Four Homes of Mercy

Location: Bethany, West Bank
Honorary Secretary: Henrietta Farradj
Founded: 1940

How it all started
The Four Homes of Mercy grew out of one woman's response to need. Mrs Katherine Siksek, a Palestinian Christian in Jerusalem, used to visit and help destitute people in Jerusalem. In 1940, she was called to the bedside of a dying woman who had two disabled children. This lady said "I trust my children into your care," and Katherine Siksek, seeing their need, accepted this trust, beginning her lifetime's work.

The Revd Deaconess Evelyn Morris took a great interest in the Four Homes of Mercy, and brought their needs to the notice of the King of Jordan, who, in 1953, gave the land where the Centre stands today.

Mrs Siksek died in 1973, but her work is continued by her daughter, Mrs Henrietta Farradj and a committee of Palestinian Christian women. Whilst the focus of the care is on providing rehabilitation services for the physically disabled rather than simply a place or refuge, the value that began the Four Homes still provide the foundation of the work and everyone who is in need of the care that the Homes can give is eligible to enter, regardless of race or religion.

Current activities

There are up to 100 residents at the Four Homes, most of whom are wheelchair users and many of whom have additional physical or mental disabilities. For the majority of these people, the Four Homes is their home, whilst others simply stay for a limited time.

·         The Home is divided into different living areas, catering for people’s different needs. Some areas are ideal for residents with significant physical disabilities, whilst others cater for those who have both physical and mental disabilities. Residents of similar age and interest live together and therefore the Home is divided into four sections as the name suggests: the children’s section for those aged from three years; the teenagers’ section; the men’s section and the women’s section.

·         Staff provide rehabilitation programmes for each person, ranging from helping them to use a spoon to eat, to assisting them in walking. Sometimes, particularly for those people whose disabilities are degenerative, the most important concern is to maintain a person’s current level of ability, helping them to keep the independence that they have. The staff work with both the residents and their families on this programme and provide support to those who return to live with their families, helping them to continue to implement the programme at home.

·         Life is not solely based on good physical health. As well as the regular physiotherapy and occupational therapy that the residents receive, the Homes offer therapeutic activities, such as music, games, cooking and swimming. Particular importance is placed on social and recreational activities, as these enable the residents to enjoy a higher quality of life. The fact that people’s practical, everyday needs have been taken care of gives them greater opportunity to enjoy other interests and pursuits. In addition to this, residents are given jobs that help them to find a purpose in life.

·         As well as all the work detailed above, the Four Homes has a wheelchair workshop. A chair that does not meet a person’s needs is uncomfortable and can lead to pressure sores and further deformities. Therefore, the wheelchair workshop addresses residents’ needs and designs effective seating to meet these needs. Other services, including those of a dentist and ophthalmologist, are also provided on a regular basis.

Whilst the Homes ask for fees from those able to pay, many patients only give a token amount and as many again are too poor to pay anything. Less than five percent of the Homes’ income is provided by the patients. A little income comes from the local community, who use the outpatient services of the Physiotherapy department. Apart from these funds, the Homes rely entirely on donations, such as those made by BibleLands’ supporters.

The Four Homes of Mercy are unique, in welcoming and accepting those who would otherwise be rejected by society. Someone who was desperately looking for refuge for an elderly woman reluctantly admitted that she was bedridden, incontinent, and wandering in her mind, and was amazed to find that these ‘failings’ were seen as qualifications for her admission to the Four Homes.  BibleLands shares in this work, and is looking for more supporters, knowing that without the Four Homes, there would be nowhere to shelter these most vulnerable and friendless men and women and children.