by Richard Fletcher, The Journal
A CARING couple have made Christmas wishes come true for women in war-torn Palestine after setting up a specially-designed care home.
Inspired by a dream, Shirley Anderson and her husband Alan have tirelessly worked to raise cash for the centre.
Now the Holy Land will see a modern-day Christmas miracle when young girls, many of whom had lost hope, will move into their brand new, custom-built care home which will change their lives forever.
The million-pound refuge – the Lazarus Home for Girls – was built after the couple, from Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, spearheaded a huge fundraising campaign and made many trips to oversee the work.
It is the first female refuge in Palestine.
Shirley and Alan are now aiming to have the home completed early in the New Year which will mean the girls can move in.
Last Christmas The Journal told how the Andersons raised more than £800,000 to form a girls’ home that will give children a safe place to live, learn and grow up properly.
The idea came to them after Shirley had a dream about helping children in the Holy Land and, when they looked round an orphanage in Bethany, they decided to help.
They began with temporary accommodation back in 1997 and by last Christmas had the shell of the new building in place. Since then the couple have been fundraising to complete the next stage and since August have sent out £165,000. The five-floor shell now has tiles and windows with shutters and they aim to have the interior finished ready to move in by January or February.
When that happens the girls will get a Christmas party and many of the donors from the North East will travel out to see the work they have made possible.
Shirley said: “The building is massive – I cried when I saw it. September was the first time I’d seen it and the size and scope was mind-boggling.
“I do cry when I see the girls, they can’t believe they’re going to live in such a building. I get lots of loves and cuddles. You can’t fail but love them.
“People are generous, and people send in money in memory of someone.
“Another couple have asked for all their 40th wedding anniversary presents to be donations. We still send out £12,000 a year for the upkeep of the girls and people have been very generous and loyal.” As well as the home, the building will also include a much-needed clinic. What it will house has yet to be decided but it could have a paediatrician to look over the children and decide what further help they need.
Once needs have been identified, Shirley hopes this might promote a network of health care centres to meet those needs.
She said: “One little girl can’t speak. It might be because she is traumatised by what she’s seen or it might be that she’s got autism. There’s a need for an assessment centre.
“We could have a paediatrician to assess the children’s needs, whether it’s mental or physical, but I don’t want it to be just for our girls but for the community. We need to get an infrastructure in place. I don’t think the project will ever be complete – the work is in its infancy.
“This isn’t the end – this is the beginning. I’m here for life and I’m never going away.”
To donate to the project go to www.friendsoflazarushomeforgirls.org.uk
Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/12/21/north-couple-set-up-care-home-in-palestine-61634-27859286/#ixzz18jksfQlT