Help Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Children this Christmas
Since joining BibleLands in April, I have heard many sad accounts of the plight of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the lands of the Bible. I would especially like to share this one story in particular with you as it has touched me more than any other.
Thirteen-year-old Jamilla lives in a small village outside Bethlehem. Born with substantial physical disabilities, hearing impairment and other medical problems, Jamilla watched as each of her older brothers and sisters started school and could not wait until the day when it would be her turn. When that time came, even the special schools in the area refused to take her, due to the severity of her disabilities. Her younger brothers and sisters went to school and she was left behind.
As with many disabled children in the Middle East, she was hidden away, out of sight. Her parents received no state aid – financial or practical – nor any help with specialist equipment, As a result, Jamilla spent long hours alone in the corner of the kitchen, while her mother struggled to cope with family chores. Her whole life was lived in one room.
Eventually, Jamilla was taken in by The Sheepfold, a small Christian day care centre based at a site known locally as Shepherds’ Field.
Since then Jamilla’s young life has changed beyond recognition.
Now, she feels the wind on her face as she plays on one of Sheepfold’s two specially adapted swings. She receives physiotherapy, learns to use specially modified IT equipment and is given those practical aids that she needs to make the most of her life.
Last Christmas, she took part in the school nativity play where her friends Juhayna and Mohammed starred as Mary and Joseph. Now, she is happy and fulfilled.
The Sheepfold reaches out to children who have no other place to go.
It aims to give each child the vital opportunity to develop their God-given potential to the full; to assist the development of self-worth; through knowing that they are loved, valued and accepted individuals who are precious in God’s sight.
The Sheepfold is given no state aid. When Jamilla’s friend, Juhayna, needed a highly specialised wheelchair, they appealed to BibleLands for funding. We helped.
We also provided those swings which Jamilla now enjoys so much.
We feel privileged that, with your help, we can support those undertaking such vital work. The Sheepfold is just one of many projects that bring simple, valuable life change to disadvantaged and vulnerable children in the Middle East.
Jamilla is just one in hundreds of thousands who need help and support. As Christmas approaches, please consider responding to this letter, so that we can enable them to spread the love of Christ more widely to those in the greatest need; those like Jamilla.
A little over 2000 years ago, shepherds tended their flocks in a field in Bethlehem. They became part of the greatest story ever told. Today, in the same field, The Sheepfold has been built. It contains a very different flock – some of God’s children who need our extra help.
Please send us your gift by making a donation online here or printing out the response form [64kB pdf] , so that this Christmas more disadvantaged and vulnerable children can experience Christian love in action and know that they too are valued and accepted individuals who are precious in God’s sight.
Yours sincerely
or complete
the response
form below
or complete
the response
form below
Response Form
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[64kB pdf]
Tricia Pruden
Head of Communications and Fundraising
