Jerusalem/ 28 February 2023 - The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre received a delegation from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Palestinian NGO Development Center (NDC), in the framework of France’s support to the center. Through a generous donation from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and with the administrative support of the NGO Development Center (NDC), a renovation of Floor -1 of the Princess Basma Inclusive School was made possible. This renovation included a computer lab, classrooms for children with autism and a support room.
The visit included an introduction to the work of the Centre and its main activities, in addition to a tour of all the Centre’s facilities. It also included a visit to the newly renovated part of the Princess Basma Inclusive School, in the Autism Department, which was renovated as part of the project "Renovation of key learning zones at the Jerusalem Princess Basma Inclusive School"
The Desk Officer for Cooperation and Development of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alexandre Calvez, said that the services offered by the Basma Centre for Children with Disabilities are very impressive. The ability to have parents and children housed in the same place to receive treatment and rehabilitation services is very special. In addition, providing Comprehensive Rehabilitation services and Inclusive Education under one roof is what makes them unique.
Meanwhile, Ms. Camille Grujon, Desk Officer for Palestine, at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said that the Basma Centre's programmes and services for Palestinian children with disabilities are a source of hope and provide security and joy.
The Deputy Director of the French Development Agency, Mr Philippe Maurel, also expressed his admiration for the new project, which was recently renovated, pointing out that the nature of the services provided and the consideration of continuous development make the Princess Basma Centre a source of inspiration, especially because it attaches great importance to raising awareness about the issues of Palestinian children with disabilities. This offers them the possibility of a better future.
The Director of the Palestinian NGO Development Center )NDC(, Ghassan Kasabreh, pointed out the importance of this type of service that would improve the lives of Palestinian children with disabilities and stated that the NDC is interested in cooperating with the Basma Centre in developing the services offered and improving the quality of all services for children.
For her part, Mrs. Violette Mubarak, the General Director of the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre, stressed the importance of the role of the Palestinian NGO Development Center and Agence Française de Développement AFD in supporting our vision, which aims to provide all Palestinian children with disabilities access to Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Inclusive Education, and to enable them to participate, influence and have equal opportunities to achieve their goals. She pointed out the importance of increasing the intake capacity of the Centre and the school in order to provide Comprehensive Rehabilitation services and Inclusive Education to as many Palestinian children with disabilities as possible, especially given the great need for these types of services.
