People with disabilities are among the most marginalised groups in Palestine, yet safe spaces and opportunities for an independent life are often lacking. For over 30 years, Star Mountain has been creating exactly these opportunities.
Initiative
Rehabilitation and integration of young people with disabilities
Impact 2023
Rehabilitation, learning, and vocational training services for 90 people with disabilities; recreational activities and psychosocial support for 120 refugee children
Ranya has been working in Palestine for over 25 years for international organisations in humanitarian aid and development cooperation. Since 2017, she has been the director of the Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center (SMRC).
Previously, Ranya led various departments and managed large projects with substantial budgets. She is now responsible for the entire SMRC, which has around 30 staff members who provide direct support to 90 people with disabilities at the centre, as well as an additional 100 people at their homes.
Ranya takes on this responsibility with great passion, as she firmly believes that her skills and extensive experience can make a significant contribution to the stability and continuity of this important institution in the West Bank. Her goal is to enable as many people with disabilities as possible to live an independent and dignified life.
Initiative
Star Mountain has been offering educational, rehabilitation, and vocational training programmes for young people with disabilities in the West Bank for over 30 years. In this region, there are no government facilities providing such services, and very few private institutions offer a portion of these programmes. These are often associated with high costs that most families cannot afford.
The centre caters to people with disabilities from early childhood up to the age of 40. It includes a kindergarten, a school, a vocational training centre, and a community programme. Participants are supported according to their abilities to become as independent as possible. This is achieved through a holistic approach that combines education with the teaching of life skills and vocational training programmes.
Vision
A safe and inclusive society in which all people have the opportunity to thrive and fully realise their potential.
Programme & Activities
- Inclusive Kindergarten
The kindergarten provides educational and rehabilitation services for children with intellectual disabilities aged 3 months to 6 years, as well as for children without disabilities aged 3 months to 4 years. The aim is to promote self-care and the cognitive, physical, social, language, and behavioural skills of the children. Currently, it accommodates 30 children.
- Special Education School
The school offers educational and rehabilitation services for children with intellectual disabilities aged 6 to 14 years. It promotes the academic, cognitive, behavioural, language, as well as physical and social skills of the children to enhance their independence and self-sufficiency. The current capacity of the school is 35 children.
- Vocational Training Programme
This programme enables people with disabilities to exercise their right to vocational training and employment in the Palestinian labour market. It provides educational, rehabilitation, vocational training, and employment services for participants aged 14 to 40 years. Currently, 40 young people with disabilities can benefit from the activities.
- Integration Projects and Awareness-Raising Measures
The community work of SMRC aims to embed the rights of people with disabilities within local councils and communities. In particular, school principals, teachers, and educational advisors are sensitised to the rights of people with disabilities, such as the right to education and protection. Another important aspect of the work is strengthening the capacity of community institutions to integrate the rights of people with disabilities into their strategies, programmes, and activities. To promote the safe integration of people with disabilities into the local community, SMRC works closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development.
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