Meeting the Needs of Palestinian Children in Our Companion Diocese
Never let it be said that the kitchen angels at St Martin’s can’t put together a delicious Parish Tea. Two cakes prepared for the Parish Tea to welcome special guest Ibrahim Faltas honoured the Queen’s 90th birthday on one while the other depicted the Mount of Olives. Both were delicious accompaniaments to a very informative talk. Pictured are Fr John Organ with Ibrahim Faltas.A Parish tea hosted by St Martin’s on Friday, April 22 welcomed Ibrahim Faltas, the General Director of the Princess Bassma Centre in Jerusalem. The Centre is part of the ministry by the Anglican Diocese in Jerusalm, sister Diocese to the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.
The forty people attending the tea included delegates from the upcoming Jerusalem Women’s Conference. Mr. Faltas gave a presentation and took questions on the work the centre is accomplishing in its treatment programs for children with disabilities notably with respect to treatment programs underway since 2005 for Palestinian children on the autism spectrum.
Mr. Faltas has been the Centre’s General Director’s since 2013. He was in Ottawa in 2014 to explore the possibility of the Princess Bassma Centre partnering with CHEO in its work with autistic children. Bishop Chapman made a strong commitment to supporting such a partnership. On this return visit Mr Faltas’ had what John Organ, St Martin’s Rector, called a fantastic meeting with CHEO that will result in a three way partnership between CHEO, the Ottawa Anglican Diocese and the Princess Bassma Centre. Next steps will focus on solidifying the relationship which will see some of the Centre’s staff coming to CHEO for training and for CHEO staff to be on hand at the Centre.