We continue to fund two students from Bethlehem University. Maysa Shomali from Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, who is in her 3rd year, studying Education. Jane Matar from Beit-Jala in Bethlehem, who is in her 3rd year studying Business Administration.

In the summer of 2011 Bahaa spent time in Washington DC. He was one of 10 young people chosen each year as part of a New Story Leadership programme. Founded by Paul Costello an Australian educationalist, the purpose is to find future Palestinian and Israeli leaders and offer them a transformative and challenging experience in Washington DC so that when they return home they are more committed and prepared than ever to shape a better future. Bahaa was allocated to spend time with Donald Payne a Democrat and the first New Jersey African American to be elected to the US Congress in 1988.

This is our first Newsletter which I hope you will enjoy reading. The committee felt that we should keep our supporters in touch during the year rather than just at our annual event in the Autumn. Please let us know if you find this helpful as we are unsure at present how many to do each year. Initially perhaps twice a year? The Newsletter includes developments of a closer relationship with Norfolk YMCA, an update on Bahaa’s progress at his University in London as well as our plans to support more students in the Holy Land.

This is our first Newsletter which I hope you will enjoy reading. The committee felt that we should keep our supporters in touch during the year rather than just at our annual event in the Autumn. Please let us know if you find this helpful as we are unsure at present how many to do each year. Initially perhaps twice a year?