YWCA - Jalazone Refugee Camp Center

The Jalazone Refugee Camp Center is one of two YWCA multifunctional community based centers located at the heart of Refugee Camps in the West Bank. Those centers aim at providing a unique place for children, youth and women to learn, grow and develop. The Jalazone Center was established in the year 1968 and is under the administration of the YWCA Ramallah branch.

1) Preschool: One of the main services of the center is providing preschool for children aged between 3-5 from the local community. A creative and diverse program is carried out throughout the year, where children engage in different activities; play, learn and grow to be healthy and active members in their community. Currently 67 children are enrolled in the preschool for 2006.
 

2) Women Training Program: Is an income generating and job creating project that aims at providing young women in the local community with a chance to develop their skills, and earn an income to sustain themselves and their families. The main program is the production of  dolls and puppets dressed in traditional Palestinian costumes including nativity sets. This project has been in existence since 1954 at the YWCA refugee camp center in Aqbet Jaber, Jericho. In addition to the dolls and puppets, different items of traditional Palestinian embroidery are produced, and recently "quilts" were added to the production line, with a distinctive Palestinian touch of traditional embroideries. Quilts are produced based on orders.

The year 2005 witnessed two new and innovative additions to this program; the first is the production of Olive Oil Soap with an "all-natural" ingredients, some types are also mixed with honey, herbs and spices to add a more moisturizing effect and fresh scents. The second is  growing and selling of Mushrooms, which has also been a successful one.
 

3) Child Identity Program: This program aims to build identity and self-esteem through cultural activities, ranging from drama, dabkeh (Palestinian traditional dance), music, singing and game playing. It addresses an important psychological need and provides opportunities for self expression in a safe and encouraging environment. Currently, three groups, with a total of 77 young girls, aged (9-12), are participating in this program at the Jalazone Center.