Leila’s unique ability shines through in Palestine

In March 2017, a group of our supporters visited Palestine, where 2017 Alumni Honoree Dr. Jumana Odeh and The Palestinian Happy Child Centre provide treatment and care for children with disabilities. Watch the video below to meet Leila, one of the children our supporters met on their trip.

Leila is a joyful little girl who is loved by everyone she meets. She has many talents, including dancing like a rock star, counting from one to ten in English, and giving amazing hugs. Her warmth and enthusiasm for others shines through to her family, classmates, teachers, and friends. On our visit, her teacher proudly told us that Leila is everyone’s favorite. Leila is unique in other ways. She has Down syndrome, which occurs in just one in every 1,000 babies born every year. She was also born in Palestine, where children with special needs often face discrimination and limited access to specialized services. Children like Leila often have a hard time getting an education, receiving health care, or having opportunities later in life.

2017 Alumni Honoree Dr. Jumana Odeh founded the Palestinian Happy Child Centre (PHCC) in 1994 to make sure children like Leila receive the care they need. The PHCC not only provides therapy and specialized care for children, but also supports parents and educates the larger community about disabilities. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Odeh and the PHCC have provided comprehensive services to approximately 38,000 children and families in Palestine. Leila is one of those children. Thanks to the PHCC, she receives the specialized education, therapy, and medical services that she needs to thrive. Every day, she is surrounded by people who love her, just the way she is.

Celebrate the work of Dr. Jumana Odeh at the 2017 World of Children Hero Awards in Los Angeles, coming up on April 19!

Directors Biography
PHCC Team Biography
JAZEEL AWAD

Jazeel H. Awad, Head of the psychotherapy unit, was born in 7th April 1980, in Jerusalem – Palestine. She received her Master degree in Educational Administration and her B.A degree in Psychology and Sociology from Birzeit University in Palestine.

Work Experience: Deputy Director, Senior Psychologist, Project Manager and Training of Trainee at the Palestinian Happy Child Centre.

Membership: A Member at First Ramallah Group in Ramallah.

MAJEDA BASSALAT-3

Majeda M. Bassalat, Head of the Physiotherapy unit , she received her Major in Physiotherapy and Minor in Social Science from Bethlehem University in Palestine and her Diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation Program from Palestinian Medical Relief Committees in Palestine.

Work Experience: A Community physiotherapist with a long term involvement with children in need of therapy as well as trained volunteer workers, evaluate the health environment for the kindergarten safety and training of trainee for teachers and parents on preventative actions towards a healthier environment at the Palestinian Happy Child Center.

NANCY TANNOUS

Nancy G. Tannous, Head of the Occupational unit, was born in 14th April 1981, in Ramallah – Palestine .She received her B.A degree in Sociology from Birzeit University in Palestine.

Work Experience: Senior occupational therapist and Learning difficulties, Behavioral therapist and Training of Trainee at the Palestinian Happy Child Centre.

Membership: A member at orthodox Club in Ramallah.

ROWEDA MAALI

Roweda M. Maali, Head of the Speech and language therapy unit, was born in December 1973, in Ramallah – Palestine, She received her Diploma in Audiology and Speech therapy from Ministry of Social Development in Jordan.

Work Experience: Senior Speech and language delay therapist, Training of trainee at the Palestinian Happy Child Centre. Membership: – A member at the Community Services for Woman in Kufr –Ne’mah

ILHAM ABED AL-MAJEED

Ilham S. Abd Al-Majeed, Speech and language therapist  , was born in September 12 1981,in Tulkarem – Palestine, she received her B.A degree in Methods of Teaching English Language from Al-Quds University in Palestine and her Diploma in speech and Language therapy from Ramallah Women’s Training College (UNRWA) in Palestine.

Work Experience: Speech and Language therapist, training of trainee at the Palestinian Happy Child Centre

NADINE HABASH

Nadine G. Habash, Head of the Media and Communication unit, was born in November 23rd 1983 in Ramallah – Palestine, she received her Major in Radio and Minor T.V from Birzeit University in Palestine.

Work Experience: Administrative Assistant and Media communication

Donate

Palestinian Happy Child Centre “PHCC”

1. Name of the Bank: The National Bank (TNB) – Ramallah – Palestine
IBAN: PS33TNBC271100020052111000201
BENEFICIARY NAME: Palestinian Happy Child Centre (PHCC)
Address of the Bank: Ramallah PS
Swift Code: TNBCPS22

2. Name of the Bank: Cairo Amman Bank – Ramallah – Al Irsal Street Branch – 805
Account number (US$) :0250014299600
Account holder: Palestinian Happy Child Centre
Address of the Bank: Ramallah – Al Irsal Street Branch – 805
IBAN :- PS92CAAB 0805 0000 0250 0142 9960 0
Swift Code: CAABPS22

The FPHCC Bank info:

3. Bank: SUNTRUST BANK
Address: Orlando, Florida 32809 USA
Account Name: Friends of Palestinian Happy Child Centre (FPHCC)
Account Number: 1000134261196
Routing Number: 061000104
SWIFT Code: SNTRUS3A

PHCC friends and Supporters
  • Palestinian Local Communities.
  • The National Bank – Palestine
  • Birzeit Pharmaceutical Company – BPC – Palestine
  • PALTEL Group – Palestine
  • PHCC board members
  • World of Children – USA
  • JICA – Japan
  • Welcome Trust – UK
  • MAP – UK
  • KRSF “Karim Ridah Said Foundation” – UK
  • Said Foundation – UK
  • King’s College Hospital – UK
  • Royal College of Pediatrics & Child’s Health – UK
  • Foundation Aide Populaire D’Urgence ”FAPU” – Luxemburg
  • Friends of PHCC – Dubai
  • Friends of PHCC – Qatar
  • Friends of PHCC – USA
  • Friends of PHCC – Malaysia
  • Friends of PHCC – Holland
  • UNDP – Jerusalem
  • UNRWA – Jerusalem
  • UNICEF – Jerusalem
  • Italian Cooperation – Jerusalem
  • Government of Japan – Japan
  • Secours Islamique France “SIF” – France
  • Welfare Association – Jerusalem
  • World Vision – Jerusalem
  • CFD – Switzerland
  • CCFD – France
  • Pontifical Mission – Jerusalem
  • French Consulate – Jerusalem
  • MARAM Project – USA Jerusalem
  • PHR “Physicians For Human Rights” – USA
  • Save the Children – USA
  • Flagship Project – USA
  • IFHHRO – “ International Federation for Health and Human Rights” – The Netherlands
  • Juzoor for Health & Social Development – Jerusalem
  • Children’s Hospital – Harvard University – Boston – USA
  • University of Kentucky Medical Center – USA
  • Shafallah Center For Children with Special Needs – Doha – Qatar
  • Hamad Medical Center – Doha – Qatar
  • Children of Spain – Spain
  • Children of France – France
  • Mr. Talal Naseruddin – Palestine
  • Mrs. Rana Sabri Abu Issa – Qatar.
  • Mr. Issa Abu Issa – Qatar – Qatar.
  • Mr. Hussam Abu Issa – Qatar.
  • Mr. Ashraf Abu Issa – Qatar.
  • Mrs. Reem Subh – Qatar.
  • Mrs. Rugaia Faqih–Abu Issa – Qatar.
  • Mr. Ali Odeh – Palestine
  • Mr. Husein Odeh – Palestine
  • Dr. Tamer Isawi – Palestine
  • Mrs. Rifqa Hammoudeh–Odeh – Palestine
  • Mr. Mohammad Odeh – Palestine
  • Mrs. Dana Isawi – Palestine
  • Mrs. Tala Isawi – Palestine
  • Mr. Marwan Al-Qamzi – Dubai
  • Mr. Rami Malhas – Dubai
  • Mr. Sultan M. Al-Abdulla – Qatar
  • Dr. Hanan Ghazawi – Qatar
  • Mr. Jamal Abu Ghaida – Qatar
  • Mrs. Hala Abbas – Palestine
  • Dr. Karameh Kuemmerle – USA
Dr. Jumana H. Odeh

Biography

Dr. Jumana Odeh is a passionate pediatrician and public health expert. She is the founder and the Director General of the Palestinian Happy Child Centre for children with disabilities. Currently, Dr. Odeh is Faculty Director, FXB Disability Rights Program, Harvard University – USA, and a senior advisor at Shafallah Center for Children with Disability in Doha – Qatar.

She is a founding member of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, of the Palestinian Emergency Medical Service Council, of Juzoor Foundation for Health & Social Development and of the International Federation for Health and Human Rights Organization IFHHRO – The Netherlands.

Dr. Odeh has over 35 years of extensive experience in child’s health and public health. She served as a senior health consultant with various national & international organizations and universities, a senior child’s health advisor at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health in UK, UNICEF, Palestinian Ministry of Health, a president of Physicians for Human Rights/Palestine, and a board member of Atta Services/Aid to the Aged.

She is an author and co-author of numerous “evidence based” studies of the psychological impact of military occupation on children and youth, and a frequent articles’ writer for the International Herald Tribune.

Dr. Odeh is a winner of several awards; the “2008 Nobel Prize for Children”. Palestinian President’s Award, The “Humanitarian Hero of the Year Award 2013”,  AidEx – Brussels – Belgium. The 2015 TAKREEM Award for Humanitarian and Civic Services – Dubai, and the 2017 World of Children Alumni Award Honoree – Los Angeles -USA

View Jumana Odeh’s CV