PRESS RELEASE - MBE AWARDED TO FOUNDER OF ACTION around BETHLEHEM CHILDREN with DISABILITY (ABCD) FOR 30 YEARS OF WORKING WITH DISABLED CHILDREN N PALESTINE
It is with great pleasure that we announce that Val Jourdan, Founder of Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability (ABCD) has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours for her services as "Founder, Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability, Palestinian Territories, for services to improving the lives of disabled children in the West Bank" This is a wonderful accolade for her work as Founding Trustee and for ABCD too.
Georgina Mortimer – Chairman ABCD, UK Registered Charity 1097623
31st December 2014
Val says:
"I am, of course, hugely honoured to receive the MBE , but I do so on behalf of all those who have worked for our charity Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability – (ABCD) since our foundation in 1984 and none more so than our Chairman, Georgina Mortimer.
The aim of ABCD is to improve the quality of life for those children in Palestine suffering from physical, mental and psychological disabilities regardless of faith, race or creed.
We have worked continuously with the same local partners, The Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation, (BASR) and in particular with their Children's Co-ordinator Rima Canawati, who is herself blind. Together with the BASR we have helped create day care centres reaching out and bringing grass roots treatment alongside helping fund staff training programmes in Community Rehabilitation and paramedical skills.
Our work continues to increase as the needs of children in the West Bank grow day by day. With 30 years in the field we are now able to use this extensive experience to help further afield. Our latest projects are establishing rehabilitation services in two refugee camps in Northern Palestine and of course we could do more if further funding was available.
Our Patrons give us very special support, as do our Trustees past and present who have contributed brilliantly over the years adding many, many various talents to the success of the charity.
I would like to dedicate this award to all those who support ABCD, also to the many
organisation and individuals who so generously fund our work. If you are hearing about ABCD for the first time, I will feel heartened that the award of the MBE has put me and ABCD in touch with you, as without you and all our supporters nothing can be achieved."
Val Jourdan - Founding Trustee
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