The Bethlehem development Foundation

Developing Bethlehem

العربية

The Bethlehem Development Foundation was established by the late Said T. Khoury, as the implementation arm of the Bethlehem Development Initiative that aims to transform Bethlehem into a vibrant international spiritual destination with a sustainable economy and infrastructure to make it more accommodating to the needs of its current residents, pilgrims and tourists.

Since the establishment of the organization in the month of May 2012, it was eager to achieve its mission of this holy city shines like a lighthouse and the only spiritual center of the world for the pilgrims.

Throughout 2015, the Foundation has worked hard to build bridges of fruitful cooperation with government institutions, local institutions, donor agencies and international bodies to constantly advancing in three business segments include; private sector investments, and projects of public infrastructure and donor support to achieve the master plan projects for more economic growth, development and prosperity in all parts of the Holy Land.

Enterprise projects:

1. Mosque of Omar

Restoration and rehabilitation of the health units in the Mosque of Omar to provide a sustainable service and reduce the wasting of water.

2. Bethlehem development foundation exhibition

It is an essential tool to enhance the organization’s vision, and deliver its mission and projects to people and institutions working in the field of development, tourism and culture. The Bank of Palestine donated the site to the main branch in the city of Bethlehem.

Since October the institution welcomed hundreds of students, teachers, executives, government officials and donors working in the province.

3. Social sports facilities for children and youth

4. Sports stadium in Beit Sahour

The completion of the rehabilitation of the football-based stadium through the construction of the retaining wall and add lighting to increase the duration of use to include the use of night, too.

The project was completed on May 29, 2015; it opened with a football match between the institution and the municipality of Beit Sahour on October 22.

5. Doha Quintet Stadium

This is the second component of the establishment of playgrounds and children gardens program that was launched by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Samer Khoury.

The official opening ceremony was on the August 20, 2015 with a football match between the Foundation team and the Municipality of Doha.

6. Solid waste management in Bethlehem Project

The completion of the strategic plan for solid waste management, engineering design and supervision and bring 2800 containers for waste. 12 vehicles were brought and built a central maintenance station and manage Board of Joint Services Council for Solid Waste Management.

7. The rehabilitation and beautification of Manger Square

Since the launch of the Foundation expressed the late Mr. Said Khoury his desire to beautify and rehabilitate the Manger Square to make it more attractive to locals and visitors. After the donation was possible to do the following in Manger Square:

• Put Hydraulic containers of waste underground.

• Tinkering with the damaged tile and stone in the yard.

• Drawers for the walkers in the arena entrance and asphalting it.

• The rehabilitation the old municipal building.

• Electrical work and lighting to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.

• A new parking for the municipal car.

• Banners for municipal buildings and other shops.

Do the following in the Manger Square:

• Traffic barriers to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.

• Rehabilitation and lighting units

• Rehabilitation the backyard of old municipality building

• Cleaning tile and stone in the yard

• Installation of new electrical panels.

And on the roofs of municipality buildings and Peace Center:

• Isolate the surfaces of water leak

• Building basins for plants

• Installation of metal protections

• Electricity works and installation of an irrigation system

• Installation of garrisons

• Flooring surfaces with recycled wood

8. Teacher Said Khoury Sports Complex - Beit Sahour

Beit Sahour Municipality and Arab Orthodox Cultural Club decided to designate the municipal sports complex in the name of the late teacher Said Tawfiq Khoury. The project works include closed Basketball Hall and processing wooden floor and sound proofing in addition to the rehabilitation of the outside patio, parking lots and surrounding areas.

9. Restoration of the Church of Nativity

In August 25, 2015 the organization received a grant from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development for the mosaic restoration work and the Bleacher in the Church of the Nativity. Dr. Nabil Kaddoumi was a guest in his capacity as Governor of the Palestine on the institution and the Presidential Commission for the project and paid a visit and see the progress of the project work of the church on the 27^th November 2015.

10. Christmas tree decorating - 2015

As part of the vision of the late teacher Said Khoury for the advancement of Bethlehem in the international arena, the Foundation decorated Bethlehem Municipality tree in Manger Square in 2012 for the first time. This event has received highly regarded by the people who were eager to see new things and encourage BDF to repeat it in the following years.

In 2013, the Foundation added a distinctive lighting for 30 trees in Manger Square and the three municipal buildings. In 2014, the Foundation launched a beautification and rehabilitation of Manger Square project. As part of this project, it has been added decorations and was developed in an unprecedented manner. It was inserted under the tree No. 12 by the magazine Fortune 500. In 2015, the tree was considered one of the most creative trees worldwide by the Huffington magazine.