JumpStart International has extended its existing revitalization project in Beit Hanoun, a city in the north of the Gaza Strip for additional eight weeks.

 JumpStart workers completing one section of Beit Hanoun highway

Additional damage caused by recent Israeli incursions into Beit Hanoun and the surrounding areas has left thousands of tons of debris throughout the area, preventing or obstructing traffic on the roadways. The city’s infrastructure is in extremely bad condition and the streets receive little public maintenance from the cash strapped municipality. The highway connecting Beit Hanoun to the rest of Gaza is marred by deep holes and concrete debris making traveling not only difficult but extremely hazardous.

Debris obstructing roadway in Northern Gaza

With the current unemployment rate in Beit Hanoun estimated at 41%, the Beit Hanoun project extension will provide additional 4,032 days of employment to 168 local residents.

With their days filled by bombings, incursions, occupation and fear, the 1.4 million Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip have a hard time finding things to smile about. What they know about America (and Americans) is mostly confined to international policies, media reports and global politics. Rarely do they have personal contact with anything positively representing the US.

By creating jobs and helping to rebuild their communities, Gaza residents are recognizing JumpStart on the streets and responding positively to our presence here. JumpStart projects are making an important contribution to their everyday lives while allowing Palestinians to see another side of America.

Local Residents and JumpStart Workers

Sofiahn Abdu Rahman Igreg lives in a refugee camp in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. He lives with his wife, their four children and his mother and father. Being a skilled tradesman in concrete framing, he had been out of work for months until he found employment with JumpStart International on the Polytechnic School near his home in Khan Younis.  “I am thankful that JumpStart is doing projects here, because of this I can provide for my family for awhile. It is good to see Americans here, so we understand that they care about our problems and are willing to help”.