Hello friends,
My name is Maira* and I came to Jordan as a refugee when I was a young girl. At that time, a lot of Palestinians were driven out of Palestine by war.
My name is Maira* and I came to Jordan as a refugee when I was a young girl. At that time, a lot of Palestinians were driven out of Palestine by war.
Today I live in Gaza camp with my son. I prefer it here compared to the city, Aqaba. It feels like I know everyone and there is a real sense of community.
I first heard of the Department of Services for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) in 1992 when they set up their local centre and I joined the sewing program.
My husband, he passed away 9 years ago so I am the head of my household, looking after my children. DSPR has been very helpful.
The staff are often checking on me and helping me with services and referrals. I prefer DSPR to other organisations providing support in the camp because they have history and trust with the community.
Other organisations don’t provide support like DSPR; they provide support and help to everyone.
The food baskets have been a blessing for my family. They include nourishing foods, especially for women and children. Lentils are good for protein when we can’t get meat, and milk is good for my kids.
The training I’ve received from them has also been very informative for me. They talk about and raise awareness about important issues women face here, like early marriages.
Even though most of the women in the community who attend these sessions are illiterate, they are very relevant and open our minds.
I am so grateful for DSPR and for the kindness of people in Australia,
Thank you,
Maira
Download this Peace Mail in PDF here.
Local Partner Profile: The Department of Services for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) Jordan
Jordan hosts more than 2 million registered Palestinian refugees, most of who reside in cities and villages alongside Jordanians. A significant minority, however, live in camps. Most of these individuals – around 370,000 – were forcibly displaced from their homes in the Gaza Strip in 1948 and again in 1967. Like Maira*, many remain stateless and are excluded from rights and services enjoyed by citizens.
Our local partner in Jordan, the Department of Services for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), is providing refugee women like Maira with food bundles, vocational training and psychosocial support.
Your partnership is making a difference!
In August, 924 Act for Peace Partners like you came together and raised $40,873 to support people uprooted by conflict and disaster around the world, including refugee families in Jordan, who can access food support, vocational training and psychosocial support. Thank you!
Please pray:
- For the refugees that they are not forgotten and receive the care and support they need.
- For women living as refugees to continue receiving food and training.
- For our local partner staff who are working tirelessly to support people living as refugees.
