Former President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Türk visited Ramallah in January 2009. During his talks with President Mahmud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad special attention was dedicated to the humanitarian needs in Gaza where, among others, hundreds of children were injured in the armed conflict that winter. Although the physical and the medical rehabilitation system is developing in Palestine, injured persons, especially children, are still unable to benefit from proper treatment and the use of medical devices.
University Rehabilitation Institute of the Republic of Slovenia - URI SOČA has a rich experience in the rehabilitation of war victims and in education of professionals in the field of rehabilitation. It was therefore invited by the Office of the then President Türk to become partner in this outstanding humanitarian project.
Between 2009 and 2015 already 106 children were treated and 20 therapists trained thanks to the Republic of Slovenia and donors around the globe that expressed their willingness to support the project.
In September 2014 President Türk met with H.H. the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and with H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid Al Attiyah and presented them the readiness of his Foundation to proceed with the project, if adequate funds would be provided. H.H. the Emir decided to support the continuation of this important humanitarian initiative. Therefore the Memorandum of Understanding and the corresponding contract between the Qatar Development Fund and Danilo Türk’s Foundation LET THEM DREAM were signed in April 2015.
In the period between 2015-2018 approximately 100 disabled children will get rehabilitation and 30 therapists will get a special training program.
“You watch birds, while we watch fighter planes. You see flowers and trees, we see bombs.”
Duaa Albana (14 years old) lost both her sisters in an explosion in her front yard, as well as her hand from the wrist down.