Bethlehem

Country information

In 1973, the SOS Children's Village Bethlehem was officially opened and the first 30 orphans were able to move into their new homes. In 1987, two family houses were modified to be temporarily used as Youth Facility for the adolescent boys and girls. The boys moved into a rented house in 1988. In the same year a house was bought and converted into a SOS Kindergarten later. In order to help poor Bedouin women and keep alive their traditional handicraft - carpet making - at the same time, the "Carpet house" was established in 1989. The carpets which were produced there were sold at home and abroad. As a result of the Intifada the project had to be suspended. In addition, there was only little interest on the part of the youths to learn that traditional handicraft. In 1997, the SOS Kindergarten was extended and construction works of the SOS Youth Facility were begun. After some renovation works had been done, a SOS Primary School was accommodated in some vacant rooms of the SOS National Office. The school was opened with just one class. In fall 1999/2000 lessons were given in three classes already. The SOS Children's Village Bethlehem is situated in the immediate vicinity of the Good Shepherd's Field and accommodates only Arab children due to its location. It consists of 10 family houses, a Village Director's house, a guest house and a large Community House with offices, a recreation room, a laundry, an infirmary, a workshop for repairs and a Village shop. Staff apartments for the personnel are on the upper floor.