The Honorable Governor of Bethlehem Visits the Guidance and Training Center for the Child and Family

The Honorable Governor Abdel-Fattah Hamaiel – Governor of Bethlehem paid the Guidance and Training Center for the Child and Family (GTC) a visit on Tuesday, 29 December 2009. The purpose of the visit was to take a closer look at the center and the mental health and special education services it provides.

Ms. Vera Baboun – Chairperson of the Board of Directors welcomed the Governor and his accompanying guests on behalf of the center. A presentation about the center and projects was given by Mr. Victor Kawwas – Administrative and Financial Director. This was followed by the presentation of Dr. Samah Jabr – Director of Mental Health Services about the services provided to beneficiaries, and their importance to the individuals and families of the Palestinian society, in addition to challenges facing the center's ambition to develop and expand its services according to the needs of the community. This was followed by a tour around the center.

The Honorable Governor shared with the GTC family in their Christmas and New Year celebration, where he expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the center in serving the Palestinian community.

A four day training course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was initiated at the Guidance and Training Center for the Child and Family (GTC) on Monday 9 November 2009. The training is given on a voluntary basis by Dr. Alan Kessedjian – certified trainer / Supervisor with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). It is being attended by GTC staff and other professionals from different Palestinian organizations.  The training is designed to meet the needs professionals who are committed to applying the CBT training in their daily practice. The GTC highly appreciates the efforts of Dr. John Gleisner in making this valuable training possible.

Sr. Femia Khouri – Director of St. Joseph's School and Ms. Gloria Nasser – Social Worker St. Joseph's School have paid the GTC a short visit on Monday 9 November 2009.