QADER Foundation and Jericho Municipality initiate the Al-Reem Community Agricultural Project

The Al-Reem Community Agricultural Project was launched in Jericho in the presence of Ms. Shereen Bandak, Chairman of the Bethlehem Municipality Management Committee, Mr. Taysir Al-Hamidi, President of the Jericho Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Amjad Jaber, Director of the Jericho Labor Directorate; Mr. Ali Allaa, representative of the Jericho and Jordan Valley Governorate; and representatives of the security institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector in Jericho.

Mrs. Lana Bandak, Director General of QADER for Community Development, welcomed the attendees and thanked all parties involved in implementing the Al-Reem Community Agricultural Project and achieving its diverse objectives. Among these objectives is the introduction of a new model for training and rehabilitating children and youth with disabilities in agriculture, which is considered an innovative therapeutic and rehabilitative method that has been tested in Europe. She also highlighted the Jericho Municipal Community Center, established in 2010 in partnership with QADER for Community Development, which provides social and rehabilitative services to children with moderate to severe intellectual and complex disabilities. These services include physiotherapy, speech therapy, special education, and psychosocial support. Mrs. Bandak explained that the project was named Al-Reem Farm to honor the late Reem Khalil, the regional director of the Drosos Foundation, which supported the project. Reem believed in the potential and abilities of young people with disabilities and encouraged innovative and pioneering projects. Unfortunately, she passed away before the project's launch and before witnessing its completion. Mrs. Bandak also expressed gratitude to the QADER team for their consistent efforts in making the project a success, as well as the Jericho Municipality's council members, staff, and the director and employees of the Jericho Municipal Community Center for their cooperation and hard work in establishing the project.

Jericho Mayor Mr. Salem Al-Ghrouf emphasized that the Al-Reem Community Agricultural Project is a significant and necessary national achievement. He noted that people with disabilities need attention from civil society organizations and various sectors, as they possess the capabilities to perform their roles effectively regardless of their challenges. He thanked all those involved in the project and its partners for creating opportunities for people with disabilities to integrate into society and the labor market, thereby improving their economic conditions.

Mr. Ali Allaa, a representative of the disability sector in Jericho and the Jordan Valley, praised the Al-Reem Community Agricultural Project and its importance in supporting people with disabilities in the region, who often face marginalization and institutional neglect.

Mr. Waheed Zahran, Programs Director at the Drosos Foundation, gave a brief presentation on the Foundation's programs in Palestine, particularly the "Qaderoon" project, which promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market. The Al-Reem Agricultural Project was established as part of this initiative, implemented by QADER and supported by the Drosos Foundation. Zahran highlighted how "Qaderoon" offers participants with disabilities the opportunity to engage in the labor market through various pathways suited to their skills, interests, and abilities. He commended the Al-Reem project as a pioneering community model that provides space and opportunities for youth with disabilities to train and work, as well as for children of the community center to participate.

The Al-Reem project is one of the first pioneering initiatives of its kind in Palestine, offering training, rehabilitation, and empowerment opportunities for people with disabilities in agriculture. The project involves a 1-dunam greenhouse as its first phase, established on a 4-dunam plot of land adjacent to the Jericho Municipal Community Center after the land was prepared and the soil replaced. The project provides opportunities for people with disabilities to receive training in agriculture and plant propagation under the supervision of agricultural and rehabilitation specialists. It also allows children from the Jericho Municipal Community Center to participate in agricultural activities and events as part of therapeutic and educational goals. These activities aim to provide participants with learning opportunities, enhance their skills, and promote their integration into social and economic life.

At the end of the ceremony, one of the center’s children with disabilities planted a tree in memory of the late Reem Khalil. An agreement was also signed between QADER for Community Development and the Jericho Municipality to manage the project and enhance future cooperation.