Thalassemia Patients Friends Society and the National Coalition for the Employment of Persons with Disability, in cooperation with Bank of Palestine, organize an advanced workshop to raise Thalassemia Patients awareness of  Banking and Micro Projects

Within the activities of the National Coalition for the Employment of Persons with Disability, in cooperation with Bank of Palestine, an advanced workshop, to raise awareness about Banking and Micro Projects, was arranged targeting 18 male and female patients of Thalassemia from the various governorates of the West Bank. Thalassemia patients face a series of unjustified difficulties and challenges in the labor market due to being affected by such disease. Thus, the initiative for the training came in order to encourage target groups to be involved in launching micro projects that could bring them economic and social empowerment; and consequently, affects their health indexes positively.

Mrs. Jihad abu- Ghoush- TPFS secretary, Mr. Rami Mehdawi- Director of General Administration for Employment at the Ministry of Labor- Coordinator of the National Coalition for the Employment of Persons with Disability, Mr. Shakir Safadi- head of micro projects administration at Bank of Palestine, and Ms. Suzan Mansour- officer of the consultation services attended the opening of the workshop. Mrs. Abu- Ghoush expressed the importance of such projects in a speech delivered at the beginning emphasizing that such programs would enhance the hopes of patients and open scopes for them to get work opportunities. Furthermore, she expressed deep thanks for both the ministry of labor and Bank of Palestine for providing such opportunity, alongside with welcoming the attendants from public and appreciating their care and participation.

On a related level, Mr. Rami Mehdawi expressed deep thanks to Bank of Palestine and appreciation to its care about persons with disability issues, alongside with appreciating applying the principle of 5% employment opportunities for persons with disability and provide them with needed facilities and trainings to launch their own projects. Mr. Mehdawi mentioned that there is an agreement between the ministry of labor and Bank of Palestine to provide loans for micro projects including conducting educational workshops about banking issues and proving guidance and advice for women as well as for persons with disability.

Mr. Shaker Safadi welcomed the participants and highlighted the role of Bank of Palestine in supporting and empowering persons with disability starting by preparing their own projects and provide information about banking issues where the Bank launched a program for micro projects targeting women and persons with disability.

The workshop was the result of several consultative meetings conducted by T
PFS  with Ms. Duaa Siam from Bank of Palestine based on the advice and support from Mr. Mehdawi. TPFS, as member in the National Coalition for the Employment of Persons with Disability, looks for strategic partnership with Bank of Palestine as pioneering institution in the field of banking in addition to the programs adopted by the Bank in the field of social responsibility, especially in the health sector. Additionally, TPFS is aware of the importance of the zero interest loan targeting persons with disability, which proved noticeable success during the previous cycle. We wish that Thalassemia patients will be part of the program in the next cycle.