From the final grant report submitted by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

Please share with us about how the challenge grant helped to sustain the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem.

This project has been instrumental in helping the most vulnerable individuals, many of whom lost all sources of income due to the war, gain continued access to vital services. In the midst of widespread devastation, it provided critical support to five key diocese institutions—three healthcare facilities and two educational centers—all directly impacted by the ongoing war. The project’s targeted financial assistance ensured that these institutions could remain operational and deliver life-saving medical care and essential educational services to those who otherwise would have been left without support. By focusing on the urgent needs of the most affected, the project not only sustained vital community services but also safeguarded the dignity and well-being of hundreds of vulnerable families during one of the region’s most challenging periods.

The educational institutions—St. John School in Haifa and Christ School in Nazareth—operate in communities deeply affected by economic instability resulting from the war. Many families, having lost their sources of income, were no longer able to pay tuition fees. Thanks to the project’s support, both schools were able to continue providing quality education, ensuring that learning was not interrupted for their students during this time of uncertainty and hardship.

The Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Center in Lebanon, which serves students with physical and cognitive disabilities, faced increased demand for its specialized services due to the broader regional crisis. With support from the project, the center was able to continue its vital work, offering stability and support to children in need of consistent therapeutic education.

On the healthcare front, Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus were on the frontlines of the humanitarian response. Ahli Hospital, operating under extreme conditions as the only Episcopal hospital in Gaza, provided critical inpatient and outpatient care around the clock amid ongoing bombardments and resource shortages. St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus, meanwhile, faced a sharp rise in medical needs alongside financial strain due to mobility restrictions and economic disruptions. Support from the project enabled both hospitals to maintain lifesaving services for patients who could no longer afford care.

Over a six-month period, the project directly impacted 908 vulnerable individuals: 600 in Gaza, 258 in the West Bank, 30 in the 1948 areas (Haifa and Nazareth), and 20 in Lebanon. By covering the cost of essential health services and educational needs, the initiative significantly eased the financial burden on families who were struggling to survive in the wake of the conflict. More than just a short-term intervention, this project has contributed to building long-term resilience within affected communities. By ensuring continued access to healthcare and education, it has helped families regain a sense of stability and hope. In doing so, the project has laid a foundation for recovery and empowerment across some of the region’s most impacted areas.

How did this grant make a difference in how you see gratitude?

In the face of unimaginable hardship, where hundreds of families lost their livelihoods and access to even the most basic services, this project became a lifeline. It allowed the diocese institutions to continue delivering life-saving healthcare and essential education to individuals who otherwise would have been left behind. Witnessing the impact of this grant—seeing children return to their classrooms, patients receive critical care in hospitals under siege, and families breathe a momentary sigh of relief—has been a humbling experience. Gratitude, in this context, is no longer just a sentiment. It has become a daily reality, felt in the resilience of a mother whose child can still attend school, in the relief of a patient who receives urgent care without the means to pay, and in the strength of our staff who continue to serve despite overwhelming odds. This grant did more than fund services—it restored hope, preserved dignity, and reminded us all of the power of solidarity in times of crisis. We are not only grateful for the financial support but also for the compassion and humanity that it represents. It has shown us that even in the darkest times, meaningful support can shine a light—and for that, our gratitude is deep, enduring, and transformative.