the home, Abby, a special lady, has a job working hard for her family at a very low salary.  The father does not work, and cannot find work no matter where he looks.  Their four precious children range from 12 to 19 and are hoping and praying for an education.  They live in two rooms, and have a dinky old kitchen and bathroom.  But now – oh, the joy, it’s fixed; and also Lifeline is helping three of the kids in college and school.

The two other kitchens have worse problems, and we still need funds to fix one of them – approximately $5,000.  This kitchen belongs to a family in Aduba with three children, and two adults.  The dad works as a Service Car driver (something like a taxi driver with a Minibus), taking three to four trips a day from Aduba to Ramallah with eight passengers.  The third kitchen we have put on hold for a while. 

I wish you could watch their faces and eyes when it becomes a reality!

Project Furniture This was set up for two families who needed furniture.  One home only had a few items of plastic furniture for 17 years.  The father of the house works very hard, but there was no money to replace furniture.  The wife also is ill; and medicine is very expensive.  Lifeline was able to help them purchase new living room furniture nicer than anything they ever have had!  

 

The other family also did not have anything as nice as now after Lifeline helped to replace or supply furniture for them.  The old ones were so ‘dinky’ that you would be afraid to sit in them in case they fall apart.  But now, again, oh, the joy!

 

Project Christina  Although we were not financially able to send the entire family over to Brazil, sponsors gave a gift so that Christina could visit her mother and family for perhaps a last time since her mother is very old.  We are glad for Christina since her family would not have been able to afford getting her to visit. 

At this time, we are hoping to move Christina and her family to another village which is larger and has more job possibilities.

 

Project Students At this time we support twelve students, including students who want to further their education by going to a university or a better high school program.  For many it is a dream that is impossible because of lack of funds, but we can only help a small handful.  Without an education, these young people do not have much of a chance for work or an adequate financial future. At this point, we support these students with $100 a month.

 

For the kids at elementary and high school, we would like to offer them another option other than the public schools which on the West Bank are run by a Muslim government.  Because of the Muslim propaganda and the generally poorer education standards, Christian parents would like very much to put their kids into Christian (private) schools.  Many cannot presently do that due to lack of funds.  Each kid at this level receives about $60 per month.

 

Project Chicken Farm

 

Project Hope and Joy is completed and is indeed a joy to the people of Aduba.  In 2005, Hava and a handful of Americans came over to help make this dream a reality by being involved in some of the planting.  In the meantime, an Italian aid organization had been contacted concerning the project, which received their approval and financial assistance.  Lifeline provided all the plants, trees and grass and even a few of the picnic tables.  Beginning with a few trees and flowers, planted in the honor and memory of a few of our friends, this project came alive.  Working side by side, Americans and Arabs hacked into the rocky soil day and night! 

In one year the project was completed.  It is now a beautiful place where families come and play together and enjoy each others company.  Weddings and other social occasions in the village use the park as their venue.  

Project Vegetable Garden has been providing vegetables for six families since Lifeline helped buy the plot five years ago.  It provides enough for the families, and they are always generous to give to those who might need. 

Projects Not Finished

For now, I have put all the Projects on hold, except to fix up my house so it will be more livable for Miriam and her twins.  The cost will be approximately $1500.  Also Jammer’s sister-in-law, who lives between my house and ES’ home, has a home in great need of fixing up.  She is now a 79-year-old lady, and has no toilet in the house, but an outhouse, and no shower, and no real kitchen; it is one large room.  I would love to se e it fixed so Jammer could live there with her as well.  The cost will be approximately $3000; can anyone help?