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Bethlehem Rafah Capital: Jerusalem Population: 6.4 million (December 2000 est.) Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arabs and Israelis Official language(s): Arabic Religion(s): Muslim, Jewish, Christian Currency: 1 new shekel = 100 agorot / 1 Jordanian dinar = 1,000 fils Our Facilities himself established the first contact with Bethlehem in 1964. A SOS National Association was founded in 1966 and in the very same year an application for a building permit of a SOS Children's Village was filed with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The construction of the SOS Children's Village was carried out in two stages. In 1973, it 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. Contact: SOS Children's Village Bethlehem P.O.Box 137 Bethlehem Palestinian Territories tel. +972-2-27 42 267 fax +972-2-27 45 179