Changing Services - Days with the Social Workers at the YMCA in Hebron

The waiting list for the rehabilitation program is long at the YMCA of Hebron. The many roadblocks in the area limits the freedom of movement for the residents, and thereby the number of clients that can attend. Since climbing roadblocks for people in wheelchairs is, needless to say, an impossible job, the social workers are forced to travel to every one of their patients’ homes in order to monitor their rehabilitation

For the past six months, social worker Nadar Kallaf has been traveling from the YMCA in Hebron to the village of Bani Nain in order to visit his clients in the area. Every Sunday he defies the eight roadblocks on his path, hoping that the weather won’t add any additional obstructions in his way. In spite of his efforts, the damaged infrastructure limits his reach to three clients per trip, as he has to go by foot and change vehicles four times just to reach his first appointment. Under normal circumstances such a trip could easily be done in less than 30 minutes, but under occupation it’s a 2 ½-hour journey.

House visits would always be a part of the rehabilitating process, however in a more limited manner if other options were available. “Support for the families is a very important part of this work,” Nadar says. “They (the families) need support as well,” he continues, busy climbing into yet another Ford Transit, taking us from one of the main roadblocks between Hebron and Bani Nain near client number two. But there isn’t much time to show that support.

Changing Transits (referred to as services here) twice between every visit, the effort put into traveling exceeds the energy one has left for the visits itself. All together we spent less than 20 minutes in each of the three homes – just enough time for a cup of coffee and the necessary conversation, no more, no less. As a result, 45 minutes of the day were spent with the clients, while 4 hours and 45 minutes were spent on the services, crossing roadblocks and walking. Not exactly what one would characterize as the optimal usage of the social workers’ time, but under occupation it was a highly productive day since all three visits were made.

Asked about the limited amount of clients the staff is able to attend to, the supervisor of the Hebron branch, Ala Abu-Ayyash, replies with a tired expression while shrugging his shoulders: “What can we do? Three is actually a high number. When the siege was at its highest we couldn’t visit any clients at all.”

Returning from Bani Nain, it was concluded that it had been a good day for traveling, as we saw neither military nor police on our way. The same could be said for the day before, when social worker Basel Alharaab was a bit disappointed that I didn’t get to experience any of the “flying” checkpoints that normally roam the area. Upon arrival at the Al Isarah Charitable Society, in the village of Futah outside of Hebron, Basel looks at his watch, and wonders about the short duration of our journey. “Only 20 minutes! That’s really fast. Typical, now that you’re with me to see…” he said with a frown.

Working in the field of rehabilitation under occupation is a day-to-day battle, trying to carry out the day’s work regardless of curfews, roadblocks and checkpoints. “But then you get a smile from a patient, and …,” Ala stops in mid-sentence with a warming grin. “…and then you know we make a difference in these people’s lives,” he concludes.