About Us

In 1985, one of the present Trustees who spent some time working as a paediatric physiotherapist in the West Bank and The Gaza Strip recognized the dire needs of disabled children and young adults in the area. A year later, Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability (ABCD) was established as a UK registered charity No. 327327 by a Trust Deed dated 16th December 1986. On 27 February 2002, ABCD was incorporated under the Companies Acts 1985 to 1989 as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital No. 4383155 with a registered office in the UK.

The late Lord Cheshire, patron of ABCD, donated a piece of land for the building of the Beit Jala Rehabilitation Centre run by the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation (BASR).

BASR is the core of ABCD's work today.

Our Mission

ABCD is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those children and young adults who suffer from physical, mental and psychological disabilities in the Greater Bethlehem Area of the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. ABCD sponsors treatment for those in need regardless of gender, race or creed, helping them to reach their full potential, to live life with dignity and to take their rightful place in their community. ABCD works through Palestinian partners, the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation (BASR) based in Beit Jala, Bethlehem University and The Sheepfold in Beit Sahour.

Objectives and implementation policies

To promote the relief and rehabilitation of physically, mentally or multi-handicapped children and young persons from the West Bank and Gaza, ABCD sponsors community based programmes which provide medical aid, rehabilitation programmes both physical and mental, educational programmes and other such services relevant to the needs of such disabled persons and their families, including the manufacture and provision of aids and equipment and, on occasion, residential facilities. ABCD also sponsors the costs associated with a dedicated children’s services team and funds training and upgrading courses for those who work on the rehabilitation programmes.

Organisation

The Board of Trustees meets on a regular basis, but not less than twice a year, to review activities and to determine policy. The Trustees have delegated the day to day management of the charity to a Project Manager. It is the Project Manager’s responsibility, in conjunction with the Chairman and Board of Trustees and through regular field visits, to ensure that the agreed policies of the Trustees are implemented satisfactorily.