“The work we do really makes me feel proud. When we contribute to solving problems, people recognize it and appreciate it,” says Gaby Abboud, USAID’s first local employee in the West Bank. Gaby started working in small U.S. Government funded assistance projects in 1988, and now, 23 years later, manages large multimillion dollar infrastructure projects for USAID. His responsibilities and duties have changed, but his love for being able to develop Palestinian society and make a difference in people’s lives has remained strong.
The program and working environment in the early days were remarkably different from the current USAID program. While today USAID implements large education, health, infrastructure, economic, and democracy and governance projects in every corner of the West Bank and some in Gaza, in the beginning the projects were small- scale, including rural development, small infrastructure, maternal care and education projects. “When I joined, the total program budget was only $12 million and very few people knew about U.S. assistance,” says Gaby.
During the first years, Gaby’s job was challenging - but also exciting. He had to balance several very different responsibilities alone. “I was the project manager, driver, car mechanic, and I also worked very closely with Consul General Philip Wilcox. We used to hop in the car without much prior planning to go to see the projects. At that time we were flexible to move around, despite the unrest caused by the First Intifada which sometimes forced us to make sudden changes.”
In 1988, the first U.S. assistance office, managed under the State Department, was set up at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. In 1991, USAID got its first official representative Suzanne Olds, and the formal USAID Mission was founded in 1994. Since then, USAID has provided over $3.5 billion in economic assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
Over the years, USAID’s projects have made positive changes in whole communities. Jericho is a good example of this. “Jericho used to be like a rural community. The situation there was worse than in many other Palestinian towns and villages,” recalls Gaby. “During the rainy season the town was completely flooded, and the infrastructure was badly dilapidated or missing. USAID projects diverted the flow of the water, making it possible for the people to move around easily, and thus stimulating business. ”
USAID also funded the construction of water systems, roads, the Jericho library and a number of schools, not to mention the rehabilitation of the ancient Hisham’s Palace - a place of touristic potential and economic profit.
One of the most recent projects improving the quality of life for over 60,000 people is the overhaul of the Jericho hospital in 2011. “Among other improvements, there is a brand-new kidney dialysis department that provides the best dialysis services in the West Bank,” says Gaby. “The patients feel that they are treated professionally and with respect.”
According to Gaby, one of USAID’s major interests is to involve the communities in the projects. “We try to communicate with the local community to hear about their needs, concerns and interests. When we commit to a project, we follow up and make sure the assistance is provided. This creates credibility and trust.”
“I feel exited when we visit a village, where a year earlier we promised to build a school, and a mother comes to tell me how the new USAID-funded school motivates her children to study and attend classes regularly. Then I truly feel that this work is making a difference and is important,” says Gaby with a big smile.
