Lunch with the ladies of St. Martha's House in Bethlehem

Vatican Radio's Philippa Hitchen is traveling in the Holy Land as part of a six day pilgrimage with Catholic leaders from Europe and North America weekend, hoping to provide both practical and spiritual support for the struggling Christian communities across Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

During the journey, Philippa had the chance to visit St. Martha’s House in Bethlehem, the first dedicated Day Care Centre for elderly ladies in Bethlehem.

The centre opened in May and is now well established as the regular meeting place twice a week for 35 elderly ladies to enjoy friendship and a healthy lunch.

The centre aims to provide for the elderly, through basic health care, hairdressing, pedicure, healthy meals, exercise classes, recreational trips, amusement activities and workshops.

Much of the original development and the ongoing running costs are provided by the charitable organisation Friends of the Holy Land, with contributions from the Catenian Pilgrimage Group.

Mrs. Laila Asfoura is the founder and director of St. Martha’s House. She explains that the elderly in the Christian Community in the Holy Land are facing particular difficulties as they are losing their traditional family support due to the emigration of their sons and daughters. With no social security and no home-care medical support, the suffering of the elderly is acute.

Proudly showing her a photograph album, she told Philippa that since the opening of the House last May, the ladies have received many visitors.

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