(Jenin - 1/10/2017): A ceremony was organized to mark the conclusion of the Reproductive Health Project which targeted Bedouin and local communities in Northern and Central Aghwar Governorates. Held at Haddad Tourist Village near Jenin with support from the Spanish Red Cross, the ceremony was attended by representatives from PRCS’ branches and volunteers from Community Awareness Committees (CACs). This two-year Project reached out to tens of thousands of Palestinians and aimed at improving reproductive health services in remote areas in order to reduce mother and infant mortality rates and meet local health needs.
Dr. Jamal Daraghmeh, head of the Administrative Board at the Society’s branch in Toubas, took the floor during the ceremony. He underlined the vital support provided by CACs to the project and commended their efforts aimed at raising awareness and providing reproductive health education especially in marginalized areas.
Speaking on behalf of the Spanish Red Cross, Ms. Marta Vallina Bayon lauded efforts made to ensure the success of the Project and expressed joy at the creation of 3 new CACs in Al Aghwar Governorates (Toubas, Nablus and Jericho) to ensure awareness-raising and provide health education now that the Project has ended.
Ms. Haifa’ Al Fuqaha, a CAC volunteer, spoke in detail about this Project: “we carried out an array of activities to the benefit of local communities including house visits and health education sessions. We also promoted key health messages. An assessment of needs led to the creation of 3 new CACs aimed at raising awareness among local communities. CAC members have gained a lot of experience and can now supervise health and community interventions aimed at building capacities and increasing the resilience of local communities which face many challenges due to the Israeli occupation”.
Ms. Fatima Al Zahra’ described her success story as a CAC volunteer in Jericho: “difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. I graduated from nursing school but was frustrated because I could not find a job. So I volunteered at the CAC in Jericho and gained a lot of experience from working with the Reproductive Health Project. Participating in capacity building workshops and working with the mobile clinic helped develop my personality and enhance my skill set”.
Approximately 15 779 women in Bedouin communities benefited from services provided by mobile clinics while another 34 911 people took part in community awareness activities and attended educational lectures on reproductive health in Central and Northern Aghwar Governorates.
At the end of the ceremony, PRCS’ officials handed Project staff and volunteers plaques in recognition of the key role they played to ensure its success.
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