Health and Humanitarian Assistance

• Communications Training for Community Health Educators:  31 Ministry of Health community health educators and nurses obtained new skills in behavior change communications, social marketing, and health education during a three-day training workshop entitled: Behavior Change Communications for MoH Health Educators.  The hands-on and interactive training program, conducted by the Palestinian Health Sector Reform and Development (Flagship) Project, included modules on communicating health messages, planning and conducting community health campaigns, and others.  According to the participants, they now feel better equipped with skills to develop and implement their own behavior change campaigns to promote healthier living within their communities.

Water Resources and Infrastructure

• •Sidewalks and Retaining Walls in a Remote Village:  Under the Emergency Jobs Program (EJP), USAID completed the construction of sidewalks and retaining walls in Al-Mughayyer village east of Jenin in the northwest of the West Bank.  The construction was implemented by CHF International.  The project prevents soil erosion, protects the roads from water damage during winter, and provides for safe pedestrian movement.  The project also contributes to the overall appearance of the village center.  This $98,954 project created more than 2,000 work-days for 109 workers.  EJP is a 3-year $34 million program that provides emergency employment opportunities through implementation of labor-intensive small-scale infrastructure projects.
  

Democracy and Governance

• •Over 3,200 Children and Youth Take Part in Governance-themed Ramadan Activities in Gaza:  USAID’s Local Democratic Reform Program (LDR) hosted over 3,200 children and youth in Gaza for governance- themed activities.  Activities included discussions between participants and their municipal leaders in Al-Mosaddar village, a cultural quiz competition in Abasan Al-Jadida and Al-Fukhari villages, music and cultural events in Abasan Al-Kabira village, and puppet shows, soccer matches, and various theatrical and entertainment productions in all municipalities.

• Schoolbags for Needy Students:  Under the Civic Engagement Program (CEP), implemented by Associates in Rural Development (ARD), USAID partnered with the National Council for Development (NCD) – a local civil society organization in Hebron – to provide schoolbags for 900 needy students in six schools in the poor neighborhoods of the old city of Hebron.  The initiative aimed at ameliorating tough living conditions facing poor families in the old city of Hebron at the beginning of the school year. 

• Vulnerable Women Equipped to Face Increased Economic and Social Challenges:  USAID’s CEP program furnished and equipped the office of the Qatanna Association for Development and Strengthening (QADS) in Qatanna village northwest of Jerusalem.  As a result, the organization’s activities have significantly increased, and its services to the vulnerable community were remarkably enhanced.  This past week, the association trained 35 young women in the village on Human Rights.  The training aimed at advancing women’s skills to enhance their influence in local elections.

Youth and Education

• PhD Fellows in the U.S. Making Remarkable Achievements:  USAID has recently received semester transcripts of all 29 fellows pursuing their PhD studies in the U.S.  All fellows have achieved GPAs between 3.6 and 4.00.  Under fellowships from USAID and the Open Society Institute, 34 Palestinian faculty have received scholarships from USAID and OSI to study for PhDs in five major disciplines: Public Administration, Education, Urban Planning, Social Work, and Political Science.  Two have graduated with distinction, and three have finished coursework and are working on their dissertations.  The fellowships are managed under the Palestinian Faculty Development Program.  This seven-year program co-funded by USAID and the Open Society Institute aims at improving the quality of teaching and learning at Palestinian institutions of higher education.