Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany is a home for handicapped adults. Four Homes has been waiting a long time for payments that were committed by the Palestinian Authority to help them function financially.
Usama did his dissertation on corruption within the Palestinian Authority and we talked about corruption in government, especially in the Palestinian Authority. It is not whether there is corruption in government, but how it is dealt with. There is plenty of money within the PA from international sources, but it is not used properly. The European Union gave the PA 2.5 billion Euros. During a recent audit, the PA could not account how the money was spent. It is easy for Palestinians to blame their troubles on the Israelis. It is not all Israel's fault- the Palestinians need to get rid of the corruption within their own government.
The relationship with Israel is becoming more difficult. Checkpoints, for example, are harder even compared to a year ago. Even though he disagrees with what Israel does to the Palestinians, Usama admires their government because they are dedicated to providing security for their people, whereas the PA is not.
Rose of Jerusalem provides day school and therapy for handicapped children up to the age of 17. He started it because 4 of his siblings are handicapped. Many problems come from inter-marrying.
We spent the afternoon getting ready for family home evening tonight. We will invite a student group to our home each Monday night this semester until all of the students have been here.
Below are some random pictures we took today.
Eighth level hallway in the Jerusalem Center, outside our offices
Typical means of transporting goods inside the Old City
Selling vegetables, fruit, and herbs inside Damascus Gate
Neatly stacked strawberries, outside of Damascus Gate
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