Infrastructure improvements completed at Beit Ur al Tahta

Work on infrastructure improvements was completed in the West Bank village of Beit Ur al Tahta in October of 2009. The project installed street lights on the road leading to a new girls’ high school donated by the Shami Foundation and a road shoulder and sidewalk to provide safe access to the students who walk every day to the school. The improved roads and street lighting were made possible by a unique partnership between American Charities for Palestine (ACP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with generous contributions from the Sheikh Mohammed Shami Foundation and implementation by CHF International. The total cost of the project was $400,000.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on October 31st to celebrate the completion of the project was attended by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, USAID Mission Director for the West Bank and Gaza Howard Sumka, US Chief of Mission Daniel Rubenstein, Ambassador at the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mufeed al-Shami, and ACP Chairman Dr. Ziad Asali, as well as other senior officials, dignitaries and citizens of Beit Ur al Tahta.

Mr. Rami Shami, who hosted the event on behalf of his father Mr. Farouk Shami, welcomed Prime Minister Fayyad and the guests in his opening remarks and emphasized the commitment of his village and the surrounding area to development and working with the PA.

Prime Minister Fayyad emphasized the need to build the institutions of a state of Palestine and the significance of taking the initiative to build in spite of occupation, in order to end the occupation. He urged the public to participate in the effort to build their state and expressed confidence in achieving the goal of creating a viable, independent Palestine. He cited improvements on security, the economy and administration, and expressed his admiration of the philanthropic work of the Shami Foundation and ACP.

Consul General Rubenstein, who spoke in fluent Arabic, congratulated the people of the village on their achievement, emphasized the need for American-Palestinian cooperation to build the economy and the institutions of a future Palestinian state, and expressed American support for the PA and the Palestinian people in their efforts to develop their economy and institutions in order to reach a peaceful resolution and establish a state.

Dr. Asali emphasized the commitment of the Palestinian diaspora to help building a state of Palestine alongside Israel, and the need to mobilize that commitment through tangible and meaningful projects that impact the lives of the Palestinian people. He also emphasized the public-private partnerships needed to bring maximum benefits of the Palestinian people.

Mr. Sumka reiterated the importance of the ground-breaking partnership between USAID and ACP. Citing the project as an example of the success of the partnership, he told the audience, “The proof of the model is in the streets of your village.” He added, “We hope this is just the beginning of a future that will bring the resources and creativity of the Palestinian diaspora to our state-building enterprise.” Mr. Sumka concluded by thanking Dr. Asali for his vision, Mr. Shami for his generous contribution, USAID staff for their creativity, CHF International for their professionalism and dedication and the Beit Ur al Tahta Village Council for their leadership and commitment.

A horse show and marching band entertained the crowd, and a meal was offered at the Shami mansion for the 300 guests attending.

For Mr. Sumka's full remarks please click here