New Scout camp takes shape in Bethlehem

by NZ CATHOLIC staff
Two New Zealand members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem have visited the Palestinian Catholic Scout camp site for which their group raised nearly $22,000 earlier this year.
Pat and Suzie McCarthy with engineer Mr Habib Wadi’ Sleibi at the Bethlehem Scout centre.
The fundraising effort followed a request to the New Zealand section of the order from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which is the Catholic archdiocese of the Holy Land.
Suzie and Pat McCarthy visited the camp site, on the outskirts of Bethlehem, after leading a Catholic pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel.
The West Bank property, provided to the Scouts by the patriarchate, is in a Palestinian Authority area under Israeli civil and security control.
“A driver from the patriarchate took us down winding streets, with a few wrong turns, before we reached the site, in a barren valley among terraced and rocky
hills, with a few old olive trees,” said Mr McCarthy.
“At the site we met the engineer in charge, Habib Wadi’ Sleibi, who explained the project.
“The Scout centre, containing shower rooms for boys and girls, kitchen, medical clinic, storage area for tents, and an administration room, is almost completed.
“It is a solid concrete building, with long-lasting materials (including Spanish marble and local stone) designed to be maintenance-free for 15 years.
Heavy steel doors are provided for security in the winter months when the centre will not be used.
“On the roof are solar panels and five big water tanks — essential in an area where water is a scarce resource.
“The area in front of the centre will be landscaped to provide a flat area for tents and a seating area in amphitheatre style. Behind the centre a basketball
court will be established.”
The centre will serve around 2500 Catholic Scouts. New Zealand members of the equestrian order raised $21,900 to provide internal furniture for the centre,
plus tents and equipment.
In a letter of thanks, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal said: “Your group’s commitment to share of yourselves with others is a great blessing in the midst of the many needs of our people in the Holy Land.”

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