On Tuesday, 12/04/2016, Bank of Palestine, Welfare Association, ANERA and Birzeit’s Municipal Council inaugurated the twentieth recreational park within “Al-Bayyara Parks” project, implemented by Bank of Palestine in partnership with several NGOs. The inauguration took place in the presence of Mr. Hasib Kaileh, Mayor of Birzeit Municipality, Mr. Hani Naser Assistant General Manager of Bank of Palestine, Mrs. Dima Irshaid, Director of Individual Funding at Welfare Association, Mr. Paul Butler, General Director of ANERA, and Mr. Saleh Tawafsha, General Manager of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. In addition to members of neighboring local councils to Birziet, a group on invitees and with the crowd’s participation with popular and national activities.
The inauguration of Birzeit’s Park complements the project implemented by the Bank and its partners to establish hundreds of recreational parks for children in different areas of Palestinian governorates. The project aims to provide safe places for entertainment to our Palestinian children, and reduce the number of causalities and victims of children due to playing in populated areas, in streets and alleys on annual basis.
Mr. Hasib Kaileh welcomed the inauguration of the new park at an archaeological area in Birzeit “Khirbeh”, which they planned to develop and implement several projects within. He added that “Al-Bayyara Parks” project is in line with the Municipality’s comprehensive vision and with its activities and establishments at the archaeological areas of Birziet. The park is a translation to the site management plan through the rehabilitation of the archaeological site to receive citizens and visitors. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Bank and the partners who contributed in implementing “Al-Bayyara Parks” project.
Mr. Hani Naser, Assistant General Manager of Bank of Palestine, confirmed that the opening of the new recreational park will support our children to have more entertainment activities and provides them with a safe and appropriate location to play away from streets and dangerous areas. He indicated that this park culminates another contribution by the Bank under its social responsibility. Naser added that the Bank dedicates 6% of its net annual profit to support development projects in the fields of education health, culture, art and in support of youth and women in addition to other humanitarian interventions; “Al-Bayyara” project is one of the most important development projects with sustainable benefit to our children.
Mr. Naser added that the establishment of one recreational park in a small Palestinian village will contribute to healthy upbringing of our children and will help them to think, develop and innovate. In addition, it allows children to spend distinctive and fun times with friends and family, which is rarely found in our communities, yet is greatly needed, just like in any other community in the world. The Bank’s initiative to create the parks became more compelling after painful accidents to many of the Palestinian children as they played in inappropriate areas; this unique contribution by the Bank aims to increase green areas and build civilized, humane and modern facilities for the Palestinian community to enjoy its services and beauty.
Mrs. Dima Irshaid from Welfare Association confirmed that “Al-Bayyara” project is within the Association’s strategy and goals for community development, particularly programs to develop facilities of institutions that provide services to all segments of society, children in particular. She added that “Al-Bayyara” project is a distinctive national project and that the project’s importance is due to its ability to provide a safe place for children to play and entertain themselves outside their houses, and provide a suitable place for parents to spend time with their children. In addition to strengthening community ties between families residing in the same neighborhood, and reduce the number of children casualties as a result of playing in public streets. Mrs. Irshaid thanked Bank of Palestine for its essential social contribution and Birzeit’s Municipal Council for their collaboration in the establishment of this park, indicating the importance of establishing other parks in villages and neighborhoods in order to preserve our Palestinian land and identity.
Mr. Paul Butler emphasized the importance of the project and its continuation to bless the Palestinian children with distinctive green areas that are suitable for play and growth. He thanked Bank of Palestine and expressed his gratitude to the Bank for its initiative to launch the project, which he considers one of the most important development projects in the country.
Furthermore, Mr. Saleh Tawafsha, General Manager of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, indicated the importance of the location of the park, in which the archaeological area in Birzeit is featured with a variety of cultures and civilizations and includes valuable archaeological sites. Tawafsha added that the “Khirbeh” area in Birzeit is linked to settlements throughout the historical eras due its strategic location. He indicated that the establishment of a new recreational park represents a unique model to utilize and revive the exceptional archaeological sites. In addition to its role in raising the awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and attract local and international tourism, in addition to connecting the local community to this location and attract investments towards it.